General Henry W. Benham

“General Benham, born in Connecticut in 1817, died in New York June 1st, 1884, was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1837, and assigned to the Corps of Engineers. Served in the Mexican War, 1847-’8, and was brevetted captain for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Buena Vista. At the beginning of the Civil War, in 1861, Captain Benham entered upon active service; was on General Morris’s staff as engineer of the Department of the Ohio; was brevetted colonel for gallantry at the battle of Carrick’s Ford, July 13th, 1861; in August was made brigadier general of volunteers, and was engaged in the Virginia campaigns. In 1862 he was present at the capture of Fort Pulaski and James Island; later in the year he superintended fortifications in Boston and Portsmouth harbors, and was in command of the Northern District of the Department of the South. He proved very efficient in throwing pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock, the Potomac and the James Rivers, and was in command of the Pontoon Department at Washington in 1864. In March, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general and major general, United States Army, and major general, United States Volunteers, for gallant services during the Rebellion."— Frank Leslie, 1896

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