The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-27
llarrison and Cle,ei.na...lsel 10 1865.

When I he civil war broke out, Benjamin
Harrison l,,,i n wife md two children, lived
in n house worth $2.M'O IN which lie had
made n small payment and needed his posi-
ton as Reporter "f the Supreme Court in
addition to his scant law practice, to sup
HAT he did not feel called on to volunteer.
Hut when the r"v"rsrs If 1859 made it
necessary tor,ll for sou 900 men. the sittla-
tion was changed. Heroic Gov Morton was
discouraged by TIL" prevailing apathy md
Il" asked Harrison I" rails" II regiment.
Harrison at once rsl"'nl"l that he could
and would i:,>rn regiment. The Governor
said: II feel certain that y"n can raise a
regiment. hut | would not ask YOU to do
NOR, than that. know your situation. and
would not think of usking you to go your
self
7" this Harrison promptly and character
istiraIly replied: 'Uf course shall .,, l
would not put mys,fin tho riliruln,ns posi-
ton "fgoing ont To max" war sluas.lWs and
I" urge my "ighhors to go where would
not ;sn myself.
Without consultation with his wifi or with
any FREUD, hut with til" energy and single
n.*s Of purpose that is one Of Ills
hest traits. hr went directly from the
Governors. "tIicr toa store. where he bought
military hat, nll,! then hired i, tifcr and drum
lnrr and set them to work in front ofhis
"ili"r: li,isr'l - company i'll a few days. and
nithn thirty days was at the head Of II full
regiment at Rowling GrrI. ntmrky. to help
in the ."l.ulsr "rtirn. Kirby Smith, who had
been threatening Southern Indiana with u
raid. The spirit that rharar,crizcl the de-
s'"n,lant OLA line at soldiers wits recognized
hy HAT alb" and .Iuirk nrprr.;,tor Of fight
ing qualities, Fighting Joe Hooker"
wh" saw Harrison, ut Pcachtree
Greek. when. without orders, he
charged up hill against the rrlmls under
nfi., hat Il.
is's him on theslot that Il" would make him
l'ri";'li.rinr that days work
:" Hooker sent this colcisc but glowing
recommendation:
I'll" Hon. l.. NJ. Stanton. Secretary of War:
dcsiI" 0rall the attention of the depart.
mrnt to tn" claims oflnl. lscnjaniin lIarri-
son. of the sirven,rtlt Indiana Volunteers, for
pron"li,M To the rank of brga.lirr general
Of volunteers.
Col. Harrison first joined mo in command
OF a brigade of Wards division in Lookout
valley preparatory To entering upon
what is called tn" campaign Of Allan:
Ia. My attention WAS first attracted
I" this young officer 10y the suIn'-
rior excellence OF his brigade in discipline and
instruction, tn" result of his labor, skill and
devotion. With more foresight than l have
witnessed in amy offices of his experience, he
seemed to act upon the principle that success
depended upon the thorough preparation in
tlht more than on any influence that could
h" cxcrt" in the field itself. and when the col
liSion cam" his command vimdiratcd his wis
dom as much as his vnnr. In all the achieve
m"n,s of the Twentieth Corps in that cam
rniSn Col; Harrison bore conspicuous
part. At llcsarn and Peach tree Creek the
conduct Of himself and command were
especially dist inguishcl.Col IIartisonis an Of
tirl.r of superior abilities and of great pro-
G.ssionai and personal worth. II gives me
great favor to commend him f;,vor;,llv to
I il" honorable Secretary with the assurance
that hi: pIrIi'rncnt will h" IL just recognition
at Ills services and martial accomplishments g..
Respectfully your nt"irnt servant.
JOSEPH HOOKER, MMjor-Gcneral Command
ing.
S,cl, praise for superb fighting qualities. by
such n splendid judge Of them az Hooker, is
worth whole columns Of details na to the
| honorable. consistent and noble military ca
r~r Of Gen. HARRISON and We therefore have
| made il rulis,I..uuls
Such is the war record of Benjamin Harr.
| sON.
| low does it compare with that Of the Buf.
inin lawyer. Grover Cleveland who was 80
stoli,l. aImt hctic and ununtrintic th,t thor.
is no record ns To his ever havin. uttered n
single word in public. showing Ills rrrfrrcnc.
| for the Union over the rebel cause or M.
sympathy with gallant mighhnrs and towns.
| mrn'in The field, or concern for the tru,nul,
OF Tue Union cause! How many other men
| who for various reasons. remained at home
during the war. aud had any sort of social
| or other stanling,' were 80 organized that
they could remain all through those thrilling
times without giving any public evidence Ol
| their patriotic emotion?
Hundreds Of thousands of just US pa
triotic Northern men us went to tho front
had good reasons for remaining in their
paths Of home duty nnd usefulness, but car
of ac4naintances, remember any casc d
terror, numbnrss and silence. during periods
when even the most npathetc became active
md the dullest nn, dumlest were most vo.
cil"rous. at all comparable with that Of
| Grover Cleveland?
Thus the two mon were cOntrastetl-or
were brought ont-in "thc time that tried
mons souls" Look ut their war records.
study them. Compare them, and then 70.
collect what II terrific and prolonged trial OF
Northern manhood, and patriotism it was-
! New York Mail aud Express. ,.~S-