William Plummer Benton
Encyclopedia
William Plummer Benton (December 25, 1828 – March 14, 1867) was an American
lawyer
and soldier who served in both the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
, where he would rise to the rank of brigadier general
and, in 1866, after his service had ended, would be awarded the brevet
grade of major general
.
, Maryland
. His father died when he was four months old and in 1836, he moved with his mother to Richmond, Indiana
. Beginning at age 15, Benton spent 2–3 years in Cincinnati as a chairmaker. When Benton was 18 years old, he enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, and fought with gallantry in the mounted infantry at Contreras
, Churubusco
, Chapultepec
and Mexico City
.
Returning to Richmond at the war's end, he entered college to study law. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1851 and began practice with Charles Clark. In 1852, he was elected district attorney of Wayne County
on the Whig ticket and served until 1854. In 1854, he formed a partnerhsip with J. B. Julian which continued until 1856, when he was elected judge of the Common pleas court, serving one term, until defeated for renomination in 1858.
In 1855, Benton was married to Sarah A. Wiggins, daughter of Daniel A. Wiggins of Richmond. He and Sarah had three children, Walter, Jessie, and Mary. His wife died of consumption in 1861 at the age of 27.
following Lincolns call for 75,000 volunteers. He was its captain when the company became part of the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but was elected the regiment's colonel. He led the 8th Indiana in some the earliest fighting of the war during McClellan'
s Western Virginia campaign of 1861, including the Battle of Rich Mountain
.
The regiment was then ordered to Missouri. Benton is said to have commanded a brigade at the Battle of Pea Ridge
, although the Official Records lists another officer as the official commander, a member of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry described as "lacking in the fundamental requisites of leadership". While in Missouri, he was remarried to a war widow, Emma Adolphin Lenhart, after a ten-day courtship.
In April 1862 Benton was promoted to brigadier general
of volunteers and served with distinction at the Battles of Port Gibson
, Jackson (where he was wounded), Champion Hill
, Big Black River, and at the Siege of Vicksburg.
He then served in various district commands with the XIII Corps
in Texas and Louisiana throughout 1864, until he commanded a division in the campaign against Mobile
, Alabama
in early 1865. Benton was mustered out of the volunteer service on July 24, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson
nominated Benton for the award of the brevet
grade of major general
of volunteers, to rank from March 26, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.
on March 14, 1867. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery
. Benton was a Freemason and member of Webb Lodge No. 24 at Richmond Indiana and King Solomon Chapter No 4 Royal Arch Masons
in New Orleans.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and soldier who served in both the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, where he would rise to the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
and, in 1866, after his service had ended, would be awarded the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
.
Early life
Benton was born in New MarketNew Market, Maryland
New Market is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 427 at the 2000 census. The town bills itself as the "Antiques capital of Maryland".-Geography:New Market is located at ....
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. His father died when he was four months old and in 1836, he moved with his mother to Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
. Beginning at age 15, Benton spent 2–3 years in Cincinnati as a chairmaker. When Benton was 18 years old, he enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, and fought with gallantry in the mounted infantry at Contreras
Contreras
-People:*Pedro de Alvarado , Spanish conquistador*Carlos Contreras, Mexican NASCAR driver*Carlos Alberto Contreras, Colombian road cyclist*Eleazar López Contreras, Venezuelan politician and former president...
, Churubusco
Churubusco
Churubusco is a neighbourhood of Mexico City. Under the current territorial division of the Mexican Federal District, it is a part of the borough of Coyoacán...
, Chapultepec
Chapultepec
Chapultepec Park, more commonly called the "Bosque de Chapultepec" in Mexico City, is the largest city park in Latin America, measuring in total just over 686 hectares. Centered on a rock formation called Chapultepec Hill, one of the park's main functions is to be an ecological space in the vast...
and Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
.
Returning to Richmond at the war's end, he entered college to study law. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1851 and began practice with Charles Clark. In 1852, he was elected district attorney of Wayne County
Wayne County, Indiana
Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,917. The county seat is Richmond.-History:...
on the Whig ticket and served until 1854. In 1854, he formed a partnerhsip with J. B. Julian which continued until 1856, when he was elected judge of the Common pleas court, serving one term, until defeated for renomination in 1858.
In 1855, Benton was married to Sarah A. Wiggins, daughter of Daniel A. Wiggins of Richmond. He and Sarah had three children, Walter, Jessie, and Mary. His wife died of consumption in 1861 at the age of 27.
Civil war
Benton raised the first company from Wayne CountyWayne County, Indiana
Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,917. The county seat is Richmond.-History:...
following Lincolns call for 75,000 volunteers. He was its captain when the company became part of the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but was elected the regiment's colonel. He led the 8th Indiana in some the earliest fighting of the war during McClellan'
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
s Western Virginia campaign of 1861, including the Battle of Rich Mountain
Battle of Rich Mountain
The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.-Background:...
.
The regiment was then ordered to Missouri. Benton is said to have commanded a brigade at the Battle of Pea Ridge
Battle of Pea Ridge
The Battle of Pea Ridge was a land battle of the American Civil War, fought on March 6–8, 1862, at Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas, near Garfield. In the battle, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis defeated Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn. The outcome of the...
, although the Official Records lists another officer as the official commander, a member of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry described as "lacking in the fundamental requisites of leadership". While in Missouri, he was remarried to a war widow, Emma Adolphin Lenhart, after a ten-day courtship.
In April 1862 Benton was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers and served with distinction at the Battles of Port Gibson
Battle of Port Gibson
The Battle of Port Gibson was fought near Port Gibson, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, between Union and Confederate forces during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S...
, Jackson (where he was wounded), Champion Hill
Battle of Champion Hill
The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
, Big Black River, and at the Siege of Vicksburg.
He then served in various district commands with the XIII Corps
XIII Corps (ACW)
XIII Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was first led by Ulysses S. Grant and later by John A. McClernand and Edward O.C. Ord...
in Texas and Louisiana throughout 1864, until he commanded a division in the campaign against Mobile
Battle of Spanish Fort
The Battle of Spanish Fort took place from March 27 to April 8, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the Western Theater of the American Civil War....
, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
in early 1865. Benton was mustered out of the volunteer service on July 24, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Benton for the award of the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of volunteers, to rank from March 26, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.
Last years
After the war, Benton was appointed the Collector of Internal Revenue in the City of New Orleans. However, he died of yellow feverYellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
on March 14, 1867. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery
Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans
Greenwood Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana.The cemetery was opened in 1852, and is located on City Park Avenue in the Navarre neighborhood.The cemetery has a number of impressive monuments and sculptures...
. Benton was a Freemason and member of Webb Lodge No. 24 at Richmond Indiana and King Solomon Chapter No 4 Royal Arch Masons
Royal Arch Masonry
Royal Arch Masonry is the term used to denote the first part of the York Rite system of Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter, and the Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.-Chapter level:A Chapter is in many ways...
in New Orleans.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)