Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

of Indiana responded. Gov. Morton was doing
his utmost to remove the apathy which was so
dlscouragingly apparent in the hoosier state,
but with only little success. 1t was perhaps,
from the Union standpoint, the gloomiest
period of the war. On one of the darkest days
an indianapolis lawyer named Benjamin
Harrison, who had been active in political and
business matters, and who had inst been
elected reporter Of the state supreme court,
called upon Gov. Morton, discussed the situa-
ton and gave utterance to the sentence with
which this chapter opens. In that place and
at that time was born the patriotic revival
which swept through the state and gave to the
Union army some of the bravest men and most
effective organizations developed in the
military history of the United States.
Very willingly did the governor give author
ity to Harrison for the raising of regiment,
but he said it would hardly be fair to ask
Harrison to go into the field with it because of
his recent election to an important and profit
able position. The first thing to be done was
to recruit the regiment; it would not be SO
difficult to find man who could command it
Then was made plain the temper of the
modest volunteer. He put himself on record
most emphatically to the effect that he would
NV "oh any hlou tOsoo W sic HOut Wulte ue
(Harrison) stayed at home. He would 60 out
with the Indiana boys and would stay with
them so long as life and the ability to move
remained with him. Thereupon Gov. Morton
told him he could command the regiment
Such Instant exaltation was not accepted. Mr..
Harrison said he realized the enormous re-
sponsibility of command and he also realized
his own lack of tactical knowledge. He would
60, but it would suit him better to 90 in less
conspicuous capacity.
When that conversation came to an end Mr.
Harrison had fully made up his mind to leave
behind him all civil pursuits, to bid farewell to
his family, and to devote his life, If necessary,
to the cause Of liberty and humanity There
was no delay, no attempt to settle private bust
ness affairs. From the moment when the goy-
erpor accepted Lis proifered assistance no was
calmly enthusiastic-a quiet but effective
worker.
RAISING REGIMENT.
1t was but few steps from the governors
presence to hat store, and there Mr.. Harrison
purchased a military cap. Then he secured
the services Of fifer and drummer. hung q
big flag out Of his Office window, and at once
commenced to recruit company A of the seven
tieth regiment Of Indiana volunteers. The task
was a comparatively easy one and as soon as
the'company was complete it wen. under can
vas for instruction. In that camp the company
was drilled by an expert whom Mr.. Harrison
employed and who was remunerated out Of
Mr.. Harrison's own pocket.
The first official and documentary evidence
OF military service which passed between the
state Of Indiana and the young lawyer was a
commission second lieutenant This made
Mr.. Harrison part of company A, but it did
not serve to confne his zeal. He drilled
assiduously and studied at every possible
opportunity, but he gave largely of his time
and eloquence to those who were engaged in
raising other companies. After awhile the
regiment was complete and then Gov. Morton
made colonel of the second lieutenant of
company A.
WORK For COL HARRIsONs MEN.
1t was green regiment, but the country
had work for 1t to do. Before the men knew
how to handle their guns tho SEVENTEEN
Indiana was called upon to assist in check
ing the northward march of Bragg and Kirby
Smith. Temporarily Col Harrisons command
was brigaded under Gen. Dumont, and it was
while SO assigned, stationed at Bowling Green.
KY, that the seventieth's colonel started In to
build up soldiers record. Col Harrison was
sent to upset rebel force located in RUSSELL
vile and succeeded in spite OF difficulties
which might easily-at that early period Of the
Em-have baked more experienced soldiers
Than he. The train upon which his command
travelled was stopped by burned bridge.
lngeniously and with extraordinary rapidly
the structure was repaired to such an extent a.,
to make crossing safe, and the result was 4
surprise aud q Union victory.
AFTER returning with prisoners and spoils the
SEVENTEEN was brigaded with the seventy-ninth
Ohio, the hundred and second, hundred and
fifth and the hundred and twenty uli-
nois, under Brig. Gen. W. T. Ward, and It was
q rather strange fact that tho same regiments
composed that Same brigade throughout the
entire course Of the war.
Very speedily the brigade moved to Scots
vile, Ky, and from thence to 0ailatin, Tom,
Guarding the Louisville and Nashville road
between Gallatin and Nashville occupied two
months Of time. and then four months were
devoted 70 guerilla hunting and perfecting the
commands In tactical natterA When the
brigade moved to Murfreesboro II vas made .
portion Of Gen. Granger's reserve corps. and
Hhila 70 aaaigued did most dnuQnrona 1nfx n