Served in the 53rd Regiment Indiana Volunteers Infantry at age 19 as a 'Substitute Volunteer' replacing Daniel Hepler, Jr. Mr. Hepler was a resident of Warren Twp, Putnam County, Indiana. Benjamin's enlistment contract is dated for substitute consideration on 7 February 1865 for a period of one year. He was certified as a Volunteer Substitute in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana as having blue eyes, dark hair, a light complexion and standing five feet, 10 3/4 inches tall. He was mustered out in Indianapolis on 8 May 1865 due to the surrender at Appomattox, Georgia, 9 April 1865, ending the Civil War.

"VETERAN ANSWERS TAPS -- Benjamin Blacketer of New Market Victim of Uremic Poisoning. -- Special to Journal. New Market. July 30 -- Benjamin Blacketer, an old soldier, aged 69 years, died at his home here last night at six after an illness of four days. He was the victim of uremic poisoning. He leaves a widow, Mary Blacketer, five daughters and two sons. The sons are Charley of Linden and Wesley of near New Market. The daughters are Mrs. William Van Cleave, Mrs. Gilbert Stump and Mrs. John Davis of New Market and Mrs. Dave Greenburg of Linden. The name of one daughter could not be learned. The funeral will occur at his late home on Thursday at eleven and will be conducted by Rev. Cornelius Alrhart of Greencastle, a well known Primitive Baptist minister. The interment will be in Indian Creek Hill cemetery. The deceased was formerly a farmer. He has been a resident of New Market for the past fifteen years." -- Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Friday, 1 August 1913 edition.

"Benjamin Blacketer. -- Benjamin Blacketer was born Jan. 28, 1844 and departed this life July 29, 1913, aged 69 years and 6 months. He was married to Miss Hattie Earnest Dec. 17, 1863. To them were born ten children. Those living are Mrs. Vina VanCleave, Wesley Blacketer, Mrs. Mary Stump, Mrs. Rosa Davis, Miss Ella Blacketer, Mrs. Stella Grimes, Miss Bertha Blacketer, Mrs. Daisy Greenburg and Charley Blacketer. Emma died in infancy. Among the many who remain to mourn is included his wife, four stepchildren, three daughters and one son, twenty-four grandchildren and on great grandchild and three sisters, Mrs. Jane Hudson, Mrs. Maude Wilson and Mrs. Mary Westfall. Mrs. Hattie Earnest Blacketer was taken May 24, 1904. He was again married April 20, 1905 to Mary E. Delaney. When a young man he responded to his country's call when her flag was endangered and served through the Civil war, proving a brave soldier and a loyal citizen. He was a good neighbor and merited the respect of all who knew him. He spent his life on the farm until about twelve years ago he retired to his home in New Market. He was a kind parent and will be greatly missed by all his loved ones." -- Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Friday, 8 August 1913 edition.