The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-04-11
Crowds Thronged Main ST..
to Hear President Lin
coins Call to Arms to Save
the Union.
ENLISTMENTS WERE
STARTED NEXT DAY
William P. Benton, First to
Enlist, Was Mustered Out
at the Close of War with
Rank of General.

Fiftieth anniversaries of various his
-toric events at the outbreak of the
Civil war. particularly those events
which were the immediate cause for
President Lincoln's proclamation.
calling for troops and summoning con-
gress to convene on July 4. 1861, FOL-
low one after another this week. To
the older pioneer residents of Rich
mond these anniversaries bring back
memories of the stirring days in
Wayne county, following the historic
incidents at the'start of the great con-
flict
Fifty years ago Monday. Gen p
u. I. Beauregard, appointed by the
confederate government to reduce
Fort Sumter began his campaign and
was instructed to demand the surren-
der of the federal fortification from
Anderson. The anniversary Of Ander-
sons refusal is today. Fifty years ago
tomorrow morning at daylight will be
the anniversary of the first shot fired
upon Fort Sumter. This fire was kept
up until April IA, when Anderson had
to surrender
News OF Surrender.
With the news of the surrender,
President Lincoln issued a proclama
tion calling for $4,000 volunteers and
summoning congress into special ses.
sion for July 4. Though every part OF
the North was stirred by these first
events, it was on the occasion of the
receipt of the Presidents proclama
tion that the greatest excitement was
displayed here. The fiftieth anniver
sary of this local event is Saturday.
For the purpose of learning the lat
est news Richmond residents and
many from other parts of the coun.
/ ty crowded Main street on April Is
/ 1861. A bon fire was started and pat
riotic speeches were delivered. Patri
otism ran rife and it was late before
the citizens returned to their homes
On the following day. the fiftieth an
niversary of which will be Sunday
Governor Morton sent to Richmond q
recruiting officer. who opened his Of
flee over Main and Marion streets, now
Main and Sixth streets, near where
the meeting of the evening before was
held.
First One to Enlist.
The first to enlist was William
Plummer Benton, an attorney who had
achieved considerable renown in his
profession, and who was a. veteran O
the Mexican war, having served in
Company X, commanded by Captain
S. S. Tucker, in the T. S. Regiment Of
Mounted Riflemen which company was
the first to enter Mexico City upoI
it's fall.
On the following day Benton went
to Indianapolis and was the frs
Wayne county man to receive com
mission. which was dated April II
1861. He enlisted to serve three
months. Benton was the most active
of all the first recruits who responded
in Wayne county to President Lin
coins call to arms. This, combined
with his knowledge of warfare gainet
in the Mexican campaigns, led thu
other members of the company. on thu
day following Benton's enlistment. t,
elevate him from private to the ranl
of captain, his selection being unani
nous
Captain Benton's company was has
tened to the South and he was soor
promoted to Colonel of the Eight
Regiment, Indiana Volunteers ant
commanded it at Rich Mountain. AT
ter three months, at the expiration o
his enlistment. he was authorized t,
re-enlist and reorganize the regimen
and did SO. reporting to General Ere
mont. September IA, 1861. His regi
ment was placed in the vanguard o
Fremonts army and served in th'
memorable campaign in Missouri ant
Arkansas.
Promoted to General.
He commanded a brigade at Pc;
Ridge. and was promoted to Brigadier
General for gallantry. He was in th'
battles of Port Gibson, Champion
Hills. Black River Bridge, the siege o
Vicksburg, Jackson and Mobile. A
Jackson he was wounded. At th
close of the war he returned to Rich
mond and resigned his commission
He resumed the practice of law.