The Indianapolis journal., 1901-04-03
TRIBUTE OF COMRADES
GEORGE III. THOMAS POST ADOPTS A
HARRISON MEMORIAL.
The Military Career of the Late Ex-
President Reviewed in Detail
"A Brave Soldier.

At a meeting OF George II. Thomas Post,
last night, the committee previously ap-
pointed, composed of John b. Elan, Rich
ard NJ. Smock and NJ. G. McLain. sub
mitted the following Harrison memorial:
When the war for the Union began
Benjamin Harrison was twenty-SeVen years
cid. He had already achieved a good posi-
ton as lawyer and public speaker, and
had exhibited in a marked degree the
qualities that have made him a prominent
Hgure IN our national history. The con-
cusionS of a mind singularly clear and
alert were acted upon with promptness
ana courage. His patriotism was high anu
his love OF justice and freedom passion.
when the call for 100000 volunteers came
In 1862, 1T was plain that there must be
response from many who had no special
fondness for military life and who must
leave behind much that men value. Ben
Jamln Harrison did not hesitate, but leav-
ing his young wife and little children, his
growing business and the public office to
which he had been elected he took the
field at the head of the first Indiana regi-
ment raised TO meet this call. With char
aoteristic energy and devotion TO duty he
set about learning the business of sol
dier and soon became thorough dis
ciplinarian and one of the most accom-
plished and efficient officers in the army.
He was constantly with his regiment, the
SEVENTEEN Indiana, until the close OF the
Atlanta campaign, but as senior colonel OF
the brigade was in command of il much of
the time. In the desperate battle of
ReSaca, Colonel Harrison led the charge
upon the enemy's battery i'm person and
was in the thickest OF the fight. Engage
ments in which he took part followed in
quick succession and Dalton, New Hope
Church. Cassville. Burnt Hickory. Kene-
saw and Peach Tree Creek became historic
names.
''At Peach Tree Creek General Hood as
sumed the offensive and made determined
effort to break the Union lines. A gap in
the line assailed was left by some mistake
and a large force of the enemy were ad-
vancing 10 pass through ii and cut Sher-
mans army in twain Colonel Harrison, in
command of the brigade. and our cOmrade
Gen. John Coburn, with his brigade, rushed
their commands forward without waitins Z
for orders, and after heroic fight closed
the opening in the Union lines and prevent
ed a great disaster. For his quick recog-
milton of the crisis and prompt action in
meeting it, Colonel Harrison was recon-
mended for promotion by Geenral Hooker,
who commanded the corps of which his bri-
gade was part.
Acting under orders he left the army 1T
Atlanta and returned to Indiana to engage,
under the direction of Governor Morton, in
campaign OF a very different kind, but
not less important. 1t was essential that
Indiana should cast her vote for Lincoln
and stand with the North for the prose-
cution OF the war, and Colonel Harrison
with many others made such a campaign
as has rarely been witnessed
Immediately after the reelection OF
President Lincoln he started for his regi-
ment and by a miSShap narrowly missed
the last train that went through to Sher-
man before the march TO the sea. He was
given command of a brigade under Thomas
and took part in the battle of Nashville.
where Hoods army destroyed. He then
started to rejoin his regiment, but was de-
layed by illness and reached his old COM
mand a few days before the surrender of
Johnson.
'All accounts of his military career agree
as to his fine soldierly qualities He led
his men and all learned to trust him. Amid
the sterner duties of a soldier he always
found time TO care for the comfort of his
troops. Food and clothing had careful at
tention and his veterans speak feelingly
of visits to the picket line with hot coffee
up wounds when surgeons were not at hand,
lending his horse to tired and sick soldiers
and many other acts of kindness and
thoughtful sympathy such go to make
a commander that men willingly follow
anywhere.
Whether the service was conspicuous or
not, it was always performed with the most
scrupuous fidelity. In later life the ster-
ling qualities that made him a good soldier
enabled him to add luster to an honored
name and raise his State and Nation in the
worlds esteem. His memorial a public
man will be recorded on the pages of our
Country's history and the lesson of his life
becomes a part of the heritage of coming
generations. For him the last earthly tat
too has sounded and he has gone to rest.
His Comrades that remain will follow him
one by one. The lesson of his great life
is clear. Whenever we recall the name ot
on new devotion TO every duty of life, and
though difficulties and darkness gather
about us. go forward to the end with a
steadier courage and firmer faith"