USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume I > Part 34
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PERRY BENSON
tated for service in the battle last named, fought less than a month after.4
During the gloomy years of 1778 and 1779 Benson continued with the main army, sharing its privations, its hardships, its dangers and its humiliations. On the first of June of the last named year he was grati- fied by being made the recipient of a Captains' commission in the Con- tinental Army, signed by the Hon. John Jay, President of Congress, and dating from the 11th of March 1778.
In the year 1780 the seat of war was moved to the South. The Mary- land and Delaware troops were dispatched to that section, under the command of General DeKalb, to reinforce the armies there operating with but poor success. As a part of these troops Captain Benson and his company joined the Southern army then under the command of General Lincoln, who, however, was very soon superseded by General Gates. Of his career, while in this section of the country, there is more precise information than of that part of his military service which was rendered to the American cause in the North. We have the authority of a gentleman, who probably received the information directly from Benson himself, for what may be stated in this connection at least so far as the mention of the battles in which he was engaged. He undoubt- edly participated in the disastrous battle of Camden, in August 1780, when the Maryland and Delaware troops alone saved the American army from complete dishonor, but were not able to save it from defeat. The losses of the Maryland line in battle had rendered the consolidation of regiments necessary. Accordingly in 1781 the seven regiments were reduced to one and this placed under General Otho H. Williams, while every effort was made in Maryland to recruit the line. The arrival of new levies increased the regiments to five. Under this arrangement Captain Benson was attached to the Fifth, commanded by Col. Benja- min Ford-a regiment which acquired a most enviable reputation. Before the beginning of the year 1781 General Greene had taken the command of the Southern army in place of General Gates. Benson served under Morgan at the battle of Cowpens, where the Maryland troops gathered so many laurels. He was under Gen'l Greene at Guil- ford Court House, and again at Hobkirk's Hill. At the last named battle he performed such service to the American army as should entitle him to the lasting memory and gratitude of the American people. He himself was very proud of his feat, and was fond of recounting it in after
4 This last incident is related upon the authority of the Hon. J. B. Kerr, who doubtless received it directly from the lips of Gen'l Benson himself.
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years. On the day of battle the forces under Gen'l Greene, after a favorable position had been selected, were dismissed for the morning meal, no immediate attack being anticipated. The usual pickets were thrown out, however, to prevent surprise.
These pickets were commanded by Capt. Benson, of Maryland and Capt. Morgan of Virginia, supported by Capt. Kirkwood with the re- mains of the Delaware regiment.
Lord Rawdon, in command of the British took a circuitous route to- wards the American camp, and soon encountered the advanced guard of Benson. This brave man at once giving information to his command- er of the approach of the enemy, determined to receive the shock of the enemy's whole force, in order that time might be given to Gen'l Greene to place his army in array. This was done with the utmost firmness, but at the cost of the larger part of his command, for before he drew back into line he had lost all but thirty-three men out of the one hundred and twenty that constituted his guard. He fired six rounds with such effectiveness that the British commander supposed he had come upon the main force, and formed into line of battle. The time thus gained allowed General Greene to form his army, for the reception of the enemy. Unfortunately the whole Maryland line did not exhibit on this day the firmness and bravery of Benson's guard; and so, a defeat was sustained; but there is but small doubt that the conduct of this little band and of its fearless commander saved the whole army from destruction.5 Gen'l Greene in his orders of the day, issued after the battle of Hobkirk's Hill, uses this language:
Though the action of yesterday terminated unfavorably to the American arms, the General is happy to assure the troops that it is by no means decisive. The extraordinary exertions of the cavalry, com- manded by Lieut. Col. Washington, the gallant behavior of the Light Infantry, commanded by Capt. Kirkwood and the firmness of the pickets under Captains Benson and Morgan, rendering, the advan- tage expensive to the enemy, highly merit the approbation of the Gen- eral and the imitation of the rest of the troops.6
5 In the obituary notice of Benson by the Hon. R. H. Goldsborough, a greater number of details are given of this action than of any other, and they are said of have been derived from a person who was present and participated in the battle. But they are given by Mr. Goldsborough in such a style as to render it difficult to determine what must be received as a literal fact, and what as the embellish- ments of a skillful literary artist.
