Benjamin F. Cousins Jr.
1868-July 1, 1898
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, July 20, 1898, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Corporal Ben Cousins Killed.
From Tuesday's Star.
It has been reported that Benj. Cousins, formerly of this city, who went to the front with the regular army, was killed at Santiago. In the list of dead appears the name of "Corporal Cousins" of the 25th infantry, which corresponds. However, Congressman Hamilton is endeavoring to find out definitely as to Mr. Cousin's fate.
Mrs. Cousins was seen by a STAR reporter at 5:30 this afternoon and she seems to be certain that it is her son who was killed.
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, July 27, 1898, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. B. Cousins has received a postal from Elwood A. Firman, a comrade of her son who was killed at Santiago. Mr. Firman says "Bennie was killed on July 1, the first day of the fight. He was shot through the stomach and died in 15 minutes." Mrs. Cousins also has a letter from a man named John Hopkins who was wounded. It was thought that it was Peter Hopkins, a former Nilesite, but the letter proves that it was not.
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, March 29, 1899, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
HOME FROM EL CANEY
Remains of Corporal Benjamin Cousins Have Arrived in New York City.
TO BE CONVEYED HERE
Quarter Master Ludington Will Wire the Mother of the Deceased When the Mortal Remnants Leave the Eastern Metropolis
The remains of Corporal Benjamin Cousins, a former Niles boy, who was killed in the bloody skirmish at El Caney on July 1, have arrived in New York City and will probably be forwarded home at once. Benjamin Cousins had been in the service of Uncle Sam, as a regular, for nearly five years.
And at the time of his death, he had but 10 days to serve, however, it was his intention to re-enlist at the expiration of his term.
General Quarter-Master Ludington has written Mrs. Cousins to the effect that as soon as the remains of her son are shipped from New York, he will notify her by telegraph.
General Merritt also wrote a letter of condolence to Mrs. Cousins.
At noon today Mrs. Cousins had not received the looked for telegram but it will, no doubt, soon be received as our exchanges announce the arrival at New York of the bodies brought home from Cuban battle grounds.
Uncle Sam certainly exhibits a tender regard for the relatives of deceased soldiers by undertaking to exhume, embalm and transport the bodies of the dead to their distant Northern homes to the great consolation of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and dear friends.