El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-07-06
Benjamin Lincoln
Is Forgotten Hero
Revolutionary General T. Made
Secretary OF War and Holds
Friendship Of Washington
Despite Reverse.

lIiiiiirirls
/ DENJA1IIN LINCOLN was born in
I u bingham. Mass, January %, 1888.
T in the same house wnere ne died May
O. 1910.
His father. Benjamin Lincoln. was
. a prosperous farmer and a highly re-
spected citizen
Young Benjamin received a good
common school education and though
a farmer by occupation until he was
20. he early in life interested himself
in the civil and military affairs OF the
county and province, serving as mag
4 lsLraler representative i'm the provin-
espousing the cause.
Lincoln's activity for the American
cause IN the provincial congresses Of
massachusetts and efficiency as a
militia officer secured his promotion
3 20 major generalship by the council
T OF Massachusetts He was made COM
manuer OF the regiments by his state
4 20 reinforce the army of Washington
IN New York and New Jersey joining
T. Washington at MorristOwu with a
new levy OF militia
T. Made Major General
In February, lfll, he was trans
lerred TO the continental service with
the rank Of major general In the
was, on the recommendation OF Wash
ington, entrusted with the command
Of the divisions Of the main army
Joining Schuyler's forces assembled to
oppose the progress Of Burgoyne.
Later, joining the army Of Gates, to
whom he was second I'm command,
during the battle OF Bemis Heights he
was severely wounded and compelled
TO retire from the service for nearly
"a year-a wound from which he suf-
Tered for several years
I'm 171S. the delegates I'm congress
' from South Carolina requested that
. body TO appoint Lincoln TO the COM
mand Of the southern army Reaching
Charleston in December Of that year
he began an active campaign cooper
atinE with count d Estaiug in the un-
successful assault on Savannah.
. Ashes defeat at Briar creek lost
nearly one fourth OF Lincoln's army.
stone Ferry was braVely fought by
Lincoln who being without sleep the
previous night was ten hours on horse
back at one sitting.
After an obstinate defence against
a superior force. he was obliged in the
spring OF 1850 TO capitulate Charles
ton 10 Sir Henry Clinton Though
u vauquished. Lincoln continued 10 en-
iov the undiminished respect and con-
! fidence OF the congress. the army and
the commanderinchieE
Admitted 20 parole he returned TO
/ bingham and few months later was
81 exchange He soon again Joined the
army Of Washington then occupying
the nigh grounds on the North river.
All eyes were now turned towards
Virginia and the armies Of Lafay-
cite and CORVALLIS. During the seige
Of Yorktown. Lincoln commanded a
central division. In consideration Of
both his merits and his mfsfOrtunes
COrnwallis's sword OF surrender
Becomes Secretary Of War.
On October 81, ISL he was chosen
by congress secretary Of war. with
power stiu 10 retain his military
rank After two years OF faithful
service in this position he returned
20 diEuified ease in his native state.
During this period he treated with the
i Penobscor Indians and was induced
20 take command OF the first division
Of the Massachusetts, militia He also
settled a tract Of land in Maine, one
OF the towns and counties in which
state are honored with his name.
In 1877 he commanded the forces
which oueued Shay's rebellion in
western Massachusetts, In the same
year he was elected lieutenant gov
ernor OF the state I'm 1883 he was
made collector Of Boston and IN the
same year was a commissioner TO
treat with the Creek Indians and in
1898 treated with the Indians north
Of the Ohio.
In the latter years or his lie ne
interested himself in literature and
] scientific pursuits and was one OF the
first members Of the American
Academy Of Arts and Sciences. In
I17SO Harvard honored him the degree
I Of master OF arts
In consequences OF the deformity
Of his left leg. caused by his wound
at Saratoga, he always appeared in
boots His hair was combed back
from his forehead. unpowdered and
] gathered in a long queue. he always
wore a blue coat and a coeked hat
He was DISTINGUISHED in private life
for warmth Of disposition. liberal
7 charity. generous hospitality. con-
] stancy in friendship, fOndness for the
I company OF the young and deep piety-