6 Quoted from a paper by Will. G. Whitely, read before the House of Delegates of the State of Delaware, Feb. 15, 1875.
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But it was at fort Ninety-Six that Benson best displayed those charac- teristics which distinguished him as a soldier. This post in South Carolina was in 1781 in the possession of the British, and was besieged by General Greene. It was thought expedient in view of reinforce- ments then marching to the relief of Col. Cruger who commanded the fort, to attempt an assault, although no practicable breach had been made in the defences. Capt. Benson, from his known fearlessness and daring was selected as will be seen for the post of greatest danger. The Americans had during the siege formed two parallels, by way of approach. Capt. Benson with his command was ordered to take possession of the inner line, while Col. Campbell was to occupy the line in the rear. Ben- son therefore, was charged with leading the assault, and Col. Campbell was to support him. Historians, following Gen'l Lee in his memoirs of the war in the South, have represented Benson as being commanded by Campbell. When Benson saw the book of General Lee, he conceived that full justice had not been done to him in the account there given of this assault, and accordingly addressed a communication to the editor of the Republican Star, at Easton, in which he briefly stated the actual condition of affairs on the day of battle, and appended to this note certain documents as confirmatory of his statements. In the Star of July 29, 1823, he says:
In reading the statement of the attack on Ninety Six in Vol. II, p. 127 of Lee's Memoirs I find it to be incorrect in stating that "Lieut. Col. Campbell, of the 1st Virginia Regiment, with a detachment from the Maryland and Virginia brigades was charged with the attack on the left. The first Maryland was ordered to take post in the first parallel, and Col. Campbell was ordered to take post in the second, and cover the whole, which was some distance in the rear of the first; and all the advances of forlorns and fatigue parties were sent from the first parallel; and I never knew that I was under orders from Col. Campbell until I saw 'Lee's Memoirs,' as I received my orders from Head Quarters, handed me by General Williams, then Adjutant General, which orders I now have in his handwriting." (Signed) P. BENSON. then Capt 1st Maryland.
Following this letter is a copy of the orders of the day of assault.7 The following are these orders, now taken directly from the original, but which were first printed in connection with Gen'l Benson's letter. They were addressed to Capt. Benson.
7 The original of these orders is in the possession of Mrs. Pascault, the daughter of Gen'l Benson, who is now living in Easton, Md.
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1 sub., 2 Serg'ts, 2 Corp'ls and 24 Privates to take post in each advance trench.
1 Serg't, and 10 fatigue men with intrenching tools &c., to be in the rear of each advanced party.
The 1st Maryland Regiments to take post in the advanced parallel. The 1st Virginia Regiment to take post in the 2d parallel.
The Rifle men will man the high batteries.
The rest of the troops will be under arms.
After a few shells from the Howitzer, and rounds from the advanced battery, the subalterns upon a signal agreed on will throw their parties into the enemy's ditch and make lodgments on the right and left. The fatigue parties will follow and pull down the sand bags and parapet. As soon as this can be effected, the advanced parties will mount with a cheer, and seizing every advantage drive the enemy out of their works, &c., &c.
Capt. Benson commanding the first Maryland Regiment will suppport the parties in front by advancing from the Right and Left and Col. Campbell will cover the whole.
18th of June 1781.
