Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Edward Bentley

10^th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 9/1861 Camp Butler Springfield, IL
Mustered In: 11/25/1861 Camp Butler Springfield, IL
Mustered Out:  11/22/1865 San Antonio, TX

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:

The 10^th was a three year cavalry unit. Its period of service was within the western theater of operations during the American Civil War (ACW).

In 1/1862 the unit moved to Quincy, IL for education and drill. From there, in March, it travelled to Benton Barracks, MO. While there a detachment of the 10^th clashed with the enemy at Cane Hill, AR. In October another element successfully attacked Rebel forces in Marshfield, MO. Other confrontations completed the calendar year.

1863 found elements of the 10^th scouting and performing other duties throughout Missouri and in Arkansas. Two of the more lengthy expeditions undertaken by the regiment involved the capture of Arkansas Post (1/9 - 11) and to Ft. Pemberton via Yazoo Pass (2/3 – 3/28). Movements were also made into Louisiana.

During 9/1863 the 10^th took an active part in the engagement at Bayou Fourche (9/10) and the capture of Little Rock, AR. Having re-enlisted as veteran volunteers, in early ‘64 the regiment was sent home on furlough.

On 7/14/1864 at Bayou Des Arc, near Searcy, AR two hundred twenty five (225) men of the 10^th were surrounded and attacked by about twelve hundred (1200) of the enemy. Although vastly outnumbered, the 10^th men cut their way out with a loss of two (2) killed and twenty (20) taken prisoner. Other skirmishes concluded the year. 

In early 1865 veterans and recruits of the 10^th were consolidated with members of 15^th Illinois Cavalry. The reconstituted and reorganized unit was known as 10^th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Cavalry. This incarceration was mustered out in late11/1865.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 1; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 3; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 24 Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 262. 

SOLDIER:
Residence: Barry, IL  Age: ca. 21 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 1/1/1862 Springfield, IL Rank:  Pvt.
Mustered In: 2/28/1862
Mustered Out: 12/30/1864
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Edward Bentley was born circa 1841. His place of birth was within the state of Indiana.

Father of Edward was William Bentley. His mother was Jane (nee McDowell) Bentley.

The 1850 U.S. Census for Pike Township Perry County, IL listed Edward, 10, with his parents William, 56, and Jane, 48. Siblings were William H., 19; Mary, 16, George, 12 and Frederick, 7.

1860. The census for Sullivan County, MO listed Edward, 20, as still residing with his parents.

On 1/1/1862 Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army. At that time he was physically described as follows: 5’9” in height; brown hair; blue eyes and fair complexion. His occupation was “farmer.”

4/28/1892. On that date, while in Missouri, Edward applied for a U.S. Government Disability Pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. The request was granted.

In 1910 the census for Bellingham Whatcom County, WA listed Edward, 69 with wife Alice C. Bentley, aged 69. Alice had been born in West Virginia. The couple had been married for 39 years.

Edward died on 7/19/1914 in Whatcom County, WA. He was/is buried in Bellingham’s Bayview Cemetery.

After her husband’s passing Alice petitioned the U.S. Government to continue receiving at least a portion of his pension stipend. That request was granted. The date of her death and final resting place are not known.

Newspaper Notice:
 Edward H. Bentley, aged 73 years, passed away at the family residence 2430 Franklin Street, Sunday, July 19, after an illness of several years. He was a member of the Christian church and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Sweet Springs, MO., and of J.B. Steadman Post No. 24 Grand Army of The Republic, Bellingham.  He is survived by Mrs. Bentley, and one son, T.C. Bentley, of this city.  The funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 21, at 10 o’clock a. m. from the funeral parlors of Undertaker Harry O. Bingham. 1319 Dock Street. Rev. F.B. Culver of the Evangelical church officiating. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery. The funeral car will leave from the corner of North and Franklin at 9:50 for the convenience of the relatives.
__________________________________________________________________________________

* In the American Civil War Research database surname appears as Bently.

NOTE:  The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for details on obtaining a copy of the download Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (with June 2014 update) from which much of the above information was adopted.

Posted: 1/8/2024
Updated: 

Buried at BayView Cemetery Whatcom Co.