Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 1).djvu/258

232 been separately published, he was the author of a volume entitled "Four Sermons on the Atonement." He was also one of the compilers of the hymn-book adopted by the new-school branch of the Presbyterian church.

BEMISS, Samuel Merrifleld, physician, b. in Nelson co., Ky., 15 Oct., 1821, He received his early education from his father. Dr. John Bemiss, and from private tutors, and was graduated at the medical department of the University of New York in 1846. He practised in Bloomfield, Ky., until 1853, when he removed to Louisville, and in 1858 became connected with the medical department of the University of Louisville, filling various chairs, and at times was its secretary and vice-president. From 1862 till 1865 he was a surgeon in the confederate army. After the war he settled in New Orleans, and in 1866 he became professor of the theory and practice of medicine in the University of Louisiana. He is a member of the state board of health and of the American medical association, being its vice-president in 1868, and of other medical societies. Dr. Bemiss has contributed papers to the literature of his profession, among which are "Essay on Croup" and "Report on Consanguineous Marriages." He is the editor of the "New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal."

BENADE, Andrew, Moravian bishop, b. in Kleinwelke, Saxony, 20 Feb., 1769; d. in Bethlehem, Pa., 31 Oct., 1859. He was educated at the German Moravian college and theological seminary, and in 1795 came to the United States and entered the boarding-school at Nazareth Hall, Nazareth, Pa., as a tutor. Pour years later he was appointed principal of the young ladies' seminary at Bethlehem, and subsequently senior pastor of the church at Lititz. In 1828 he was made president of the southern district of the Moravian church, was consecrated on 15 Sept., and established himself at Salem, N. C. In 1836 he became the presiding bishop of the northern district, and removed to Bethlehem. At the age of seventy-nine years he resigned this office and spent the evening of his life in retirement. Bishop Benade was endowed with remarkable executive ability. As a preacher he ranked high, speaking English and German with equal facility.

BENALCAZAR, or BELALCAZAR, Sebastian de (bay-nal-cah'-thar), Spanish soldier, b. in Benalcazar in the latter part of the 15th century; d. in Popayan, Colombia, in 1550. He left Spain in 1514 and joined Pedraria's expedition, but refused to give his real family name, Moyano, and for this reason his companions called him after his native town. When he reached America he soon became noted for his gallantry, and formed a friendship with Pizarro. He took the city of Quito in 1533, and then made an expedition to the Territories now belonging to Colombia, where he met, at Cundinamarca, three other Spanish leaders, who had gone to that place from different points. After conquering Popayan, he was appointed governor of that part of the country in 1538. Some years later he was compelled to resign, and then became involved in legal proceedings and other troubles, which caused his death before he could return to Spain.

BENAVENTE BENAVIDES, Bartolomé (bay-nah-ven'-te), Spanish prelate, b. in Madrid in 1593; d. in Oajaca, Spain, in 1652. He was professor of theology in the university of Lima, Peru, and canon, dean, and inspector or visitor of that archbishopric. In 1639 he was consecrated bishop of Oajaca, Mexico. He rebuilt the convent, and reorganized the collegiate seminary of that city. Benavente was the first prelate invested by the pope with the special faculties that under the name of "solitas" are now conferred upon all the bishops of America.

BENAVIDES, Alfonso, or Alonso de (bay-nah-vee'-des), Franciscan friar, b. in Spain. He lived in the first half of the 17th century, and was noted for his great learning in theology and history. He was the author of " Relacion de los Tesoros descubiertos en Mejico," a memoir addressed to the king of Spain, which Benavides was ordered by the viceroy of Mexico, in 1627, to prepare for the information of the court as to the real condition, material and moral, of that part of America. The work was published in Madrid in 1630, nine years after its author had been elected "custodian" of his chapter of New Mexico.

BENAVIDES Y DE LA CUEVA, Diego (ay-nah-vee-des), count of Santistebau del Puerto, Spanish soldier, b. about 1600 ; d. in Lima, Peru, 17 March, 1666. He was a descendant of Alfonso VII. of Castile. He studied at Salamanca, and entered the army, distinguishing himself in the Italian war in 1637; was afterward governor of Galicia, viceroy of Navarre, member of the war council, and one of the plenipotentiaries that signed the treaty of peace between Spain and France, and arranged the marriage of the Spanish infanta Maria Teresa to Louis XIV. of France, for which Philip IV. gave him the title of marquis of Solera. He was appointed viceroy of Peru, entered Lima, 31 July, 1661, re-established order at La Paz in December of that year, sent an expedition to Chili under Gov. Angel Pereda, appointed a special board to regulate Indian labor, which prevented many abuses and afforded great benefits to the Indians, and endowed a chair of mathematics in the university of Lima.

BENDIX, John E., soldier, b. 28 Aug., 1818; d. in New York city, 8 Oct., 1877. The birthplace of Gen. Bendix lies between the United States and Canada, as he was born on board the "Sarah," one of the first steamers that navigated St. Lawrence river. He learned the trade of a machinist in New York, joined the 9th regiment New York state militia in 1847, and when the civil war began, in 1861, he organized the 7th regiment of New York volunteer infantry. He participated in the battles of Antietam (16-17 Sept., 1862), Fredericksburg (13 Dec, 1862), and the Wilderness (5-6 May, 1864), besides the engagements of the intervening campaigns. He was promoted brigadier-general in 1865.

BENEDICT, Abner R., soldier, b. about 1830; d. 15 May, 1867. At the beginning of the civil war he volunteered as a private in the 12th regiment, New York state militia, which was one of the three that first started from New York for the seat of war. In August, 1861, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the 4th regular infantry. In March, 1862. he embarked for the peninsula, and through the battles of the Potomac army was conspicuous for gallantry. At Fredericksburg he commanded forty men of the strong picket-line that, during the night of 13 Dec, 1862, was pushed up to the enemy's position, while the defeated federals were retreating across the river. The orders were to hold the position until relieved, and the intention was to withdraw the picket-line before daylight should reveal it to the enemy. By some mistake the line was not withdrawn as directed, and at daylight the enemy opened fire at short range. While encouraging his men by voice and example. Major Benedict fell, shot through the lungs, but was carried off the field by his soldiers. The wound was considered mortal.