Benjamin was born Feb. 7, 1840, a son of Philip and Catherine Foltz Haines. Not much is currently known about his early years. He enlisted with Co. I of the 13th on May 18th in Romney, Virginia. Ben served for 2 years with the 13th. He had missed a few engagements due to illness but was present during the 2nd Winchester. From this battle, he returned with an officer's diary, believed to have been owned by a captain of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery who had been captured (William Martins). Benjamin also retrieved a book with Captain Martins' name written inside the cover – a book that covered the tactics used during the Crimean War. Not long after the 2nd Winchester, Benjamin was reported as a deserter. Whether by transfer or on his own – Ben ended up serving the remainder of the war with the 18th Virginia Cavalry and possibly had been for a period, detached to the Signal Corp. Ben married Nancy Offutt after the war and raised a large family. He farmed his property and late in life either he or one of his sons operated a store and post office in a building across the road from his house. There are historical maps indicating there was a ‘Hainesville' at one time – and the store is marked as its location. This property is located at the intersection of Voit Rd. and Old Martinsburg Grade Rd. Ben for a period had been the secretary of the local Confederate Veterans Organization which held picnics at Camp Walker in Frenchburg, WV (near Augusta). He died on May 28, 1918 and an article in the local Romney, WV paper stated that a terrible thunderstorm occurred during the funeral service at Salem Church (where he had taught Sunday School), where mourners could not see each other due to the darkness caused by the storm. His headstone is marked with the 13th Virginia Co. K (not sure why the K – assuming a mistake by his widow).
Ben's descendants still return to his farm regularly to gather and enjoy each other's company, play music, celebrating holidays together, etc. His farmhouse is still standing, descendants occupying the home.
Ben's descendants still return to his farm regularly to gather and enjoy each other's company, play music, celebrating holidays together, etc. His farmhouse is still standing, descendants occupying the home.
Benjamin was born Feb. 7, 1840, a son of Philip and Catherine Foltz Haines. Not much is currently known about his early years. He enlisted with Co. I of the 13th on May 18th in Romney, Virginia. Ben served for 2 years with the 13th. He had missed a few engagements due to illness but was present during the 2nd Winchester. From this battle, he returned with an officer's diary, believed to have been owned by a captain of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery who had been captured (William Martins). Benjamin also retrieved a book with Captain Martins' name written inside the cover – a book that covered the tactics used during the Crimean War. Not long after the 2nd Winchester, Benjamin was reported as a deserter. Whether by transfer or on his own – Ben ended up serving the remainder of the war with the 18th Virginia Cavalry and possibly had been for a period, detached to the Signal Corp. Ben married Nancy Offutt after the war and raised a large family. He farmed his property and late in life either he or one of his sons operated a store and post office in a building across the road from his house. There are historical maps indicating there was a ‘Hainesville' at one time – and the store is marked as its location. This property is located at the intersection of Voit Rd. and Old Martinsburg Grade Rd. Ben for a period had been the secretary of the local Confederate Veterans Organization which held picnics at Camp Walker in Frenchburg, WV (near Augusta). He died on May 28, 1918 and an article in the local Romney, WV paper stated that a terrible thunderstorm occurred during the funeral service at Salem Church (where he had taught Sunday School), where mourners could not see each other due to the darkness caused by the storm. His headstone is marked with the 13th Virginia Co. K (not sure why the K – assuming a mistake by his widow).
Ben's descendants still return to his farm regularly to gather and enjoy each other's company, play music, celebrating holidays together, etc. His farmhouse is still standing, descendants occupying the home.
Ben's descendants still return to his farm regularly to gather and enjoy each other's company, play music, celebrating holidays together, etc. His farmhouse is still standing, descendants occupying the home.
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