Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1889, volume 6).djvu/723

Rh high-school building to his native town. In 1888 he gave to the American missionary association more than $1,000,000, to be held in trust and known as the Daniel Hand educational fund for colored people, to be used in the " states in which slavery was recognized in 1861." Mr. Hand has for many years lived in Guilford, Conn.

HARRISON, Benjamin, president-elect of the United States, b. in North Bend, Ohio, 20 Aug., 1833. He is the third son of John Scott Harri- son (who was a son of President Harrison), and was born in his grandfather's house. John Scott Har- rison was a farmer, and in early life cared for his own little plantation and assisted his father in the management of the family property. This occu- Eation he varied by boating to New Orleans, whither e went almost every year with a cargo of produce of his own raising. Benjamin passed his boyhood in the usual occupations of a farmer's son — feed- ing the cattle and aiding in the harvesting of the crops. He received his early education in an old- fashioned log school-house fronting on the Ohio river. Subsequently he was sent to a school called Farmer's college, on College hill, near Cincinnati, where he spent two years, and then went to Miami university, where he was graduated in 1852. While at college he formed an attachment for Miss Caro- line L. Scott, whose father at that time was presi- dent of the Female seminary in Oxford. Among his classmates were Milton Sayler, who took first honors, and David Swing, who stood second, while Harrison was fourth. His graduating oration was on " The Poor of England." He entered the law office of Storer and Gwynne in Cincinnati, and on 20 Oct., 1853, before the completion of his studies and before attaining his majority, he was married. In March, 1854, he settled in Indianapolis, Ind., which has since been his place of residence. He obtained desk-room with John H. Rea, and an- nounced himself to the world as attorney at law. Through the kindness of friends, he was soon ap- pointed crier of the Federal court, the salary of which in term-time was $2.50 a day. The money that he received for these services was the first that he earned. The story of his earliest case is typical of the man. An indictment for burglary had been found against an individual, and Harri- son was intrusted with the making of the final argument. The court was held at night, and the room was dimly lighted with candles. He had taken full notes of the evidence, which he had in- tended to read from, and, after his opening remarks, he turned to his papers, but, owing to the imper- fect light, was unable to decipher them. A mo- ment's embarrassment followed, but quickly cast- ing aside his notes and trusting to his memory, he continued. The verdict was in his favor, and with this first success came increased business and repu- tation. Soon afterward Gov. Joseph A. Wright intrusted him with a legislative investigation, which he conducted successfully. In 1855 he was invited by William Wallace to become his partner. He is described at that time as " quick of appre- hension, clear, methodical, and logical in his analy- sis and statement of a case." This connection continued until 1860, when it was succeeded by that of Harrison and Fish back.

In 1860 his first entry into active politics took place with his nomination by the Republicans for the office of reporter of the supreme court. He canvassed the state for his party, and in Rockville, Parke county, he spoke at a meeting where Thomas A. Hendricks, the Democratic candidate for gov- ernor, was his opponent. He had already attained reputation as an orator, but the ability with which he answered point after point in Gov. Hendricks's address gained for him increased favor with the people, and he was elected by a majority cf 9,688. While he held this office the civil war began, and in 1862 he assisted in raising the 70th Indiana regi- ment, in which he was made 2d lieutenant. When the regiment was completed, Gov. Oliver P. Mor- ton appointed him colonel, and it was hurried for- ward to join the army under Gen. Don Carlos Buell at Bowling Green, Ky., then opposed by the Confederate forces under Gen. Braxton Bragg. His first independent action was as commander of an expedition sent against a body of Confederate soldiers stationed at Russellville. Dividing his forces, he surrounded the camp and captured all their horses and arms, besides taking a number of prisoners. The 70th Indiana was given the right of the brigade under Gen. William T. Ward, and continued so until the close of the war. Col. Har-' rison's command was occupied chiefly in the west, guarding railroads and in fighting guerillas. In this and similar duties he was occupied until January, 1864, when he was placed in command of his bri- gade, and added to the 1st division of the 11th army corps. Subsequently it was attached to the 3d division of the 20th army corps under Gen. Joseph Hooker, and made the campaign from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta. His first engagement of im- portance was that of Resaca, on 14 May, 1864, where he led his command. A few days later he took part in the capture of Cassville, and then in the actions at New Hope church and Golgotha church. He participated in the battles of Kenesaw Mount- ain and Peach Tree Creek, at the latter of which his gallantry so pleased Gen. Hooker that he wrote to the secretary of war " to call the attention of the department to the claims of Col. Benjamin Harrison, of the 70th Indiana volunteers, for pro- motion to the rank of brigadier-general of volun- teers." Gen. Hooker also said : "My attention was first attracted to this young officer by the supe- rior excellence of his brigade in discipline and instruction, the result of his labor, skill, and devo- tion. With more foresight than I have witnessed in any officer of his experience, he seemed to act upon the principle that success depended upon the thorough preparation in discipline and esprit of his command for conflict, more than on any in- fluence that could be exerted upon the field itself, and when collision came his command vindicated his wisdom as much as his valor. In all of the achievements of the 20th corps in that campaign (from Chattanooga to Atlanta) Col. Harrison bore a conspicuous part. At Resaca and Peach Tree creek the conduct of himself and command was especially distinguished." When. Gen Sherman reached Atlanta, Harrison was ordered to Indiana to obtain recruits, and he spent the time from Sep- tember till November, 1864, in that work. Owing to the destruction of the railroads, he was unable to rejoin Gen. Sherman before the army made its march to the sea, and he was transferred to Nash- ville. The winter of 1864-'5 he spent with Gen. George H. Thomas in Tennessee, but in the spring he resumed command of his brigade in the 20th army corps, with which he remained until the close of the war. He then took part in the grand re- view in Washington, and was mustered out on 8 June, 1865. The brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers was conferred upon him, to date from 23 Jan., 1865, " for ability and manifest energy and gallantry in command of the brigade*." To his men he was familiarly known as " Little Ben," and many acts of kindness to his subordinates, expres- sive of his sympathy with them, have been related.