George Lafayette Beal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Lafayette Beal
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| Born | May 21, 1825 Norway, Maine |
| Died | December 11, 1896 (aged 71) Norway, Maine |
| Place of burial |
Norway Pine Grove Cemetery, Paris, Maine
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 10th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment 29th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Adjutant General of Maine Pension Agent State Treasurer of Maine |
George Lafayette Beal (born May 21, 1825 – died December 11, 1896) was an important American politician from Maine. He was also a brave soldier who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
George Beal's Early Life
George Beal was born in a town called Norway, in the state of Maine. His father was actually one of the people who helped start the town! George went to school at Westbrook Seminary. He was very interested in military things, even before the war started. He became the Captain of a local group of citizen-soldiers called the Norway Light Infantry. Before the war, he worked as an agent for the Canadian Express Company.
George Beal in the Civil War
When the Civil War began, George Beal was the very first person in Oxford County to join the army. His local militia group became Company "G" of the First Maine Infantry Regiment. This unit served for three months.
Leading the 10th Maine Infantry
After his first enlistment ended, George Beal joined the army again. This time, he became a Colonel and led the 10th Maine Infantry. His regiment was involved in many important battles in 1862.
- They fought during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign.
- They were at the Battle of Cedar Mountain.
- Beal and his regiment were praised for helping Major General Nathaniel P. Banks's army retreat safely.
- They also fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam.
- At Antietam, Colonel Beal was badly hurt. He left the army with his regiment on May 8, 1863.
Leading the 29th Maine Infantry
On December 17, 1863, Beal became the Colonel of the 29th Maine Infantry. This regiment was part of the XIX Corps.
- They took part in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
- Later, they joined Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley campaign in 1864.
Becoming a General
George Beal became a brigade commander on April 19, 1864. He still led the 29th Maine at this time. On August 22, 1864, he was given a special promotion called a brevet to Brigadier General. This means he had the rank, but not always the pay or full command of a general.
He was replaced as commander of the 29th Maine on October 4, 1864. For his brave actions at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he was promoted to a full Brigadier General on November 30, 1864. His brigade was the first to attack and break the enemy's lines, which helped turn the tide of the battle.
In 1865, he was sent to North Carolina. After the war, he received another brevet promotion, this time to Major General. He was put in charge of the eastern part of South Carolina during the Reconstruction period. He left the army in January 1866 and went back home to Maine.
After the War
After the war, George Beal became very involved in politics.
- In 1868, he was a delegate for the Republican National Convention. This is where they chose Ulysses S. Grant to run for President. Beal also served as a Presidential elector for Maine.
- In 1872, he was appointed as a Pension Agent in Portland, Maine. This job helped war veterans get their pensions (money from the government).
He was also a leader in important veteran groups:
- He served as Commander of the Department of Maine for the Grand Army of the Republic. This was a group for Union Civil War veterans.
- He also led the Maine Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
From 1880 to 1885, he was the Adjutant General for the Maine state militia. This meant he was a top military officer for the state. In 1888, he was elected State Treasurer for Maine as a Republican. He held this important financial position until 1894. George Beal passed away in 1896 from heart disease.
