The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-15
BENJAMIN HARRIsoMs SOLDIER REcoRp.


In 1851 came President Lincon's call for troops He
had 100000 men Governor Morton Of Indiana
having trouble supplying his quota OF men One
day Harrison called with friend. William Wallace to
ask The governor to appoint VILLAGES cousin to second
ueutenaney They found Morton gloomy and discouraged
There is absolutely no response to Lincons call for
troops explained the governor. The people are follow
ing their private affairs so that it has come to be
serious question what shall do next to arouse them"
Governor, if be of any service viii 60" replied
Harrison Governor Morton answered at once: you can
raise regiment but would be asking too much Of you
to go into the field with it You have just been elected to
Office Go work and raise it, though. and we will find
somebody to command it, harrison that if he
Influenced others he must go himself The governor offered
to place him in command. q do want the
command the reply q know nothing of military tao
tics SO YOU can find another VINO has had experience
am not at all anxious to take command"
Harrison then left the court house and without going
nome bought military cap engaged a ffer and drum
mer hung out flag from his Office window and declared
opened recruiting station volunteers There was
rush of recruits for Company A. and then ranks Of the
regiment filled like magic Within thirty days after ne had
bought the military cap cooked it on his head Benia
min Harrison wearing of colonel at the head
OF fun regiment of troops Bowling Green XIV
assisting in repusng General Kirby Smith and his guerr
las. who were threatening southern Indiana This reg
ment was designated Seventeen Indiana and was
brgaded with the Seventyninth Ohio the One Hundred
and Second One Hundred and Fifth One Hundred and
Tventynnth Illinois under Brgadier General William II
Ward OF Kentucky This organization remained unchanged
during the war Harrison having OF the right
wing he held the older commission
His record soldier bear the closest insnaotion
Letters written at that time tell how Nashville the colo
mel was familiar figure carrying coffee pot out along the
picket lines that the hot coffee might help he men TO keen
aFe and ward of the dangers of the cold He frequently
addressed the boys in the absence Of the chaplain on
the Atlanta campaign with sherman his regiment crossed
sluggish stream by small bridge and with their picket
-1e suddenly driven in by the enemy, they foun them
selves lace 20 face with their opponents at the crest of
h- Az the moment the Southerners captured Union
battery 10 the night ana general stampede ensued Just
laen Harrison came tearing the front and rallied his
ue I4ey stood their ground charged recovered the hat
terry and saved the day AT Resaca his regiment was as
signed 20 position in direct range of the guns of bat
terry Tine Hre was terrific I've VIII obey orders and stay
here II y die In tracks. ne calmly told us men
at Peach Tree Creek he won his promotion His resi-
men had charsed and lost 200 in half hour His
regiment had been ordered in reserve but he saw detacb
ent q ooa forces coming toward them and knew that
lhefe should be no delay. Come on, boys" We have
never seen licked and now" he shouted and
cow" te tattered lines Went the rebels Harrison lead
Ing them the whole way. The rebels wer sharply re
anc Che result was observed by hotbooded Fighting Joe
Hooker
az Aafe you made brgadier general for this" he
reared as he came ZIP TO Harrison ripping out oaths And
sans joe was true TO ais word shortly afterwards
me ioio"ins letter went to the secretary of war:
Headquarters Northern Department Cincinnati. O
oc~ 81 1ool ne hon p IL stanton. Secretary Of war.
desire to cali the attention Of department to the
claims Of Colonel Benjamin Harrison Of the seventeen In
aaaa Volunteers for promotion to the Of brgader
general of volunteers
Colonel Harrison first joiuea in command Of a br
GAGE o. Ward division Ia Lookout valley preparatory
entering upon what IS called the campaign al Atlanta NJ
attention was first attracted to his young officer bv t
superior excellence of his brigade In discipline ana instc
ton the result Of his labor skim ana devotion with more
foresight than have witnessed in any officer of his expe
enee Re seemed 10 act upon the principle that success de-
palea upon tae thorough preparation in discipline and
esprit q bis command fer conflict more than on auy iaau
e4ee a' eoaa be ezerei in the field Itself ana when the
collision came his coumand vindicared his wisdom Re
e l Fa'oE- Id an the aeaiese-aents 81 The Ivent
en- torHs IL that carPaisn Colonel Harrison here cons
sp1o-s p-1 ~ Besaca and Peach Tree Greek tss CON
duct OF himself and command especially distinuisss
Colonel Harrison is IN ocer Of superior abilities ana ot