Battle won a reputation as an orator of some repute. He entered politics and was a vocal advocate of the secessionist movement. In 1856 he was substitute elector on the Buchanan ticket, and during the 1860 Alabama Democratic State Convention, he was made a presidential elector on the motion of Senator William L. Yancey. He and Yancey traveled across the state and to Charleston, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia on an extended speaking tour.

DELANO, Columbus, a Representative from Ohio; born in Shoreham, Vt., June 4, 1809; moved with his parents to Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, in 1817; pursued an academic course; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1831 and commenced practice in Mount Vernon; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1845-March 3, 1847); was not a candidate for renomination in 1846; unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Governor at the Whig State convention in 1847; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1860 and 1864; served as State commissary gener