Id’d Albumen of Private John A. Bensing Co. F 87th Illinois Infantry

Id’d Albumen of Private John A. Bensing Co. F 87^th Illinois Infantry – This albumen is identified by inked writing the pasteboard backing which states:

“Grandpa

John Bensing

Rode in the Calvary (sic)

w/ Teddy Roosevelt”

Although there was a John G. Bensing who served in the 8^th U.S. Cavalry during the Spanish American War, this John A. Bensing served in the 87^th Illinois during the Civil War, as noted by the various accoutrements, uniform elements and weapon; apparently, someone in the Bensing family mistakenly believed that their grandfather served during the Spanish-American War. In the image, Bensing is wearing a M1858, enlisted, nine-button frock coat, and forage cap; his accoutrements include a cartridge box with shoulder sling (breast plate was gilded to obscure the eagle), percussion cap box and enlisted belt with plate (plate obscured by gilding); Bensing holds what appears to be a M1842 musket with a sling. The image is slightly toned but remains in overall good condition. Bensing enlisted in August 1862 and mustered out in June 1865; his regiment would spend most of its wartime service in the western theater, with their last engagement in North Carolina at the Battle of Bentonville.

Beneath the image proper, below the circumferential oval gold decorative ring, is the name of the photographer: “CHARLES A. SAYLOR. READING, PA.” – He was known in the Reading area for his photography and during that time was the oldest active member in his profession. He was well known for photos of Civil War soldiers. There is a partial collection of his work in the New York Public Library. Through the years, he had studios at various locations in the city. Later he owned and operated the New York Gallery in Reading. During earlier years, he was active in politics, a Republican and served three terms (1873-1883) on the Ward 7 school board. He retired in 1912 after the death of his wife, Elmira, followed three months later by the loss of his only daughter, Nellie. A 1920 census recorded him living with his son C. Clifford and his wife Emma. He died there the following year from heart failure. His estate was valued at $25,000. His will provided for his six grandchildren the sum of $1600 and the remainder of his estate was to be divided among his three surviving children– Harry, Clifford and Frederick.

Measurements: Pasteboard backing – H – 10; W – 8”;    Albumen – H – 7.25”; W – 5” (widest area of oval image)

John A. Bensing

Residence Carmi, IL.
Enlisted on 8/15/1862 as a Priv.

On 9/22/1862, he mustered into “F” Co. Illinois 87th Infantry.
He was Mustered Out on 6/16/1865 at Helena, AR

ILLINOIS EIGHTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years) Eighty-seventh Infantry. – Col., John E. Whiting; Lieut.- Col., John M. Crebs; Maj., George W. Land. This regiment was enlisted in Aug., 1862, and was composed of Cos. A and E, from Hamilton county, H from Edwards, D from Wayne, and B, C, F, G, I and K, from White. In the latter part of August the companies went into camp at Shawneetown, Ill., where the organization of the regiment was effected, and it was mustered in Oct. 3, the muster to take effect from Aug. 2. On Jan. 31, 1863, it embarked on the two transports Freestone and May Duke for Mem- phis, Tenn., arriving there on Feb. 4. While at that city the 87th and 63d Ill. regiments made a raid on Hernando, Miss., capturing a great deal of property and putting a stop to the incursions of Col. Bligh’s partisan Confederate cavalry. These two regiments joined in the Vicksburg campaign and on May 22 closed up the gap on the extreme left of the line of investment, where they remained for 6 hours under a steady fire of shot and shell from the enemy’s works. On the night of July 4 the regiment moved out on the road to Jackson Miss., and participated in the battles before and after reaching that place. During September and October it was engaged in the movements along the Atchafalaya river and Bayou Teche, being in the affairs at Grand Coteau and Vermillionville, La. In April, 1864, it was actively engaged at the battle of Bayou de Paul, losing about 30 men in killed and wounded. It took part in the battle of Sabine cross-roads and was the only regiment in that disastrous defeat that left the field in regimental formation. On the following day it was in the battle of Pleasant Hill, and on the retreat to Alexandria it was either in the front, flank or rear of the retreating column, constantly engaged with the enemy’s skirmishers. In May it was in the advance and continu- ally under fire in the movement from Alexandria to Simsport, being in the battle of Marksville. On May 2l it went into camp at Morganza bend, La. where it remained during the summer and fall, engaged in scouting and fighting along the network of bayous between the Mississippi on the east and Atchafalaya on the west, Red river on the north and Bayou Plaquemine on the south. It captured more prisoners, horses and stores, and destroyed more Confederate property, than all the combined forces camped at Morganza. Early in August a detachment of about 50 men from the regiment was surrounded and captured by a largely superior force of the enemy near Williamsport, La. In Jan., 1865, the regiment moved to Helena, Ark., where it remained doing scouting service until mustered out, June 16, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, Ill., where it arrived June 24.

87th Illinois Infantry Regiment

The 87th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, later the 87th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Service

The 87th Illinois Infantry was organized at Shawneetown, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on October 3, 1862. It was mounted in November, 1863.

The regiment was mustered out on June 16, 1865.

Total strength and casualties

The regiment suffered 1 officer and 15 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 3 officers and 219 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 238 fatalities.

Commanders

• ColonelJohn E. Whiting – resigned October 8, 1863
• Lieutenant ColonelJohn M. Crebs – Mustered out with the regiment.

87th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

Overview:

Organized at Shawneetown, Ill., and mustered in October 3, 1862. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., January 31-February 4, 1863. Attached to District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, District of Memphis, Tenn., 5th Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Department of the Gulf to September, 1863. Unattached Cavalry, Dept. of the Gulf, to November, 1863. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to January, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to July, 1864. Cavalry Brigade, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. Cavalry Brigade, Reserve Division, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. Cavalry District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to June, 1865.

• Service:
• Duty at Memphis, Tenn., till May, 1863. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., May 9-11. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assault on Vicksburg May 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Moved to Natchez, Miss., July 25; thence to New Orleans, La., August 10. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Regiment mounted in November. Washington, La., October 31. Grand Coteau November 3. Vermillionville November 11. Camp Pratt November 20. Grosse Tete Bayou February 19, 1864. Banks’ Red River Campaign March 10-May 22, 1864. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Monett’s Ferry and Cloutiersville March 29-30. Natchitoches March 31. Wilson’s Farm April 7. Sabine Cross RoadsApril 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Retreat to Alexandria April 10-26. About Cloutiersville April 22-24. Monett’s Ferry, Cane River Crossing, April 23. Occupation of Alexandria April 26-May 13. Wilson’s Landing May 2. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Avoyello, or Marksville Prairie, May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18. At Morganza, and on steamer Baltic, Marine Brigade, May to September. Scouting in Bayous between Mississippi, Atchafalaya and Red Rivers and Bayou Plaquemine. Expedition from Morganza to the Atchafalaya May 30-June 5. Livonia May 30. Near Morganza June 4. Bayou Grosse Tete June 19. Atchafalaya July 21. Scout from Morganza August 10-12. Bayou Lotsworth August 11. Operations near Morganza September 16-25. Williamsport September 16. Moved to mouth of White River, Ark., September 4, and duty there till January, 1865. 3 Companies at St. Charles. Moved to Helena, Ark., and duty there till June. Scout from Helena to Madison, Ark., February 8-13. Friar’s Point February 10. Skirmish near Madison February 12. Scout from Helena to Clark’s Store February 24 (Detachment). Mustered out June 16, 1865.Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 15 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 219 Enlisted men by disease. Total 238.