George Lafayette Beal (1825 - 1896)

Born 21 May 1825 in Norway, Oxford, Maine, United States

Husband of Belinda Deane (Thompson) Beal — married 8 Jun 1851 in Oxford, Maine, United States

Died 11 Dec 1896 at age 71 in Norway, Oxford, Maine, United States

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Biography

George Beal is Notable.

George Lafayette Beal was an Amercian soldier and politician. Beal was a Brevet Major General in the Union Army during the Civil War. Beal served as Treasurer of the State of Maine.

George Beal was born on May 21, 1825, in Norway, Oxford, Maine, United States. He was the son of Ezra F. Beal and Mary Ann (Bennett) Beal. ^[1] Beal came from an influential family; his father was one of the founders of Norway, Maine. Beal attended Westbrook Seminary. Beal had an interest in the military. He was Captain of the local militia, the Norway Light Infantry. ^[2]

On June 8, 1851, George L. Beal married Belinda D. Thompson in Rumford, Maine. ^[3] They had 2 daughters: Elizabeth and Agnes.

Military Service

• Civil War

On April 20, 1861, Beal offered his company for service; they became Company G of the 1st Regiment, Maine Infantry. They served for a term or 3 months. After that term expired, Beal was commissioned Colonel in command of the 10th Regiment, Maine Infantry. ^[4][2]

Colonel Beal saw combat that the Second Battle of Bull Run and at the Battle of Antietam he was severely wounded. ^[5][2]

After his term of service with the 10th Regiment expired, Beal was commissioned Colonel in command of the 29th Maine Infantry. Colonel Beal led his regiment in the Red River Campaign, In 1864, during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Colonel Beal led a brigade. ^[2] Colonel Beal served at the Third Battle of Winchester and the Battle of Fisher's Hill. <rer name="CWT"/> For his gallant action at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Beal was promoted to Brigadier General. ^[2] In 1864, Colonel Beal caught a cold that led to the loss of hearing in his left ear. ^[4]

During the reconstruction era shortly after the War, General Beal was brevetted Major General and assigned command of the eastern district of South Carolina. ^[2][5]

General Beal mustered out of service on January 15th, 1866. ^[4]

Postbellum

In 1872, Beal served as Pension Agent the the State of Maine. Beal was the first Maine Department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). ^[5][2] Beal served as Commander of Maine Commandery of Military Order of Loyal Legion​. ^[4]