In 1861 Bentzoni served as a Colonel in the Civil War and was later assigned as first sergeant of Company D, Eleventh United States Infantry. In 1864, he was made colonel of the Fifty sixth United States Colored Infantry and in 1865 was brevetted major and lieutenant colonel in recognition of his valor in the war. Near Helena, Arkansas in 1866, Bentzoni and a regiment of Black soldiers bought thirty acres and built a number of buildings as an orphanage that was named Southland College, later known as the Southland Institute. (The Institute closed in 1925.) Bentzoni served twenty five years in the service of his country in a number of capacities: private, instructor of infantry, first sergeant, colonel, captain, commander and recruiter. Bentzoni made his home in Los Angeles from 1894 to 1896 when he moved to San Francisco before embarking on a trip around the world. Bentzoni returned to Los Angeles in February of 1901 and took up residence. Of Colonel Bentzoni it was said that he was never too weary to enjoy a good story or a hearty laugh and he was always generous toward those less fortunate than he.
In 1861 Bentzoni served as a Colonel in the Civil War and was later assigned as first sergeant of Company D, Eleventh United States Infantry. In 1864, he was made colonel of the Fifty sixth United States Colored Infantry and in 1865 was brevetted major and lieutenant colonel in recognition of his valor in the war. Near Helena, Arkansas in 1866, Bentzoni and a regiment of Black soldiers bought thirty acres and built a number of buildings as an orphanage that was named Southland College, later known as the Southland Institute. (The Institute closed in 1925.) Bentzoni served twenty five years in the service of his country in a number of capacities: private, instructor of infantry, first sergeant, colonel, captain, commander and recruiter. Bentzoni made his home in Los Angeles from 1894 to 1896 when he moved to San Francisco before embarking on a trip around the world. Bentzoni returned to Los Angeles in February of 1901 and took up residence. Of Colonel Bentzoni it was said that he was never too weary to enjoy a good story or a hearty laugh and he was always generous toward those less fortunate than he.
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