Benjamin Downing

Benjamin Henry Downing

Benjamin Henry Downing first enlisted in a 90-day unit after the surrender of Ft. Sumpter, the 9th Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the expiration of that unit, he re-enlisted in the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers in August, 1861, and served through February 28, 1865. He enlisted as 1st Sgt., and was mustered out as 1st Lieutenant. Benjamin Downing was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, but soon returned to his regiment. After the war, he removed to Wichita, Kansas, and was a charter member of the Garfield Post #25 of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as Post Commander in 1887. He died in 1908 at the age of 67 of congestive heart failure. Photographs provided by great grandson of Benjamin Henry Downing, Raymond A. Downing.

Grave Marker of Benjamin Henry Downing and Benjamin Henry Downing (1898)