Capt. Benjamin Turner, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 440-442. Edited by Alc‚e Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. CAPT. BENJAMIN TURNER Turner, Capt. Benjamin, successful and well-known merchant and bank director, was born near Pineville, Rapides parish, La., Dec. 6, 1839. His father, Benjamin Turner, Sr., was a native of New York City, and was second of 3 sons born to his parents. Before he was quite grown Benjamin Turner, the father, left his New York home to seek his fortune, and never returned to the parental roof. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Brower, and her ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam, now the City of New York. Her husband was drowned during a storm on New York Bay while on a sailing excursion, leaving his widow with 3 children. Benjamin Turner, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, made his way south and in the year 1830 was married to Miss Nancy Bradley, at Vermilionville, now Lafayette, La., In 1838, having encountered business reverses, he removed to Alexandria La., and after a brief stay there located in the country near Pineville, where his death occurred Sept. 17, 1839. He was survived by his widow and 2 daughters, Bithiah and Ava Rilla. The son, Benjamin, was not born until the December following the father's death. Benjamin attended public and private schools at Pineville, and later also at Alexandria, at which latter place he was instructed by the late H. S. Losee, who afterward became a practicing attorney at Alexandria. At the age of 14 years Benjamin devoted some time to learning telegraphy, but soon deciding that he did not desire to become a telegrapher, gave his attention to employment as a clerk in the general store of his brother-in-law, the late C. W. Boyce. At the age of 16 years he purchased a lot at Pineville and upon this erected a dwelling for his mother and himself. Capt. Turner occupies this house at this time, which, of course, has undergone various changes and improvements. In 1857, his brother-in-law, Boyce, having retired from mercantile business and become the proprietor of the Red River American, a newspaper published at Alexandria, he entered the service of the brother-in-law in this enterprise and learned the business of a printer. In 1860 Mr. Boyce disposed of the Red River American and established the Constitution, a weekly newspaper at Alexandria, Benjamin Turner assisting in this new enterprise as publisher and local editor. The paper continued under this arrangement until the beginning of the Civil war, when, in 1861, Benjamin Turner assisted in raising a company for service in the Confederate army and was elected second lieutenant of the company, which was known locally as the Westbrook Guards. His company was mustered into service as Co. E, 11th Louisiana volunteer infantry, and after a short time at Union City, Tenn., was ordered by Gen. Polk, then commanding the army of Tennessee, to occupy Columbus, Ky., that place commanding a view of the Mississippi river looking towards Cairo, Ill. Here Lieut. Turner was elected first lieutenant of his company, Lieut. Cazabat having been made quartermaster of the regiment. Shortly following his promotion his command participated in the battle of Belmont, which was fought on the opposite side of the river, near Columbus, Ky., and in which engagement the regiment gained some renown and earned for itself the soubriquet of "The Bloody Eleventh.'' While the battle was raging fiercely and disastrously for the Confederates, the eleventh was sent across the river and, executing a timely flank movement, succeeded in turning the tide of battle and drove the Federals, under Gen. Grant, to their gunboats and transports, on which they hurriedly embarked for Cairo. After the evacuation of Columbus, in March, 1862, the eleventh regiment was sent to New Madrid, then to Island No. 10, and to Fort Pillow. While encamped on the Tennessee side, opposite Island No. 10, Lieut. Turner was promoted to the rank of captain and took command of his company, Capt. Westbrook having resigned. After a few days at Fort Pillow, the regiment was ordered to Corinth, Miss., where the southern armies were then concentrating for the great struggle that culminated at Shiloh. Capt. Turner led his company with conspicuous galantry at the battle of Shiloh, and in the course of the first day's fight was severely wounded in the head and left shoulder about 2 'o'clock in the afternoon. After the battle he was granted leave of absence and returned home, but as soon as he had sufficiently recovered from his wounds he rejoined his command at Corinth. A short time afterward the army of Tennessee evacuated Corinth and took up its headquarters at Tupelo, Miss., where it underwent a rigid drill and discipline under Gen. Bragg, who had succeeded to the command. In August the army was ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn., going via Mobile thence up the Alabama river to Montgomery and then by rail to Chattanooga. It was near this place the regiment was disbanded by order of Gen. Bragg, and the officers directed to return home and await further orders from the war department. Afterward Capt. Turner was assigned to duty by Gen. Richard Taylor at Alexandria, La., and later he reported to Gen. E. Kirby Smith at Shreveport, and was put in charge of the courier service in Arkansas, under Gen. Holmes and Gen. Magruder. He surrendered at Shreveport in May, 1865. After the war, Capt. Turner returned to Pineville, La., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he has continued to this time. Feb. 6, 1868 Capt. Turner was married to Miss Julia M. Ball, and 3 sons and 1 daughter have been born to their union. Capt. Turner has served the people among whom he lives in various official capacities at different times. He has filled the office of a member of the town council of Pineville, and during several years served as a member of the school board. Capt. Turner took a prominent part in the organization of the Rapides bank, and was a charter member of that corporation. Later he also assisted in the organization of the First National and City Savings bank. He is a member of the board of directors of each of these institutions. He is interested, also, in various other enterprises about the city of Alexandria, and takes an active part in directing these. In addition to his many other interests and connections, Capt. Turner has served as chairman of the democratic executive committee of the parish, and is at all times found ready and willing to do his full share in discharging the obligations of good citizenship. He has been a prominent figure in the locality in which he resides during many years.