Wichita eagle., 1888-07-22
HARRiSON'S PROMOTION.
Tho Sto-y Of the Generals Calamity Al
Peach Tree Crack

/ Tho Sto-y Of the Generals CALAMITY at
Peach Tree Greek.
! In July, 1852, Governor Morton, under the
| cali Of the President for 100000 three-years
| troops, requested Harrison to assist IN re-
cruiting the regiment from the Sixth Indi-
ana district, under that call the quota from
! each district being one regiment His was
the first recruiting commission issued by
the Governor for the Seventeen Regiment,
bearing date of July IA, 1862, and making
him a second Lieutenant. He inspired en-
thusiasm wherever he went, and soon
raised Company A, of which he was elected
| Captain. Then he assisted in filing up the
other companies of the regiment, which
was complete and ready to go to the front
IN less than one month, and was made its
Colonel. Governor Morton suggested,
when Harrison took out his recruiting CON-
mission, that it would be too much to ask
him to surrender the civil Office to which he
had just been elected, and that he would
find someone else TO take the regiment to the
field. Colonel Harrison preferred how
ever. TO go to the front, saying that he
would not ask a man to go where he himself
would not go, showing a soldierly quality
thatmarked the whole Of his military career
After a variety Of service in Kentucky
and Tennessee during the next eighteen
months. up TO January, 1884, Colonel Harri-
! sons regiment was formally assigned to the
FIRST Brigade UFard's) Of the Third Division
Of the Twentieth Army Corps, and with this
organization he served until the close Of the
war. During the Atlanta campaign Colonel
Harrison won the highest honors of SOL
der. His regiment was assigned the duty
Of leading the assault at ReSeca on the 18th
of May, 1854, and most galiantiy did he head
it in that terrible work. capturing the en-
emy's lines and four guns. Again at Peach
Tree creek, while in command Of the brig
ade. he gained such signal victory as to
call forth the highest praise from his SUI
perlor officers for his soldierly qualities.
General Hooker rode the lines the day after
the fight, and as he shook hands with the
young commander, said: Harrison, by
Cd. Ill make you Brigadier-General for
this fight" and his word Of mouth on the
battlefield was supplemented by the follow
ing hearty letter of communication written
to the Secretary of War few months later:
HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DEPARTMENT,
CINCISNATI, O., October y, 1904.
Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
l desire to call the attention of the de-
partment to the claims Of Colonel Benjamin
Harrison, of the Seventeen Indiana Volun-
tScTS, ipI pIOLiOsIOu " tl1c Iduh VI Dig
adier-General volunteers.
Colonel Harrison first joined ne in COM
mand of brigade OF Wards division in
Lookout valley preparatory to entering
upon what is called the campaign Of Allan
ia. Ny attention was first attracted to this
young officer by the superior excellence Of
his brigade in discipline and instruction,
the result of his labor, skill and devotion
With ynora forpcj~-l,t thao I hove 1rl-npccnd
in any officer Of his experience, he seemed
to act upon the principle that success de-
pended upon the thorough preparation IN
discipline and spirit Of his command for con-
fict more than on any influence that could
be exerted in the field itself, and when
collision came his command indicated
his wisdom as much as his valor In
all the achievements of the Twentieth
Corps IN that campaign Colonel Harrison
bore a conspicuous part. At Reseca and
Peach Tree creek the conduct of himself
and command were especially distinguished.
Colonel Harrison is an officer of superior
abilities and great professional and per-
s0nal worth. 1t gives me great favor to
commend him favorably to the honorable
Secretary with the assurance that his prefer
laent will be a just recognition Of his serv-
ices and martial accomplishments. Very
respectfully, your obcdient servant,
JOSEPH HOOKER,
MajOr-General Commanding.
During the absence OF General Harrison
il the field the Democratic Supreme Court
declared the office of Supreme Court Re-
porter vacant, and another person was
elected to the position From the time of
leaving Indiana with his regiment until the
fail of 1864, after the capture Of Atlanta,
General Harrison had taken no leave of ab-
sence; but having been nominated by the
State convention OF thct year for the office
from which he had been Ousted, he took
thirty-day leave Of absence, and, under or
ders from the War Department. reported
to Governor Morton for duty. During that
thirty days leave he again made brilliant
canvass Of the State, and was elected for
another term. Then he reioined the army,
was in the siege and battle of Nashville,
and served until the surrender of JohnstOn,
and was with his command at the final
grand review Of the Union forces at Wash
ington at the close of the war;