From these documents it is very plain what part Benson took in the assault. He did not actually lead the forlorn hope, as the attacking parties were called, but they were sent from his line and after a lodg- ment had been made by them, he gave his support. His first position was the one of greatest exposure, and after the assault had begun his duties were no less hazardous than those of the parties that first encoun- tered the enemy's fire. It is not proposed to give a full account of this terrible and disastrous assault on fort Ninety-Six. The reader is re- ferred to any general history of the war of the revolution for its details. Let it suffice to say that when the proper moment had arrived for Ben- son to lead his men out of the trenches to support those who made the first attack, he rushed impetuously into the ditches, there to encounter that terribly destructive fire which soon rendered it necessary for the Americans to be withdrawn into their lines. But Benson was not of those who were able of himself to escape from the jaws of death. He fell, fearfully wounded, while in the act of giving command to his regi- ment. A musket ball entered his left arm, passed through his shoulder and neck, and lodged in his face. The shock was so severe as to over- whelm him and to deprive him of the power of moving. A fellow sol- dier, Thomas Carney, a colored man, who fought by his side, took him upon his shoulders, carried him out of the ditch into the American lines, and laid him before the surgeon. Carney was a man of herculean strength and size, and Benson was scarcely his inferior in these respects. Yet
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Carney bore him off, at the same time carrying his own musket; but when he had accomplished his generous task, overcome with the heat and fatigue, he fainted. After his recovery which was speedy he insisted on returning to the assistance of those who had not yet extricated them- selves from the ditch, but was preëmptorily commanded to stay and take care of Captain Benson.8 The wound which he had received was thought at the time to be mortal, and under this impression Major Jonathan Gibson,9 who was then in the army with him, addressed the following letter of condolence to Mr. James Benson, his father.10
CAMP BEFORE NINETY SIX, So. CAROLINA, 17th June, 1781.
Dear Sir :- You'll pardon me for the shortness of my letter, as the opportunity now obtained is only for me to communicate the unhappy intelligence of the fate that befell my poor friend a few hours ago-your unfortunate son Perry. We have laid before this garrison 24 days, and in consequence of a reinforcement arriving in Charlestown encouraged the enemy to take the field, we were compel'd to make an attack by storm as the enemy were in full march to the relief of it. We carried
8 Thomas Carney was a yellow man, a resident and perhaps a native of Caro- line county, Maryland. He enlisted early in the war, and was a member of the company raised by Capt. Peter Adams. He followed the fortunes of the army in the campaigns of 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779 in the North, and then was transferred to the South with the Maryland troops. He there fought at Camden, Guilford Court House, Hobkirk's Hill, and as has been shown, was one of the assaulting party at Fort Ninety-Six. Whether he performed other military service is not known. He was a brave and faithful soldier. His honorable record was recog- nized by the State and the national governments, from each of which he received a pension that rendered him comfortable for life. The good service which he ren- dered to Capt. Benson was gratefully remembered by that gentleman; and when- ever he visited Caroline, he made it a point of duty always to call to see Thomas Carney, his old companion in arms, who had probably saved his life. It was the custom of Gen'l Benson whenever he reviewed the militia, a duty of which he was fond, to have Carney mounted and at his side ostensibly as servant, but really as his friend and benefactor. This colored Revolutionary sold'er lived much re- spected and died Aug. 30, 1828, soon after the demise of Benson, having attained the age of 74 years. This account of Thomas Carney is derived from a brief memoir of him published soon after his death, and from the recollections of persons now living who knew him.
9 Major Jonathan Gibson was from Miles River Neck. He was the son of Woolman Gibson, and the brother of Jacob Gibson of Marengo, who became so conspicuous in this county as a Democratic politician. Jonathan Gibson served through the war, and died in July, 1783, leaving no descendants.
10 The original of this letter is in the possession of Mrs. Pascault, daughter of General Benson.
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one of the works; in the attempt of the other we experienced it imprac- ticable, without making too great a sacrifice. 'Twas there your lamented son in a glorious attempt receiv'd a wound, I fear will deprive us of a Life, much regretted by his acquaintance-not only so, but a loss to his country. His conduct has been uniform, since the commencement of his military life, and should he leave us, you may in some measure reconcile the unhappy event by considering the sacrifice made in sup- porting the rights of his Country, and leaving the world with such a carrectre as must ever be considered a lasting Honor, not only to him, but his family, and the remaining generation from whence he took his Existence. The wound runs through his shouldre and neck and terminates in the right side of his face. The surgeons suspend their opinion as yet, as the wound has not been perfectly examin'd .- I think the symtims are against him. However I shall write you by the first opportunity.
I am, Sir, with every Esteem & Respect
Y'r Hhble Servt. J. GIBSON.
N. B. Two or three days will bring about a genl. action, as we are determined to fight the party that are attempting to relieve this garri- son. Everything at present promises us success. Mr. J. Benson.
