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Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Johns:

Benjamin was educated in the public schools of Cumberland Co. and of Southampton Twp. in Franklin Co.. He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty years old, when he apprenticed himself to the plastering trade, at which he worked until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then his ardent patriotism led him to become one of the first soldiers of the Union. He enlisted in Company I, 49th Regiment, P.V., September 16, 1861 and was transferred to Company A, January 11, 1863. He was promoted to corporal of his company March 1, 1865 and mustered out as a veteran July 16, 1865. From the siege of Yorktown, which began April 16th and lasted until May 4, 1862, to the action at Sailor's Creek, VA, April 6, 1865, he took part in seventeen battles and five skirmishes, making a total of 22 engagements. In 1862, he participated in nine battles: The siege of Yorktown, which lasted 18 days; Williamsburg, VA, May 5th; Gannett's Hill, VA, June 27th; Golding's Farm, VA, June 28th; Savage Station, VA, June 29th; White Oak Swamp, VA, June 30th; Malvern Hill, VA, July 1st; Antietam, MD, September 17th; and Fredericksburg, VA, December 13th. In 1863 he was in six battles: Fredericksburg, VA, April 29th; Gettysburg, PA, July 2nd & 3rd; Funkstown, MD, July 12th; Rappahannock Station, VA, November 7th; Locust Grove, VA, November 27th; and Mine Run, VA, November 28th, 29th & 30th. It is worthy to mention that although the battle of Gettysburg is generally supposed to have ended on July 3, 1863, Company A, of the 49th Regiment, P.V., in which Corporal Johns was serving, was sent out to skirmish at dawn on the 4th, and lay all day near the Devil's Den, in front of Round Top. In 1864 he took part in five of the hardest fought battles of the war: The Wilderness, May 5th-10th; Spottsylvania, VA, May 12th; Cold Harbor, VA, June 1st-12th; Weldon Railroad, VA, June 30th; and Petersburg, VA, June 22nd & 23rd. In 1865 he was in the assault at Petersburg, April 2nd and in the final action with the Confederates at Little Sailor's Creek, VA, April 6th, in which Ewell's Corps. was routed and General Ewell taken prisoner. At this battle, Mr. Johns was taken prisoner, and while he was with the Rebels was asked by General Ewell where the Union men were and who they were. Mr. Johns answered that the troops consisted of the 6th Corps. and Sheridan's Calvary and that they were all around him. The General said, "It looks very much like it." and he wrote a note which he dispatched by carrier. In a short time, eight of his general officers reported to him, and Mr. Johns was asked the same question, giving the same answer. The old general walked back and forth for a while, and then turning to his men said, "It looks very much like it and I think we should throw up the sponge and save life on both sides." The flag of truce was accordingly sent into the Union lines and Mr. Johns' regiment, the 49th PA, was detailed to take the prisoners back to Burksville Station, about 15 miles. On the way back, our subject heard General Ewell tell his colonel that but for information given him by a Yankee, he (Ewell) would have made another charge, which would undoubtedly have resulted in the useless slaughter of two or three hundred men. Mr. Johns also had the distinction of being an advisory member of a Rebel council of war. In his long and arduous service of four years, including the most sanguinary battles of the war, Corporal Johns escaped without a wound. Returning to civil life, he became a resident of Chambersburg, where he worked at his trade as a journeyman for a year and a half. He then lived in Pittsburgh and in Somerset Co. until 1877, when he returned to Chambersburg. In 1877 he began business as a contracting plasterman in which line he remained until he retired and at which he has been very successful. He had always had plenty of work, employing seven or eight hands. He did both plain and ornamental plastering, and it is conceded that he did the best and the most work in his calling in the Co.. In politics, Mr. Johns was a Republican; he had served as judge of elections in his ward, and had been twice a member of the Chambersburg town council. The second time he was elected a councilman as a Republican in a Democratic ward. He was also chosen Justice of the Peace for the 3rd ward, Chambersburg, but declined to serve. He build a handsome residence in which he lived, on Second Street, in 1883. He was a member of the Red Men, Pocahontas Council, and the Shepherds of Bethlehem. He always was one of the most active and enthusiastic members of the Housum Post, No. 309, G.A.R., and he is also an honorary member of the Ladies Circle, G.A.R. In his youth, his educational advantages were meager, his entire attendance at school covering a period of not more than 18 months, but he had always been a student and was a good penman and a fair scholar. He wrote well and is the author of a number of essays reminiscent of the Civil War, which have appeared in the National Tribune, and some of which have attracted wide attention and been the subjects of inquiry from old Confederate soldiers.

(This information was copied from Biographical Annals of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania.)