Brevet Brigadier-General Benjamin Harrison, U.S.V.

General Benjamin Harrison (President of the United States) is the son of John Scott Harrison, and grandson of General Wm. Henry Harrison, President of the United States from March 4 to April 4, 1841. He was born at North Bend, Indiana, in his grandfather's house, August 20, 1833, graduated from Miami University in Class of 1852; he subsequently passed through a legal course, and began practice of law at Indianapolis in 1854.

In the early part of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Harrison tendered his services to Governor Morton, of Indiana, and the latter authorized him to raise a regiment. When the regiment was complete, Governor Morton voluntarily commissioned Mr. Harrison colonel of the Seventieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers.

Colonel Harrison's first experience as an independent commander was when he was sent on an expedition against a body of rebels lodged at Russellville. When within about ten miles of the town he was stopped by a burned bridge. He made a temporary structure, pushed on with his train over the temporary bridge, and arriving at a proper point, he with energy attacked the rebel camp. The surprise was complete. Forty rebels were killed and wounded, while only one Union soldier was killed. He captured ten prisoners and all the horses and arms.

When General Ward returned to the command of the brigade, Colonel Harrison resumed that of his regiment. Colonel Harrison participated in the Atlanta campaign, and was engaged in the battles of Resaca, where, in charging a battery, he was amongst the first to cross the parapet. He also assisted in the capture of Cassville; was engaged at New Hope Church, and commanded his brigade in the engagements at Gilgal Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach-Tree Creek, and Nashville. After the last-named, Colonel Harrison was occupied in the pursuit of Hood's army, and through many difficulties penetrated as far as Courtland, Alabama. He was then ordered to report to General Sherman at Savannah. At Pocotaligo he was assigned to a brigade, with which he joined Sherman at Goldsborough.

At the close of the war Colonel Harrison was made brevet brigadier-general of volunteers, to date from January 23, 1865, "for ability and manifest energy and gallantry in command of the brigade." He was honorably mustered out of service at Washington, D. C., on the 8th day of June, 1865, and at once entered upon his duties as reporter of the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana. He was elected United States Senator in 1881, and held that office for six years. In 1888 General Harrison became the Republican candidate for President of the United States. He was duly elected, and took his seat March 4, 1889, which position he now holds.

Source: Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1893, 419 pgs.

Related Links:

• Civil War Records
• Civil War Microfilm at the National Archives
• Harrison Surname

 

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