Peculiar details regarding the actual rank of Risden Tyler Bennett appear contradictory with different sources. Has the true answer been lost in history?
From the article: “He enrolled as a private in Company C (Anson Guards) in April 1861.
Fifteen months later, at the age of 22, he was promoted to colonel of the 14th North Carolina.“
‘After Malvern Hill, the 14th Regiment welcomed its new and third regular colonel:
Risden Tyler Bennett of Wadesboro, Anson County. He received his colonel’s commission July 5 [1862].'”
Fourteenth Regiment, Company C – NC Volunteers Roster
Bennett’s Wikipedia Page
Screenshot is linked to source of biography:
From this piece:
“He refused to comply with a request of Chief Justice Clark
that he furnish photographs of the officers if the 14th North Carolina,
because those of the privates were not to be included,
and this “disturbed my democratic sense of equality.”
Risden Tyler Bennett is NOT found on this list…
A few details catch attention in this photo. A couple are Bennett’s position in the stirrups
and the trench coat seems a bit much for June 1 in the Piedmont of North Carolina.
Judge Bennett looks to deceptively position himself to appear taller than he really was.
Midnight must have been thin or had some other physical characteristic
that made it easier for a short man to stand in the stirrups without it being highly noticeable.
There is nothing official showing Bennett ever attained the rank of Colonel,
and there also aren’t any official records on the wounds he claimed to sustain in combat.
He was apparently married on one of his ‘convalescent’ trips to Anson County for ‘healing.’
This property map from the early 1880s shows that
Judge Risden Tyler Bennett basically owned the North side of Wadesboro.
To Be Continued…