User:Asiaticus/Benjamin Lloyd Beall

Benjamin Lloyd Beall, (1801–1863), U. S. Army officer, who served in the U.S. Cavalry, in the antibellum Indian Wars, Mexican American War, and American Civil War.

Benjamin Lloyd Beall, was born in 1801 in Washington, D.C., the son of Lloyd Beall a career artillery officer in the United States Army. Benjamin Beall was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point on January 1, 1814, but on October 15, 1818, he left without graduating.

Beall was elected captain of the Washington City Volunteers for service in the Seminole War on June 1, 1836, and entered the army from civil life on the June 8, 1836, as Captain in the Second Dragoons.

Shortly afterward the U.S. 2nd Dragoon Regiment, was formed to fight the Seminole Indians, with Company I, under Captain Benjamin L. Beall, who entered the army from civil life on on June 8, 1836.

Associated with its first Colonel Twiggs were some subordinate officers who also did much to encourage this spirit in the regiment. Among these none were more prominent than Captain Beall, familiarly known to the army as "Old Ben Beall," of whom at the close of the Florida War General Worth officially reported that he "has met the enemy in this contest, oftener, perhaps, than any other officer "is brave and generous." The foe overcome, the tedious trail retraced, horses and men cared for, and where was the man who made social history more racy or gave entertainment more varied than "Old Ben"?

Captain Beall was brevetted major on March 15, 1837, "for gallantry and successful service" against the Florida Indians. At the close of the Florida War General Worth officially reported that Beall "has met the enemy in this contest, oftener, perhaps, than any other officer". In Baton Rouge, La., on Thursday evening, 17th Nov., Lieut. T.H. Porter, U.S. Infantry, (son of the renowned Commodore Porter), to Miss Elizabeth L. Beall, daughter of the gallant Captain Benjamin L. Beall, U.S. Dragoons, stationed at Fort Washita, Red River. In April 1846 Beall was stationed in San Antonio, where he was ordered to escort German immigrants to Fredericksburg and the Pedernales. He was promoted from Captain of the 2nd Dragoons on February 16, 1847, Beall then served as Major of the U.S. U.S. 1st Dragoon Regiment. On March 16, 1848, received a second brevet, to lieutenant colonel, for his part in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales.

After the Mexican War Beall was stationed in New Mexico Territory until February 1848, in command of the district of New Mexico. He made one or two trips into the field with Kit Carson as his guide, in ineffectual pursuits of marauding Apaches. In February 1848, he took the First Dragoons to El Paso and established Fort Bliss, remaining at the new post for only a few months and was not responsible for any of its construction.

Beall served for several years on the western frontier. He was promoted Lt. Colonel of the First Dragoons Regiment on March 3, 1855. The Department of California was commanded by Lt. Colonel Benjamin L. Beall, who had assumed command, by seniority of rank, on the death of General Newman S. Clarke, on October 17, 1860. At the begining of the Civil War, Colonel Fauntleroy resigned as Colonel of the First Dragoons Regiment on May 13, 1861, and was succeeded by Beall, who was promoted to colonel on May 3, 1861. On August 3, 1861 the designation of the First Dragoons Regiment was changed to "First Regiment of Cavalry". From September 13, 1861 - October 23, 1861 Colonel Benjamin L. Beall, commanded the District of Oregon, replacing George Wright as its commander.

During November and December 1861, the First Regiment of Cavalry, except Companies D and G which were still stationed in New Mexico Territory, was transferred by steamship from the Pacific Coast through Panama and then to Washington, D.C., arriving by the end of January 1862. Colonel Beall was retired February 1, 1862, and was succeeded by Colonel George A. H. Blake, as commander of the Regiment. Colonel Beall retired from active duty on February 15, 1862, and died in Maryland on August 16, 1863.