Bates (1) has "Redifer". His headstone is misspelled in yet another way (2). His signature on the enlistment paperwork and the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg have "Redheffer" (2).
He was 16 years old when he enlisted (2).
He claimed he was 20 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (12, 13).
He was born in Philadelphia (12--
He was a farmer (12, 13). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (13).
He was 6 feet tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (12, 13).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private, for three years, on 22 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2, 13). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Reiff (12). He served in company A (1). He was next mustered in on 31 October 1861, as a corporal, probably effective 20 August 1861 (2, 11).
At some point, he was promoted to the Color Guard (11). At some point, he was reduced to the ranks (11).
He was promoted to Sergeant on 10 April 1862 (2).
He was assigned as Provost Guard to General Portor's Headquarters in September and October 1862 (2). He was assigned as Provost Guard to General Meade's Headquarters from November 1862 to 10 May 1863 (2). He was assigned as Provost Guard at Corps Headquarters from 11 May 1863 to 3 June 1863 (2).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15).
A medical record shows that he was in the regimental hospital due to being drunk from 20 August 1863 to 26 August 1863 (5).
On 23 August 1863, he returned to duty from corps headquarters (10). On 26 August 1863, Sinex reported that he had been on duty as Provost Guard at Corps Headquarters, and had returned (6).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, for three years, on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 2, 13).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory assigned him to detached service at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to collect conscripts (2, 7). In March and April he was assigned as Provost Guard to General Gibbon's Headquarters (2). On 27 April 1864, Sinex reported that he had been relieved from Camp Cadwalader, but had not yet reported to the regiment (8).
He was killed accidentally on 2 May 1864, at the Delaware Junction of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad (1, 2, 12, 13, 14 ["died in action or of wounds received there"]). 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 (3, 4). He was buried at Wilmington, Delaware (1, 3, 4).
On 1 September 1864, his widow, Ella Redifer, applied unsuccessfully for a pension (16, 17).
Bill Redheffer is studying Benjamin; contact him at wredheffer@aol.com.
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)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census (searched November 2005)