New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-07-18
Harrison and Cleveland...1se1 to 1865.

When the civil war broke out, Benjamin
Harrison had a wife and two children, lived
in a house worth $4,000 on which he had
made a small payment and needed his posi-
ton as Reporter of tho Supreme Court in
addition to his scant law practice, to sup
port his family. His situation was such
that he did not feel called on to volunteer.
But when the reyerses of 1862 made it
necessary to call for 500, 900 men, the situa-
ton was changed Heroic Gov. Morton was
discouraged by the prevailing apathy and
he asked Harrison to raise regiment.
Harrison at once responded that he could
and would raise q regiment. The Governor
said: Il 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 'Of course shall go. i
would not put myself in the ridiculous posi-
ton of going out to make war speeches and
to urge my neighbors to go where would
not go myself"
Without consultation with his wife or with
any friend, but with the energy and single
ness of purpose that is one of his
best traits, he went directly from the
Governors office to store, whereh he bought a
military hat, and then hired a tifer and drum
mer and set them to work in front of his
office; raised company in few days, and
within thirty days was at the head of a full
regiment at Bowling Green, Kentucky, to help
in the repulse of Gen. Kirby Smith, who had
been threatening Southern Indiana with a
raid. The spirit that characterized the de-
sesRdant of a line Of soldiers was recognized
by that able and quick appreciatef ST t fight
ing qualities, Fight ting 6 Joe Hooker
who saw Harrison, at Peachtree
Greek, when, without orders, he
charged up hill against the rebels under
Hood, and SO effectually that Hooker prom
ised him on thespot that he would make him
Brigadier for that days work
So Hooker sent this concise but glowing
recommendation
The Hon. p. 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 brigadier- general
of yolunteers.
Col. Harrison first Joined me in command
OF a brigade of Wards division in Lookout
valley preparatory to entering upon
what is called the campaign of Allan
ia. My attention was first attracted
to this young officer by the supe-
rior excellence OH brigade in discipline and
instruction, the result of his labor, skill and
devotion. With more foresight than l have
witnessed in any Offices of his experience he
seemed to act upon the principle that success
depended upon the thorough preparation in
discipline and esprit of his command for con-
f1lct more than on any influence that could
be exerted in the field itself, and when the col
lision came his command indicated his wis
dom as much as his yalor In all the achieve
ments of the Twentieth Corps in that cam
paign Col Harrison bore a conspicuous
part. Al Resaea and Peach tree Creek the
conduct of himself and command were
especially distinguished Col. Harrison is an of
6cer of superior abilities and of great pro-
fessional and personal worth. 1t gives me
great favor to commend him faYorablv to
the honorable Secretary with the assurance
that his preferment will be a Just recognition
of his services and martial Accomplishments
Respectfully your obedient servant
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-G General Command
ing.
Such praise for superb fighting qualities, by
such 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 does it compare with that of the Buff
falo lawyer. Grover Cleveland, who was SO
stolid, apathetic and unpatriotic that there
is no record as to his ever having uttered a
single word in public, showing his preference
for the Union over the rebel cause on his
sympathy with gallant neighbors 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 had any sort of social
or other standing, were SO organized that
they could remain all through those thrilling
times without giving any public evidence Of
their patriotic emotion?
Hundreds of thousands of just as pa
tr1otc Northern men as went to the 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 acquaintance, remember any case Of
terror, numbness and silence, during periods
when even the most apatnetic became active
and the dullest and dumbest were most vo-
ciferous, at all comparable with that OF
Grover Cleveland?
Thus the two men were contrasted-or
were brought out-in the time that tried
mems souls. Look at their war records
Study them. Compare them, and then re-
collect what terrific and prolonged trial Of
Northern manhood, and patriotism it was
New York Mail and Express.
i ,T-.sr.A.--....