Fortunately the apprehensions of Benson's companion-in-arms were not realized, for the father had the satisfaction, soon after, of receiving at home his son who had been the subject of so much generous commen- dation. Capt. Benson obtained leave of absence for six months, and returned to Maryland. His wound was of such severity and of such a nature as to incapacitate him for further actice service during the war: indeed it deprived him entirely of the use of his left arm, and besides gave him much suffering through life. The following extract from the General Orders issued on the day of the assault is indicative of the estimate placed upon Capt. Benson by Genl. Greene.
And there is great reason to believe that the attack on the starr battery, directed by Lieut. Col. Campbell, would have been equally fortunate if the brave lieutenants Duvall and Seldon who most valiantly led on the advanced parties had not been unluckily wounded. Their conduct meets the highest encomiums and must secure them perpetual honor. The loss of the amiable Capt. Armstrong, and the dangerous wound received by the intrepid Benson are to be regretted. Their names cannot be forgotten while acts of heroism are held in estimation.11
11 This has been taken from an exact copy of the General Orders, made by Jonathan Gibson, major of brigade, sent to the father of Capt. Benson, and now in the possession of his daughter Mrs. Pascault.
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Thus terminated the services of Capt. Benson in the war of independ- ence. He had served his country until he had become incapacitated by reason of his wounds. For this service he received little more than his own approbation. Of honors, as has already appeared, he had but a meagre share: of pecuniary reward what he obtained was equally slender. To be sure he had the half pay of an officer of his rank, but to this day his aged daughter is a suitor against the government for claims which have never been satisfied. In a notice of his death published in the Republican Star are the following words:
There is a thought that pierces us that this war worn partriot should have died a creditor of his country for the price of blood that sealed the independence of this great, this powerful, this independent republic.
Capt. Benson continued his connection with the army until the con- clusion of the war in 1783, when he was honorably discharged.
After the disbanding of the forces he settled himself on the parental estate at Wheatland, married, and gave himself up to the pursuits of agriculture; but the military life possessed charms for him to his latest day, and he did not fail, whenever there was occasion, to offer his serv- ices as a soldier to the state or nation. In the year 1794 the country was much agitated by an insurrection in the western counties of Pennsyl- vania, owing to an excise that had been imposed upon distilled liquors. Requisitions were made upon the states for troops. Recruiting stations were opened upon the Eastern Shore, and companies were formed. In June of that year the Governor of the State of Maryland appointed these militia officers in Talbot, namely:
Lieut. Colonel, John Hughes.
Perry Benson. -
Major,
Daniel P. Cox.
Robert Lloyd Nicols.
. Hugh Sherwood.
66 William Goldsborough.
John Eccleston of Dorchester was appointed General of Brigade. Several companies were raised in Talbot, and moved to the frontier. With them went Col. Benson. It is believed they proceeded no farther than Frederick, where Benson was in the latter part of September, as the insurgents dispersed and submitted, though companies commanded by Capt. Sherwood, of Talbot, and Capt. Beal remained near the dis- affected region for some time.
Again in 1798 when war with France was anticipated because of the
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spoliations of the privateers of that country upon our commercial marine, the most intense excitement prevailed in Talbot county. Col. Benson was among the most active in stimulating the military ardor of the young men. Some of the most stirring appeals which were printed in the single paper of the county, the Maryland Herald, can with safety be attributed to him. He took part in the spirited public meetings which were held, and aided by his rude but moving eloquence in arous- ing an enthusiasm for resistance to French aggressions which would have been of great service had actual hostilities broken out with our ancient ally. Fortunately there was no need of his girding on his sword.
In 1807 the whole country was aroused to the highest pitch of indigna- tion by the reckless and atrocious attack of the British ship Leopard upon the United States ship Chesapeake. Meetings were held in this county, as elsewhere, to give expression to the excited feelings of the people. Measures were taken by the state for placing the military in a condition for active hostilities, which were confidently expected to result. Companies were formed and officers appointed. Before the year 1800, the precise time not being known, Col. Benson had been made Brigadier General of the Maryland Militia. In 1807 William Hayward was appointed under him Colonel of the 4th regiment, and Perry Spencer (a remote kinsman of Benson) as Colonel of the 26th regiment; while Henry Johnson and William Smith were made Majors of the 4th and 26th regiments respectively. Of the many companies which were then formed, several retained their organization until actual hostilities with Great Britain broke out five years later. Genl. Benson as this time exhibited as much ardor and anxiety to engage with his ancient foe as in his earlier days.
