American Flag flying overhead, Civil War re-enactors stand by artillery awaiting the opportunity to salute the memory of a dedicated soldier.
Photos and photo descriptions contributed by Donna Nelson
Benjamin
Franklin Williams served as a Civil War private in the 21st Indiana Light
Artillery from August 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865. On Saturday, October 25,
2003, about 50 descendants and friends gathered at Rolling Prairie Cemetery to
honor his memory and dedicate his veteran's headstone. Returning to the Rolling
Prairie area after his military service, he married Esther Teeter. Esther
bought 100 peach trees from a traveling salesman and is credited as the founder
of the still family-operated Williams Orchard. Health issues caused by
conditions endured during the war continued to plague Benjamin for the
remainder of his life and, following a prolonged illness, he died on March 1st,
1895.
American Flag flying overhead, Civil War re-enactors stand by
artillery awaiting the opportunity to salute the memory of a dedicated
soldier.
At the October 25, 2003 Veteran's headstone dedication to
Benjamin F. Williams, color guards were provided by SUVCW David D. Porter Camp
116, Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp 20, Colegrove-Woodruff Camp 22 and Rolling
Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9423.
Civil War re-enactors of the 9th and 19th Indiana Volunteer
Infantry and the 102nd United States Colored Infantry helped to honor the
memory of Benjamin F. Williams.
The dedication of the Veteran's headstone for Benjamin F.
Williams was conducted by Alan Loomis and Michael Downs, who represented David
D. Porter Camp 116, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). Three of
Mr. Williams' grandchildren are shown at the stone. From left to right: Esther
Crawford Congdon, Kenneth Williams, and Edna Williams Gothe.
Descendants of Benjamin F. Williams were in attendance at the
October 25, 2003 dedication at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
Front row: Esther
Crawford Congdon, Kenneth Williams, Edna Williams Gothe. Back row: Carol Sult
Kujawski (my sister's daughter), Steve Williams (Ken's son); Laurie -----
(Ken's dau), Gerald Gothe, Arlene Gothe and ----,(unknown). She is either Ken's
daughter or his niece, Esther.
Civil War re-enactors stand at-ease during a break in the
activities of October 25, 2003 at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
The 7th and 21st Indiana Light Artillery regiments prepare for
cannon salutes at the dedication to Benjamin F. Williams.
Civil War re-enactors of the 7th and 21st Indiana Light
Artillery participated in the October 25, 2003 dedication to Benjamin F.
Williams.
Civil War re-enactors fire a salute to Private Benjamin
Franklin Williams, who served as a private in the 21st Indiana Light Artillery
from Aug. 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865.
Civil War re-enactors of the 7th and 21st Indiana Light
Artillery fire one of several salutes at the October 25, 2003 dedication to
Benjamin F. Williams.
As the smoke clears after a cannon volley, soldiers prepare for
the next firing of their cannons.
Salutes are fired to honor the memory of LaPorte County Civil
War Veteran Benjamin Franklin Williams, who served as a private in the 21st
Indiana Light Artillery from Aug. 15, 1862, to June 26, 1865.
The dense smoke surrounding artillery provides only a glimpse
into the conditions on a Civil War battlefield.