Corwin N. Bennett

BENNETT, HART, HENRY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/10/2014 at 07:51:17

IN MEMORIAM.

The Last Sacrifices of a Patriotic Family.

Bonaparte, Ia., October 25. – – Corwin N. Bennett of this place, a member of Company G, Fiftieth Iowa, died here on last Sunday morning at 2 o'clock at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Henry Hart.

At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in 1861, Bonaparte did not breathe a very patriotic air; consequently did not send many soldiers to the front. At the declaration of war with Spain everybody was ready, in fact, Pres. McKinley was repeatedly hauled over the coals; Will Mason fashion for not moving faster. Their patriotism was almost all spent in words, but one lone man enlisting, and today he is filling a soldier's grave.

Corwin was the son of the late deceased Samuel M. Bennett. There was a family of five children, the mother and oldest daughter having passed over the river Centennial year. There were two sons – – Lemuel, the oldest, while but sixteen years of age, imbued with patriotism for his country and the old flag, left home contrary to his parents' wishes on account of his age, and enlisted in Company E, eighth Iowa Cauvery, in August, 1863. He was mortally wounded in the Morgan raid in east Tennessee, September 3, 1864, dying thirteen days afterward. His body now lies in the national Cemetery at Murfreesboro, Tenn. There are two daughters left – – Mrs. Henry Hart and Mrs. Thos. P. Henry, both residents of this place, each having but one child, both grown.

Corwin enlisted July 8 and immediately joined his regiment at Jacksonville, Florida. He was taken sick about August 1 with typhoid fever, being left in the division hospital on the return of his regiment to Camp McKinley at Des Moines, Iowa. He was furloughed a few days afterward by the surgeon in charge, arriving home September 23, a mere skeleton of his former self, entirely unfit to be out of bed, having to be assisted by two men to and from the carriage. He never rallied from the effects of the fever and his trip home, generally getting weaker until death took him away.

He was buried from the M. E. Church of this place on Tuesday, the 18th, Rev. G. W. Barber officiating. The Knights of Pythias had charge and were out in full force, while the G. A. R. and all old soldiers were out en masse. The day was cold rainy and bad, but the town seemed determined to pay the last tribute of respect to their only soldier and crowded the church to overflowing. The building was beautifully decorated, while the red, white and blue and Old Glory were very conspicuous. He was laid to rest in the Vernon Cemetery by the side of his parents and sister. - - G. A. R.

[Note: handwritten on obit is "Oct 99" though another obit states Oct. 16, 1898]

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA