Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/28

10 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS weeks was commissioned colonel of the 70th In diana infantry. He made arrangements to have the duties of his office of reporter performed in his absence, several of his professional brethren under taking to do the work without cost to him, so that his home could be paid for. The Democrats put the name of a candidate for the office on their State ticket in 1862. The Republicans, supposing that Harrison would be allowed to serve out his term, made no nomination. No votes were cast except for the Democrat, and in a mandamus suit brought by him to compel the clerk to give him the manu script opinions of the judges, the Supreme Court, composed of Democrats, decided that Harrison s enlistment vacated the office, and that the Demo crat who was elected by default should fill it for the unexpired term. At the next election, in 1864, while Harrison was still in the field, he was re- elected by an overwhelming majority, and after the close of the war assumed the office and served out his full term. The following is a brief summary of his military record: Benjamin Harrison was mustered into service as colonel of the 70th regiment of Indiana infantry volunteers with the field and staff of that regiment at Indianapolis, Ind., to date from Au gust 7, 1862, to serve three years. The following remarks appear opposite his name on the muster-in roll of the field and staff: "Mustered into service