The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-07-19
Harrison and Cleyeland...1 S6l to 1868.

When the civil war broke out, Benjamin
Harrison had wife and two children, lived
in a house worth $4,000 on which he had
made small payment and needed his posi-
ton as Reporter of the Supreme Court in
addition to his ecant law practice, to sup
port his family. His situation was such
that he did not feel called on to volunteer
But when the reverses Of 1869 made it
necessary to call for SOC, 900 men, the stua-
ton was changed. Heroic Gov. Morton was
discouraged by the prevailing apathy and
he asked Harrison to raise regiment.
Harrison Mt once responded that he could
and would raise regiment. The Governor
said: y feel certain that you can raise
regiment, but would not ask you to do
more than that. know your situation, and
would not think of asking you to go your
self"
To this Harrison promptly and character
istically replied: .'Qf course shall go.
would not put myselfin the ridiculous posi-
ton of going out to make war speeches and
to urge my nei i to go where would
WITHOUT consultation with his wife or with
any friend, but with the energy and single
ness of purpose that is one of his
hest traits, he went directly from the
Governors Office to store, where he bought a
military hat, and then hired fifer and drum
mer and set them to work in front of his
within thirty days was at the head of Il full
regiment at Bowling Green, Kentucky, to help
in the rcpulse of Gen. Kirby Smith, who had
been threatening Southern Indiana with u
raid. The spirit that characterized the de-
scendant of a line of soldiers was recognized
by that able and quick appreciator of fight
ing qualities, iutighting Joe Hooker"
Creek, when, without orders. he
charged up hill against the rebels under
Hood, and so efectually that Hooker prom
Used him on the spot that he would make him
q Brigadier for that days work.
So Hooker sent this concise but glowing
Recommendation:
. The Hon. E: NJ: Stanton, Secretary of War
desire to call the attention Of the depart.
ment to the claims OF Col. Benjamin Harri-
son, of the Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, for
promotion to the rank Of brigadiergeneral
of volunteers.
Col. Harrison first joined me in command
Of a brigade Of Wards division in Lookout
what is called the campaign Of Allan
ia. My attention was first attracted
to this young officer by the supe-
rior excellence OF his brigade in discipline and
instruction, the result of his labor, skill and
devotion. With moro foresight than l have
witnessed in any Offices of his experience, he
seemed to act upon the principle that success
IL
discipline and esprit Of his command for con-
flict more than on any influence that could
be exerted in the field ITSELF and when the col
lisiOn came his command vindicated his wis
dom as much rs his valor. In ill the achieve
ments of the Twentieth Corps in that cam
bart At Resaca and Peach tree Creek the
conduct of himself and command were
especially distinguished Col. Harrisoni il an Of
ticor Of superior abilities and Of great pro-
fessQnal and personal worth. It gives me
great favor to commend him fayorablv to
fhe honorable Secretary with the assurance
that his preferment will be just recognition
Of his services and martial accomplish ments.
Respectfully your obedient servant.
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major=General Command
Such praise for superb Sighting qualities, by
such a splendid judge Of them as Hooker, Is
worth whole columns Of details As to the
honorable, consistent and noble military ca
reer Of Gen. Harrison, and We therefore have
made it conspicuous.
Such is the war record of Benjamin Harri-
son.
How docs it compare with that of the Buff
falo lawyer. Grover Cleveland, who was 80
stolid, apathetic and unpatriotic that there
is no record as to his ever having uttered q
single word in public, showing his preference
for the Union over the rebel cause, or his
sympathy with gallant neighbours and towns
men in the field, or concern for the triumph
Of the Union cause? How many, other men
Who for various reasons. remained at home
during the war, and :hadaH sort Of social
0r other standing, we're SO organized that
they GoYld remain all through those thrilling
times *lthent giEipE agy public evidence of
Hundreds of thousands Of just % pa
triotic Northern mon As went TO tho front
had good reasons for. remaining In their
paths OF home duty and usefulness, but can
any one of our readers, out of all his circle
of acquaintances, remember any case of
terror, numbness and silence, during periods
when even the moat apathetic became active
and the dullest and dumbost were most vo-
ciferous, at all comparable with that OF
Grover Cleveland7
Thus the two men were contradiction
were brought out in "the time that tried
niel' Z ecnls." Look at their war records
Study them. Gonlpnrp' them, and then re-
collect what terrific and prolonged trial of
Northern manhood, and patriotism'it was
Now York Mail and Express.