Faces of the 48th: Sergeant Benevill Williams, Co. I

Benevill (sometimes spelled Benneville and sometimes called either Ben or Benney) Williams was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on December 2, 1841, and was thus nineteen years of age when civil war erupted in the spring of 1861. A sawyer from Ringtown who stood 5'8" in height, had brown eyes and auburn-colored hair, volunteered soon after the commencement of hostilities, enlisting as a private in the Scott Rifles, a company organizing primarily from in and around the Tamaqua area. Mustered into federal service, the Scott Rifles became Company C of the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, a three-month organization that campaigned in the lower Shenandoah Valley under the command of General Robert Patterson. Upon his discharge from the 10th Pennsylvania in July, 1861, Williams, still 19 years of age, enlisted again, this time to serve a "three year or the war" term in the ranks of what became Company I, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry.  

Wartime Gem Image of Ben Williams,
Co. I, 48th PA Infantry

(Hoptak Collection) 

Benevill Williams served throughout the rest of the American Civil War in Company I, 48th PA, seeing action at dozens of places. He re-enlisted in the winter of '63-'64 and thereby earned his status as a "Veteran Volunteer." And he rose through the ranks, rising to the rank of corporal and then, ultimately, to sergeant. He received two combat injuries, both in 1864, and both near Petersburg; the first occurred on June 18, during the regiment's assaults southeast of the Virginia city; the second at Pegram's Farm on September 30. He was mustered out of service on July 17, 1865, the date the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry was disbanded. 

Now twenty-three years of age (and a veteran of some twenty-three engagements), Williams returned home. In the many years of his life that followed, Williams entered into the milling business, first in Sunbury and Bear Gap, and the in Fernville, near Bloomsburg, in Columbia County. He maintained an active interest in veterans' affairs, becoming a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, as well as the Columbia County Veterans Association. 

Post-War Painted Portrait of Ben Williams
(with erroneous regimental designation)
Courtesy of Mr. Brian Teitsworth

He married Catherine Halderman and together the couple had at least one daughter (a Mrs. Teitsworth), with whom Benevill resided following Catherine's death at age 72 in 1910. Following a stroke at his daughter's house ,Sergeant Benevill Williams passed away on February 11, 1925. He was 83 years old. Funeral services were held at the Teitsworth residence on Valentine's Day. Internment in the Creveling Cemetery, Almeida, followed the services. 

The Grave of Benevill Williams
from findagrave.com 

Sources: The Morning Press, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1925, page 12; The Morning Press, February 16, 1925, page 9. 

Special thanks to Mr. Brian Teitsworth for sending along several images identified as Bennevil Williams, including this one: 

Tintype Identified as Benevill Williams
Courtesy of Mr. Brian Teitsworth