Levi Bennethum

Levi Bennethum

On April 24, 1861, Levi Bennethum (December 22, 1839 to August 26, 1915) and his older brother Jonathan, both of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, were mustered in to Company E., 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Camp Curtain in Harrisburg. Levi served as 3rd Corporal in this three-month regiment, which was mustered out at Carlisle Barracks (at the orders of Governor Andrew Curtain because Harrisburg was overrun by returning three-month regiments) on August 7, 1861.

On November 26, 1861, Levi was mustered in to Company D, 90th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (Older brother Jonathan and younger brother George joined Company D, 55th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Both were subsequently captured and sent to Andersonville [Georgia] Prison where George died). Levi served as a Sergeant during the Battle of Gettysburg where the regiment was engaged as part of Baxter's Brigade, Robinson's Division of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac on Oak Ridge on July 1st and in Ziegler’s Grove on July 3rd. In his History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, Samuel Bates lists Levi Bennethum as “unaccounted for” at muster out, however, his name appears on the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg and the 1890 Federal Census’s Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines and Widows, Etc. indicates that he had been properly mustered out of both the 14th and the 90th regiments. Additionally, a pension was paid to his wife, Catharine (Corcoran) Bennethum, recognizing his service in both of these regiments.

Levi Bennethum is buried in Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church Cemetery, Womelsdorf, Berks, Pennsylvania beside his wife and next to his brother, Jonathan. His brother, George, is buried at Andersonville, Georgia in Grave #4752.

Photograph and information submitted by Levi Bennethum's great great great grandson, Steven D. Heffner, General George H. Thomas Camp #18 (Lancaster), Pennsylvania Department, SUVCW.

Levi Bennethum (ca 1914)