Whatever may have been the opinions of others as to the policy of declaring war with England in 1812, there was no doubt in the mind of General Benson, although he was a decided Federalist, that there was righteous cause for such declaration. He regarded Great Britain as the foe of his country, and as such, a combat with her could never be wrong, though it might, at some time, be inexpedient. Minds like his, that have not been liberalized by contact with the wide world, or by the cultivation of letters, nourish their animosities, and find a pleasure in maintaining them. A hatred of England was an abiding feeling with Benson. As soon as war had been declared he interested himself actively in getting the militia of the county in a condition for effective service in case the enemy should make his appearance. The old military organi- zations were perfected and drilled. New ones were formed. Arms were
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put in order and efforts made, often ineffectually, to procure additional supplies.12 The county remained at peace until March, 1813, when the British fleet made its appearance in the Chesapeake, and those outrages began to be perpetrated that have covered the name of Cockburn with shame and infamy. These caused the utmost consternation to be felt by the people living in such situations as permitted the approach of the enemy by water. Talbot county was thought to be particularly exposed on account of the large number of rivers, creeks or estuaries which either bound or are embraced within her territory. By the middle of April of this year Admiral Warren who had reinforced Cockburn's command had advanced with a detachment of the fleet as far up the bay as Sharp's Island, which with Poplar and Tilghman's Islands he had taken possession of and was plundering. The alarm of the people of the county had become intense. Videttes were stationed at various points, and guard boats were placed in the rivers. Frequent reports of the approach of the enemy caused the repeated calling out of the militia, and its hurrying to the threatened places of attack; General Benson had command of all the forces within the county.
On the sixth of May occurred that pleasing episode of the war in Talbot, the presentation by the ladies of St. Michaels, through Genl. Benson, of a flag to the artillery company of Capt. Will. Dodson. To the graceful address of the ladies, Genl. Benson replied in an appropriate manner, in which he was pleased to say that he believed the women of St. Michaels were not behind those of Carthage or Rome, or of any other nation in patriotic devotion.
When the ships of the enemy's squadron had ascended as high as Kent Island, it was the common impression that sooner or later an attack would be made upon the town of St. Michaels where there were several vessels building, among which was a barge for river defense, in the ship- yard of Col. Perry Spencer, and some privateers. Besides, the capture of St. Michaels was almost a necessary preliminary to the capture of Easton, where the enemy might expect to obtain much more plunder,
12 In March 1813 a memorial was signed by General Benson and other promi- nent citizens of Talbot, and presented to the Governor and council; in which was set forth the defenceless condition of the county, particularly as regards efficient arms for the militia. This memorial was referred to the Secretary of War, Genl. Armstrong at Washington. But the replies of both the Governor and the Secretary were of a character to give little hope that any assistance would be given, and to indicate that the people of the county must depend upon their own courage and military skill if they would escape the ravages of the country.
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as well as do much more harm. Positive information, from deserters caused General Benson to believe that the attack on St. Michaels was not to be long deferred; so he concentrated at St. Michaels a consider- able number of troops-probably about six hundred-belonging to eight or ten companies of artillery, infantry and horse. It is not now pur- posed to give a full account of the affair at St. Michaels. This will be done at some future time. Suffice it to say that the attack was made early in the morning of the 10th of August, 1813, the enemy landing from barges on Parrott's Point, where there was a four gun battery, commanded by Capt. William Dodson, and over which the flag presented by the ladies was waving. This battery was captured, but not until one of the guns, heavily charged with grape, was most effectively dis- charged at the column of the enemy formed in the water, nor until the flag had been rescued by the commander. This warm reception caused the barges to draw off, and to open their fire upon the town from the river. This was replied to actively, and with so much skill that the enemy attempted no further landing, but returned to their fleet off Kent Point. The infantry was not engaged, but was drawn up in battle array, prepared to meet the enemy had he attempted to approach the town within musket range. The following is the official account of this affair as given by General Benson:
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