When he enlisted, he was 6 feet tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 12, 13]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private, for three years, on 22 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Reiff. He was a private, in company A. He was next mustered in on 31 October 1861, as a corporal, probably effective 20 August 1861. [sources: 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 20-26)]
At some point, he was promoted to the Color Guard. At some point, he was reduced to the ranks. [source: 11]
He was promoted to Sergeant on 10 April 1862. [source: 2]
He was assigned as Provost Guard to General Portor's Headquarters in September and October 1862. He was assigned as Provost Guard to General Meade's Headquarters from November 1862 to 10 May 1863. He was assigned as Provost Guard at Corps Headquarters from 11 May 1863 to 3 June 1863. [source: 2]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 15]
A medical record shows that he was in the regimental hospital due to being drunk from 20 August 1863 to 26 August 1863. [source: 5]
On 23 August 1863, he returned to duty from corps headquarters. On 26 August 1863, Sinex reported that he had been on duty as Provost Guard at Corps Headquarters, and had returned. [sources: 6, 10]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, for three years, on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia. [sources: 1, 2, 13]
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory assigned him to detached service at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to collect conscripts. In March and April he was assigned as Provost Guard to General Gibbon's Headquarters. On 27 April 1864, Sinex reported that he had been relieved from Camp Cadwalader, but had not yet reported to the regiment. [sources: 2, 7, 8]
He was killed accidentally on 2 May 1864, at the Delaware Junction of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad. While riding the train lying down, with his feet out the window, his feet were caught by a bridge and he was dragged out of the train. He was a private, in company A. He was buried in the Wilmington & Brandy Wine Cemetery, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14 ("died in action or of wounds received there"), 18, 20-26]
On 1 September 1864, his widow, Ella Redifer, applied unsuccessfully for a pension. [sources: 16, 17]
Bill Redheffer is studying Benjamin; contact him at [email protected].
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster.)
3 'A soldier killed by the cars', Journal + Statesman 6 May 1864. [supplied by Bill Redheffer]
4 'Fatal accident'. Delaware Gazette 13 May 1864. [supplied by Bill Redheffer]
5 Medical records, from the National Archives, supplied by Bill Redheffer.
6 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 26 August 1863
7 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
8 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 27 April 1864
9 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
10 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 23 August 1863 (Private Redheffer)
11 register of non-commissioned officers, company A (Benjamin Redheffer)
12 company A descriptive roll, entry 89 (Benjamin Redheffer)
13 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (Benjamin Redifer, rolls also have 'Redheffer')
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (Pri Redifer)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (B Redheffer)
16 pension index, by name (Benjamin Redifer)
17 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (Benjamin Redifer)
18 death notice, Public Ledger, 28 June 1864, page 2 (Benjamin S Redifer)
19 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Spring Garden, ward 3, precinct 1, microfilm series M432, film 818, page 512 verso = 1026 handwritten (Benjn Redheffer)
20 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Readheffer)
21 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Redheffer)
22 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Readheffir)
23 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Redheiffer)
24 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Rediffer)
25 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Readhiffer)
26 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Benjamin Redifer)
line | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Dwellings visited | 883 | ||||
Families visited | 961 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Name | Benjamin Redheffer | Hannah Redheffer | Benjn Redheffer | Hannah Redheffer | J [??] Redheffer |
Age | 36 | 35 | 7 | 3 | [illegible]/12 |
Sex | M | F | F [?] | F | F |
Color | |||||
Occupation of males over 15 years | Machinist | ||||
Real estate owned | |||||
Birthplace | " " [sc. Pennsylvania] | " " | " " | " " | " " |
Married within year | |||||
Attended school within year | 1 | ||||
Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
REDIFER--Killed on the 2d of May, BENJAMIN S REDIFER of Co. A 91st Reg't P V V, son of the late Benjamin and Hannah Redifer, in the [illegible] year of his age.
Oh desolate and [illegible word] our hearts are to day,He was found at the junction of the Delaware and Baltimore Railroads. [The last sentence is mostly illegible.]