Eugene B. Beaumont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont
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| Born | August 2, 1837 Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 17, 1916 (aged 79) Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial |
Hollenback Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861 – 1892 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel USA Brevet Colonel USV |
| Unit | 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Red River War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont was an important American soldier. He was born in 1837 and lived until 1916. He fought in the American Civil War for the Union Army. He even received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award a soldier can get. This was for his bravery in battles like the one at the Harpeth River and the Battle of Selma. After the Civil War, he also served in the American Indian Wars in the western United States.
Early Life and Training
Eugene Beaumont was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His father, Andrew Beaumont, was a U.S. Representative. In 1856, Eugene began studying at the West Point military academy. He graduated in 1861 and became a second lieutenant. His first assignment was with the 1st Cavalry Regiment. Soon after, he married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Rutter.
Serving in the Civil War
Beaumont started his military career by training soldiers in Washington, D.C.. In June 1861, he became an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to General Ambrose Burnside. He took part in the First Battle of Bull Run. Later, he worked for General John Sedgwick during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862. He became ill with typhoid fever but returned to duty in August 1862.
He then worked for General-in-Chief Henry Halleck. Beaumont wanted to return to active fighting. In May 1863, he rejoined General Sedgwick as a captain. He fought in many important battles, including Gettysburg and the Wilderness.
By December 1864, Beaumont was a major. He led the 4th Cavalry Regiment in a successful mission. They captured a Confederate artillery battery at the Harpeth River in Tennessee. Four months later, in April 1865, he led his regiment in an attack on Confederate forts at the Battle of Selma. For his brave actions in these battles, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1898.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War, Beaumont continued to serve with the 4th Cavalry. He was stationed in different parts of the western United States. He commanded military districts and forts. During the Red River War, he fought in the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.
From 1875 to 1879, he taught cavalry skills at West Point. He was then promoted to major. He commanded Fort Reno in the Indian Territory and later participated in a campaign against the Ute tribe. He also commanded Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Bowie and Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
Eugene Beaumont retired from the army in 1892 as a lieutenant colonel. He passed away in 1916 at the age of 79 in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania. He was buried in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre.
