Company B 22nd Regiment Sketches of Spartanburg Men

Captain Willis Alexander Benson Willis Alexander Benson was born on May 24, 1831, and was the son of Silas and Nancy Benson. He was brought up on his father's farm and attended the country school nearby in Spartanburg county. He was married to Martha Ballenger. Soon after the outbreak of the war, he volunteered in Company B of the 22nd Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. This company was made up of the most part of men of Spartanburg county with a few from Greenville county. Captain Benson in course of time was elected one of its lieutenants and upon the resignation or discharge of Captain Robert G. Fleming, who was severely wounded in a fight between Richmond and Petersburg, May 22, 1864, he became captain of his company, which position he held until his death, which occurred in the trenches near Petersburg, June 18, 1864, caused by the explosion of a shell from the enemy's batteries in his front. He was said to be a man of high honor and a pure patriot on the battlefield.

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