b. 23/05/1843 Golden, New York. d. 18/10/1916 Los Angeles, California.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 04/06/1863 Mechanicsburg, Mississippi.
Benjamin F Hilliker MOH
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Civil War as a Musician and drummer boy in Company A, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Mechanicsburg, Mississippi, on June 4, 1863. His citation reads “When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force he laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to “lay him in the shade, he won’t last long.” He recovered from this wound, leaving him with an ugly scar”. His Medal was awarded to him on December 17, 1897. After the close of the war, he returned to Wisconsin and later moved to Michigan. Around 1888, he moved to Los Angeles, and was active in Grand Army of the Republic. Only months before his death, he participated in Memorial Day services, proudly beating the same drum that he had carried during the war. On his death bed, with his family gathered around, he spent his remaining moments instructing his children how to preserve his beloved drum and his cherished Medal of Honor.
MOH CITATION:
When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force he laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to “lay him in the shade; he won’t last long.” He recovered from this wound being left with an ugly scar.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA.
SECTION 12, LOT 308, GRAVE 3.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: LINCOLN MEMORIAL SHRINE, A.K. SMILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY, REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA.
