The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-11


october 20, 1861 before the completion of his
studies and before attaining his majority, he
was married. In March, 1854. he settled in In
annapolis. Ind, which has since been his
place OF residence. lie obtained desk room
VITA John II. Rea, and announced himself
10 tne world as attorney at law. Through
Tue kinoness OF friends. he was appointed crier
OF the federal court, the salary of which in
term Tine was $40 q Gay. The money he re-
ceiseo Tor this service was all that he earned.
ne story OF his earliest case is typical of the
man An indictment for burglary had been
found against an individual and Harrison was
Entrusted with the making OF the final argument
lac court was held at night and the room was
oimiy lighted with candles. He had taken full
notes OF the evidence, which he int 1ded to
READ from, and after his opening remarks he
turned to his papers, but owing to the Imperfect
light was unable to deoiphcr them. moments
embarrassment followed, but quickly casting
aside his notes and trusting to his memory he
continued. The verdict was in his favor, and
with this first success came increased business
anu reputation. Soon afterward Governor
Joseph A. Wright Entrusted him with legisia-
i've investigation, which he conducted
successfully. In 1856 he was invited by Will
lam Walacs to become his partner. He Is
described at that time "quick OF apprehen-
sion. clear, methodicai aud logical in his analy-
Sis and statement OF case" This connection
continued until 1850. when ii was succeeded by
that o. Harrison 4 Fishback. In 1860 his first
entry into active politics took place with his
nomination By the Republicans Tor the office OF
reporter of the supreme court He canvassed
the state for his party and in Rockville, Parke
county, he spoke at n meeting where Thomas A.
hendricks, the Democratic candidate FOR gov
ernor, was his opponent He had already at
tanned reputation rs an orator, but the ability
with which he answered point after point in
Governor Hendricks address gained for him in
yxrtfh ~ ond No
elected by a majority of 9,6SS. While he held
this Office the civil war began, and in 1862 he
assisted In raising the SEVENTEEN Indiana regi-
nent, III which he was made second lieutenant
when the regiment was completed, Governor
Oliver P. Morton appointed him colonel, and 1t
was hurried forward to join the army
under General Don Carlos Buell. at Bowling
Green, KY, then opposed bv the Confederate
forces under General Braxton Bragg. His first
independent action was as commander OF an
expedition sent against body OF Confederate
soldiers stationed at Russeilviile. Dividing his
forces, he surrounded the camp and captured
all their horses and arms, besides taking num-
Der OF prisoners. The SEVENTEEN Indiana was
given the right OF the brigade under General
William T. Ward and continued SO until the
close of the war. Colonel Harrison's command
was occupied chiefly in the West guarding rail-
roads and in fighting guerriilas. In this and
similar duties he was occupied until January,
brigade and added to the first division OF the
Eleventh army corps subsequently it was at
tached to the third division OF the Twentieth
army corps under General Joseph Hooker and
made the campaign from Chattanooga to At
lanta. His first engagement OF import
ance was that of Resaca, on May
a. 1864, where he led his command.
A few days later he took part in the capture OF
Cassvillc and then in the action at New Hope
church and Golgotha church. He participated
in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Peach
Tree Creek, at the latter OF which his gallantry
so pleased General Hooker that he wrote to the
secretary of war ''to call the attention of the
department to the claims OF Colonel Benjamin
Harrison, OF the Seventieth Indiana volunteers,
for promotion to the rank of brigader general
OF volunteers" General Hooker also said:
"My attention was first attracted to this young
officer by the superior excellence of his brigade
i'll discipline and instruction, the result OF his
labor, skill and devotion With more foresight
than have witnessed in any other officer of
his experience, he seemed to act upon the
principle that success depended upon the thor
ough preparation in discipline and esprit OF his
command for conflict more than on any infu-
ence that could be exerted upon the field itself,
and when collision came his command
vindicated his wisdom as much
as his valor. In all OF the
achievements of the Twentieth corps in that
campaign-from Chattanooga to Atlanta-Col-
onel Harrison bore a conspicuous part. At
Resaca and Peach Tree creek the conduct OF
himself and command was especially distin-
guished." When General Sherman reached
Atlanta Harrison was ordered to Indiana to OBJ
tain recruits, and he spent the time from Sep
TENDER to November in that work Owing to
the destruction OF railroads he was unable to
join General Sherman before the army made its
| march to the sea, and he was transferred to
Nashville. The winter OF 1s6i-5 he spent with
| - 4. I.,&
the spring he resumed command of his brigade
in the Twentieth army corps with which he re-
manned until the close OF the war. He then took
part in the grand review in Washington City,
and was mustered out on JuneS, 1865. The bravet
of brigadier general OF volunteers was conferred
upon him, to date from January %, 1866 "ior
ability and manifest energy and gallantry in
command of the brigade" To his men he was
familia!ly known rs Little Ben" and many
acts of kindness to his subordinates expressive
of his sympathy with them have been related.
General Harrison returned 10 Indianapolis
and assumed the duties of his office as reporter
of the supreme court, 20 which he was reelected
in 1861 by ma ority OF 1928. At the expiration
OF his term he declined Il denomination aud re-
sumed his practice OF law. During the rresi-
dental canvasses OF 1863 and 1872 he travelled
Indiana and addressed large audiences but did
not again enter politics until 1876, when he de-
clined the nomination for governor. Godlove s.
he withdrew aud General Harrison reluctantly
allowed his name to b, used in the hope of saw
ing Indiana to the Republican candidate
for the presidency. The work was begun too
late, and although an energetic canvass was
carried on James D. Williams elected by
plurality of 5,0Si in total vote of 4Sf457 but
General Harrison was 1000 stronger than his
party. In 1879 President Hayes appointed him
member of the Mississippi river commission
He was chairman of the delegation from Indiana
nj the national convention held in Chicago in
1850. and on the ballot that nominated James A.
Garfield he cast the entire vote o. his state for
that candidate. His own name was placed in
nomination at the beginning of the convention,
but although some votes were cast in his favor,
he persisted In Withdrawing. He accompanied
General Garfield on his trip to New York. and
participated in the speech making along the
route. Subsequently he was offered place in
the csbinet Of President Garfield but declined it.
The Republicans reCained control of the Iudi-
ana legislature in ;be'electon of 1850 and Cen
eral Harrison was chosen United states senator
and took his seat such on March 1, 1851, hold.
| ing it until March 3, 1887. His career in the
| senate marScd by the delivery OF numerous
| speeches on SUI jects OF general interest He
pronounced IN favor of a juicous tariff reform,
| advocated the rights OF the working classes op-
posed President Cievelasd's vetoes of pension
| bills. advised the restoration of the American
| navy, and voted for civil service reform In
lisa he was delegate at large from his state TO
! the national Republican convention held in
Chicago, and bis name wss again discussed in
| connection with the presidency. The Repu lican
| national convention of IsSS was held in Chicago
| in June. For some time previous he had been
| frequently referred 10 desirable candidate
for the presidency. aud the first ballot he re-
ceyed eighty three votes. standing fifth on the
-.