His Name Silent Upon Our Roll

Here is a portion of an eloquently written correspondence about Amos Benton, of yesterday's post, from the Bibb Cavalry headquarters at Camp Jackson in Savannah, Georgia. It's dated 23 January 1862, and was published in the Macon Telegraph a couple of days later.

Death has for the first time invaded our ranks and taken from us in the person of Amos Benton, a comrade in arms, whom we loved and respected. A companion whose sympathy and aid, was freely extended to the distressed. Social in his intercourse, frank in his manner, fair and honorable in his dealings he was well fitted to rivet more closely, the cords of friendship which binds the soldier's heart. Though longpassed [sic] the prime of youth, though the frosts of many winters had whitened his locks, and age had seemingly unfitted him for the active duties of a soldier; yet when his country called, and Georgia's standard floated to the breeze, in defiance of Northern oppression; he rallied to the call, and side by side with her protectors, he marched to her defence, bearing with cheerfulness, the toils, fatigues and cares, of a camp life, his whole efforts were directed to advance the interest and promote the comfort of the corps to which he was attached. But a few days since we beheld him among us, in health and vigor, and ere we could realize that he was seriously ill, death had claimed him for his own, and had born him to the silent tomb. Though his place shall be vacant in our ranks and his name silent upon our roll, yet we submissively bow to the will of Him whom, "whatsoever He doeth, He doeth well."

Amos Benton: Peace to His Ashes

"FUNERAL OF AMOS BENTON
The remains of Amos Benton, Esq., were escorted to Rose Hill Cemetery, yesterday, by a portion of the officers and members of Macon Masonic Lodge, Companies B, Floyd Rifles and Macon Volunteers, and a large concourse of citizens. He had resided in this city for many years, and was suddenly stricken down while in his country's service as a member of the Bibb Cavalry. Peace to his ashes." [Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 22 January 1862, pg. 1]

Photo by James Allen

Amos was the father of Clarissa Benton Jessop and Mary Benton Findlay, both before mentioned on this blog.

Amos Benton was born in Connecticut according to the 1860 Bibb County, Georgia federal census. He is also mentioned in Volume 1 of Families of Early Guilford, Connecticut as a son of Ambrose Benton and Mary Evarts. Amos married Ann Beall Owens 10 February 1831, and they had the following children: William Augustus (b. 1837), Mary Ann (b. 1839), Julietta (b. 1844), Ellen Louisa (b. 1846), and Clarissa Augusta (b. 1852).