Obituary for Confederate Sergeant Benjamin Temple Williamson
Reported January 4th 1865, in the Richmond Daily Dispatch
Suddenly, in Sussex County, Va., Sergeant B. T. Williamson, of the Signal Corps, Army Northern Virginia, aged thirty-two.
His friends, and the friends of Mrs. Richard Crouch, are requested to attend his funeral from her residence, corner of Clay and Fourth streets, without further notice, THIS MORNING at 10 o'clock.
Columbus, Mississippi, papers please copy.
[Another obituary for Sergeant Williamson would be posted in the Daily Dispatch, on January 12th 1865, with further details.]
Died suddenly, while at the post of duty, on the 29th of December, 1864, Sergeant Benjamin T. Williamson, of the Signal Service; thirty-three years of age.
The subject of this brief tribute was familiarly known to the writer as one of high literary attainments, of polished and chivalrous bearing, and possessing all the essential qualities of a brave and dashing soldier.
At the commencement of the present struggle he was quietly pursuing the avocation of merchant in Illinois. Receiving intelligence that his native State (Virginia) had severed her connection with the Federal Government, he at once concluded to cast his destiny with her, and was one of the first of her sons to strike for independence. He passed through that trying and arduous campaign in Western Virginia, in the fall and winter of 1861, and subsequently through all the campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, unscathed. His undying devotion to his bleeding country never failed to inspire his comrades in arms with energy and confidence.
Around the bivouac fire, on the march, and in the fight, he was always seen with a bright and cheerful smile.
This youthful hero did not aspire for office or military fame. His only object was to serve his country faithfully; and no one exulted more than he in its successes and prosperity. Notwithstanding he has been smitten down by the hand of God at the noon of manhood, his name merits a place on the brightest page of the History of the War.
Removed, his spirit rests in peace.
Mobile papers please copy. A SOLDIER.
[The grave of Sergeant Benjamin Temple Williamson in Richmond Virginia.]
