William P. Benton
| William Plummer Benton | |
|---|---|
Major General William P. Benton
|
|
| Born |
December 25, 1828 New Market, Maryland |
| Died | March 14, 1867 (aged 38) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Place of burial | Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Brevet Major General
|
| Battles/wars |
Mexican-American War American Civil War |
William Plummer Benton (25 Dec 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.
Benton was born in New Market, 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 partnership 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.
Benton raised the first company from Wayne County 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.
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