Benjamin Hopkins joined Company G as a private on 5 Sept. 1861. He did not reach the rank of captain until the end of December 1862. Hopkins received the rank of captain over 1st lieutenant William Elliott, whose lack of leadership and judgment resulted in the death of four and the capture of 81 Fifth Illinoisans at the McAlpin farm on 22 Oct 1862. Col. John McConnell called Hopkins "a man of great energy and industry," who would "fill the [captaincy] . . . efficiently."

Hopkins crossed the Atlantic from England when he was fourteen. He took a boat from New Orleans, landed in Pike County, became a teamster for the army, until he enlisted in Company G in 1861. He was 23 years old when he enlisted and listed Griggsville as his place of residence. If you have more questions, let me know. I have almost completed the history of the 5th Illinois and will be submitting it for publication by the summer.

Rhonda Kohl