Benjamin Sisler

Company E, 45th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

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Benjamin Sisler was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. He came to Illinois with his parents at the age of 7. Ben was raised on his parents’ farm in Woodland Township, Carroll County, Illinois.

At the age of 18, Ben enlisted in Company E, 45th Illinois Infantry Regiment. His unit saw action in Ft Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Operations against Vicksburg [Central Mississippi Campaign, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, Siege of Vicksburg], Meridian Campaign, Atlanta Campaign [Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesborough], March to the Sea, and the Campaign of the Carolinas [Bentonville].
Benjamin was severely wounded in the head during the Siege of Vicksburg. In a letter to his girlfriend and soon to be wife Mary, Ben wrote, "I sit down to inform you that I am still a living and am in tolerable good health. I am as well as I ever was. But I can tell you that the wretches has hit me at last, but not dangerous. They hit me on the top of the head it made a gash about as long as my finger. I do not want you to fret yourself about me being wounded, for you know that I can take care of myself as long as anyone out there can."

Benjamin served his country with honor for nearly 4 years and was mustered out on July 12, 1865 at Louisville Kentucky.

After the war, Ben returned home to Illinois and with his wife Mary, raised 3 daughters on their farm in Woodland Township. Benjamin Sisler, widower and retired farmer, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 85.

Submitted by: Brad

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