Los Angeles Times, October 16, 1916.
Drummer Hilliker Sinks into His Final Sleep
Just Before Passing He Plans Care of Instrument
Was Given Medal of Honor for Bravery in Action
Facing death with the same courage that had won him a special medal of honor from Congress and carried him through many battles of the Civil War, a hero, Benjamin F. Hilliker, a comrade of Stanton Post, No. 55, G.A.R., and one of the best known veterans in the State, passed away early yesterday morning at his residence, No. 426 North Broadway.
Several hours before the end came, physicians told the rapidly sinking veteran that it was expected at any minute, but Mr. Hilliker, knowing he had not long to live, calmly spent his remaining moments instructing his children how to preserve the precious drum that he had carried through the war, and the priceless medal of honor conferred on him by Congress for bravery at the siege of Vicksburg, June 4, 1863. With these important possessions attended to, the aged soldier bade good-by to his wife and three sons, and awaited the end, a smile on his face and his eyes resting on the American flag draped across the wall of his room.
ENLISTED AS DRUMMER
Comrade Hilliker was born in Erie county, New York, May 22, 1843. While still a young man he went to Wisconsin, and was residing in the city of Waupaca when the Civil War broke out. He was then 18 years old. When the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, world famed as the “Old Eagle Regiment” that went into battle with the giant live Eagle, “Old Abe,” screeching victory from its battle flag, started forming, young Hillier attempted to enlist. But so great were the number of men offering themselves, that the younger men were not admitted. But he was insistent, and finally was enrolled as drummer boy of Co. A.
Throughout the long war, Musician Hilliker drummed his comrades to victory, always keeping as far in front of the fighting line as possible, leading his comrades on with the roll of his drum. At the seige of Vicksburg he practically led the entire regiment in a charge on the Confederates that gained for Gen Grant a line of almost impregnable trenches of the enemy. The young drummer beat the charge while running 600 yards in front of his charging regiment, a Confederate bullet stopped him just as he gained the enemies lines. For many weeks he lay with a bullet lodged behind his right ear.
GALLANT ACTION
When he recovered, he was told that Congress had awarded him the Medal of Honor “for having in action involving actual combat with an enemy distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry or intrepidity, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
At the close of the war, Mr. Hilliker returned to Wisconsin, and later to Michigan. It was there he met and married Lydia L. Lamb. Three sons, now living in Los Angeles, were born to this union. They are Dr. E. P. Hilliker, Harley B. Hilliker and W. M. Hilliker. Mrs. Lydia Lamb Hilliker is remembered in the East for her work as a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps. Mr. Hilliker leaves a widow, Mrs. Mary Hilliker, his second wife, in Los Angeles.
Thirty-five years ago the veteran closed up his business in the East and moved to Los Angeles. He had been a resident of this city ever since, and was widely known in G.A.R. circles of the State. Until two months ago he enjoyed the best of health, and last Memorial Day participated in the services, beating his beloved drum in the Veterans’ Fife and Drum Corps.
When told he could live no longer, Comrade Hilliker instructed that his drum and medal of honor be encased in a cabinet and preserved to posterity. Funeral services will be conducted at Patriotic Hall at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery. Members of the Stanton Post and Stanton Relief Corps will conduct the services.
