New-York tribune., 1901-03-14

soldiers stationed at Russeville KY. Dividing
his forces he surrounded the camp and captured
all the eneny's horses aad arms, besides taking a
had the right of the brigade under General
William T. Ward, and continued so until the
was occupied chiefly in the West guarding rail-
roads and fighting gIerillas. In this work
he was engaged until January, 1864, when he
was placed in command of his brigade, part
of the First Division of the Eleventh Army
Corps. Later his brigade was attached to the
! Twentieth Army Corps, under General Joseph
Hooker and he made the campaign from Chat
tanooga TO Atlanta.
HIS FIRST IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT.
General Harrison's first engagement of i'm
portance was at Res7cs, on May IA. 1864. where
he led his command. A few days later he as
sisted in the capture of Cassville and the actions
at New-Hope Church and Gogotha Church He
took part in the battles of Keresaw Mountain
and Peach Tree Creek at the latter Of which his
wrote to the Secretary of War TO call the at
tentIon of the department to the claims of
Colonel Benjamin Harrison, OF the 10th Indiana
Volunteers. for promotion u the rank OF orlga-
dier-general Of volunteers" General Hooker also
said: MY attention was first attracted 10 this
young officer by the superior excellence OF his
brigade in discipline and instruction. the result OF
his labor, skill and devotion With more FORE
sight than have witnessed in any officer OF his
experience he seemed TO act upon the principle
that success depended upon the thorough prepa-
ration in discipline and spirit OF his command
could be exerted upon the field itself. In all of
the achievements of the Twentieth Corps in that
campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta) Golohei
Harrison bore a conspicuJ Jus part. AT Resaca
and Peach Tree Greek the conduct of himself
and his command was especially distinguished.
When General sherman reached Atlanta Colonel
Harrison ordered to Indiana TO OBTAIN re-
cruits. and the time from September TO Novem-
ber 1864 was spent in this work Owing 10 the
destruction of the railroads, he was unable 10 re-
join General Sherman before he made his march
TO the sea, and he was transferred to Nashville.
Tha al
George H Thomas in Tennessee. but in the spring
he resumed command of his brigade in the Twen-
teth Army Corps. with which he remained until
the close of the He then took part in the
grand review at Washington, and was mustered
out on June s. 1865. The brevet of brigadier-
general was conferred upon him, 10 date from
January 23 1860 for ability and manifest energy
and galantry'' in command of his brigade. To
his men he was known Little Ben and
many acts of kindness to his subordlrates have
been related.
FROM CAMP TO COURT AND SENATE.
In the fall of 1864 General Harrison was elected
reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court. and in
the same year he became member of the law
firm of Porter, Harrison G Fishback. Porter
(Albert CD was elected Governor of Indiana in
1880 In 1876 General Harrison the Repubt-
can candidate for Governor. He was averse to
accepting the nomination, but he made such
gallant fight to win the admiration Of the coun
try. He led his ticket by 1000 votes. and though
unable to withstand the drove of mules" which
General Barnum sent into the State, he Won
gained by victory. In 1879 or 1880 he aided the
Federal Government in prosecuting certain Demo-
cratic conspirators for importing haIlot-box stuff
ers into Southern Indiana. Their leader was con-
victed and was sentenced to the penitentiary.
HIS CAREER IN THE SENATE.
In January. 1881 General Harrison was elected
to the United States Senate, to succeed Joseph r.
Mcdonald (Dem). When the contest for the Sem
atorship opened. late in December. 1850, there
three leading candidates besides General
Harrison. They VIII Cumback, Godlove :.
orth and Walter Q. Gresham. Judge Gresham
was the first 70 withdraw Mr.. Orth virtually re-
tired soon after but did not withdraw his name.
On January 10. 1881, Mr. Cumback withdrew from
the canvass. having convinced himself that
iOrty OF the Republicans in the Legislature IA
vored the nomination Of General Harrison and
would vote for him in caucus. In announcing
his decision to General Harrison he wrote as fol-
lows: Believing ii possible for disappointed
candidate 70 render 10 a successful rival sincere
and hearty congratulations, | know YOU will ac-
cept mine" General Harrison received the eau
Gus nomination and on January Is he received
the fun Republican vote in each house Of the
Legislature The election completed the
following day IN the joint convention.
His term OF six years as senator OF the United
States established General Harrison's reputation
as sound and enlightened statesman and
ready. finished and powerful debater. The more
his record In the Senate is studied the clearer
pears his claim high place among lawmakers.
His Dakota report and speeches. his speech on the
Edmunds resolution concerning Civil Service re-
form his speech condenning the wholesale i'm
: migration Of contract labor. and his speeches
against alien ownership OF large tracts of the Ma
tional domain indicate the broad lines along
which his activities manifested themselves. His
record the Chinese question needs nothing
moro than this simple statement 10 show the folly
Of those who once distrusted him that score:
when the first Chinese bill was before the Senate
he opposed certain features of IL. because he
thought they were in conflict with the provisions
Of existing treaties; but he moved TO amend
those portions Of the bill that they might be
In accord with hts view of the treaties mentioned.
Those who were in favor Of the bill steadily voted
the N order In
his consistency General Harrison thus obliged
to vote against the bill which finally passed over
the Presidents veto. When the next Chinese bill
was before the Senate General Harrison ab-
sent and did not get chance 10 upon II.
When the next bill came before the Senate-the
one commonly called the Page bill-it
ferred TO the Committee on Foreign Relations. of
which he then a member. That committee
unanimously voted TO report the bill favoraby,
General Harrison voting with the other members
Of the committee When il came before the Sen
ate it passed. General Harrison voting for it,
Senator Fair said in the Senate that this by
all means the best Chinese bill which had been
proposed" and otherwise spoke in high terms of
the bill
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO THE CAUSE OF
HONEST MONEY.
One of General Harrison's strongest titles 70
public respect and admiration was found in the
fact that when the imitation craze spread over the
country and swept from their moorings many
who have since lived 10 regret their infatuation
he never wavered in his fidelity TO the cause Of
honest money. His position on the question Of
Civil Service reform was indicated by the follow
ing sentences in the speech with which he opened
the Indiana campaign of 1882: Il want 10 assure
you tonight that | am an advocate Of Civil Ser
wee reform My brief experience at Washington
mas ied me often TO utter the wish with an en-
phasis do not often use that I might he forever