also noted for his many private acts of charity. He was elected to the state senate in 1841, and for many years took an active part in polities, first as a conservative Whig and afterward as a Democrat. He was an earnest supporter of Harrison in 1840, and received a service of plate from his friends for his efforts in the canvass, and was a presidential elector on the Taylor ticket in 1848.
FEARING, Benjamin Dana, soldier, b. in Harmar, Ohio, 10 Oct., 1887 ; d. there, 9 Dec, 1881. He was graduated at Marietta in 1856, and entered a Philadelphia publishing house. In April, 1861, he
enlisted in the 2d Ohio regiment, took part with it in the battle of Bull Run, became adjutant of the 36th Ohio in August, and on 17 Dec. was made major of the 77th Ohio, which he commanded at Shiloh. On 26 Aug., 1863, he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 92d Ohio, which he had assisted in raising, and was promoted to colonel on 22 March, 1863. He defended Hoover's Gap at the head of three regiments, and distinguished himself at Chickamauga. where he was severely wounded. He rejoined his regiment in March, 1864, led it at Resaca, Kenesaw, Atlanta, and Jonesboro, and on 2 Dec. was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers. He commanded a brigade in Sherman's march to the sea, and was again severely wounded at Bentonville, where he led a charge, of which Anson C. McClurg, in his "Lost Chance of the Confederacy," says, "Upon this movement of Gen. Fearing's brigade, in all probability, turned the fortunes of the day." After the war he engaged in manufacturing in Cincinnati, but illness caused by his wounds forced him to retire in 1869, and finally ended his life. Gen. William T. Sherman spoke of him as " the bravest man that fought on Shiloli's field."
FEARON, Henry Bradshaw, English traveller, b. in London about 1770. He was a London surgeon, and was sent by thirty-nine English faniilies to the United States in 1817 to ascertain what part of this country, if any, would be suitable for their residence. He gave an account of his experiences in " Narrative of a Journey of 5,000 Miles through the Eastern and Western States of America" (London, 1818). Sydney Smith, in a review of this book, said that its author was "no lover of America, and a little given to exaggerate in his views of vices and prejudices." Fearon also
published a work on " Cancers " (London, 1784).
FEATHERSTON. Winfield Scott, soldier, b.
in Rutherford countv, Tenn., 8 Aug., 1821 ; d. in
Holly Springs, Miss., 28 iMay, 1891. ~In 1836, while
at school in Georgia, he served for three months as
a volunteer against the Creek Indians. He then
studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1840.
He was afterward elected to congress as a Democrat,
and served in 1847-'51, but was defeated for a
third term by the Union candidate. He was a presi-
dential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1852,
and was sent by his state to Kentucky in Decem-
ber, 1860, to confer with the authorities on the
subject of secession. In May, 1861, he became
colonel of the 17th Mississippi regiment. He
served in Virginia in 1861-'2, and on 4 March of
the latter year was promoted to brigadier-general
for gallantry at Ball s Bluff. He was wounded on
the fifth day of the battles around Richmond, and
in January, 1863, was transferred to Vicksburg at
his own request. He commanded an expedition
sent to meet Porter's gun-boats, ascending Deer
Creek, joined Johnston in Georgia in May, 1864,
and continued with that army till the surrender in
1865, commanding a division much of the time.
After tiie war he returned to the practice of law,
and was a member of the Mississippi legislature in
1876-'8 and 1880-2. In 1881 he became judge of
the 2d judicial circuit of the state.
FEATHERSTONHAUGH, George William,
traveller, b. in 1780; d. in Havre, France, 28 Sept.,
1866. In his early life he spent many years in
North America, and in 1834-'5 made for the U. S.
war department a geological inspection of part of
the western country. In his reports, which were
printed by order of congress, he is called “United
States geologist.” The government authorized
these examinations to be made only in the
territories of the United States; but Featherstonhaugh
took notes upon all the country passed over in his
journeys, for use when congress should authorize a
geological map of the United States. Such a map
is now projected (1887), fifty years after
Featherstonhaugh's surveys. On account of his thorough
knowledge of the country, he was appointed by the
British government a commissioner to settle the
northern boundary of the United States, under the
Ashburton treaty, and for the successful execution
of this task was made British consul for the
departments of Calvados and Seine, France. His
writings on statistical and political subjects were
clear and vigorous, and his geological memoirs
merited the approval of his friends Buckland and
Murchison. His publications include a translation
of Cicero's “Republic” (New York, 1828);
“Geological Report of the Elevated Country between
the Missouri and Red Rivers” (Washington, 1835);
“Geological Reconnoissance in 1835 from Green
Bay to Côteau de Prairie” (1836); “Observations
on the Ashburton Treaty” (London, 1842);
“Excursion through the Slave States” (New York,
1844); and “Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotor”
(2 vols., London, 1847).
FEBIGER, Christian, soldier, b. on the island
of Fünen, Denmark, in 1746; d. in Philadelphia,
Pa., 20 Sept., 1796. His father died when the son
was about sixteen years old, and the boy, after
receiving a military education, went to Santa Cruz
on the staff of his uncle, who had been appointed
governor of that island. He travelled through the
American colonies on a tour of observation in 1772,
and in the following year engaged in commerce in
the eastern states. He joined a Massachusetts
regiment on 28 April, 1775, became its adjutant
shortly afterward, and distinguished himself at
Bunker Hill. He was in Arnold's Quebec expedition,
was taken prisoner at the storming of that
city on 31 Dec., 1775, and was sent to New York
with other prisoners in September, 1776. On 13
Nov. he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the
Virginia line. He joined his regiment, the 11th
Virginia, on being exchanged, 1 Jan., 1777, and
fought in the Philadelphia campaign, being made
colonel of the 2d Virginia on 26 Sept., after the
battle of the Brandywine. He was on the right of
Greene's wing at Germantown, led 4,000 men, with
two guns, at Monmouth, and commanded the right
column in the attack on Stony Point, where he
distinguished himself, taking the British commander
prisoner in person. He was sent to Philadelphia
on 1 Sept., 1780, to forward stores to the army, and
was afterward on recruiting duty in Virginia,
though he was in the field at intervals, and was
present at the surrender of Cornwallis. He retired
from active service on 1 Jan., 1783, was brevetted
brigadier-general on 30 Sept., and then settled in
Philadelphia, where he engaged in business. During
his military service Febiger bore the sobriquet
of “Old Denmark.” He was treasurer of
Pennsylvania from 13 Nov., 1789, until his death.
— His grandson, John Carson, naval officer, b. in
