John C. BechtJohn C. Becht

This photo of John C. Becht is available to view and purchase at the Minnesota Historical Society web site. Click on the image to go directly to it.

Name: John C. Becht
Company: E, F&S
Mustered as Captain Company E March 19, 1862; promoted Major May 1, 1863
Birth
  • Date: about 1831
  • Place: Prussia or Wuerttemberg (Germany)
 Mustered In
  • Date: March 19, 1862
  • Rank: Captain
  • Age: 31
  • Residence prior to military service: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
  • Vocation prior to military service: Sager Beer Saloon (1860)
Death
  • Date: [unknown]
  • Place: [unknown]
  • Burial: [unknown]
 Mustered Out
  • Date: March 18, 1865
  • Rank: Major
  • Age: 34
  • Residence following military service: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
  • Vocation following military service: Liquor Merchant (1870)

John Becht Biography

     John C. Becht was born in either Prussia or Wuerttemberg (Germany) about 1831. His wife, Sarah, was 6-7 years younger, born about January 25, 1836 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a sister of Charles G. and William Schilling, who both served in Company E of the 5th Minnesota along with John Becht. Between 1853 and 1860, the Schilling family had moved to Waconia, Carver County, Minnesota. John and Sarah Becht had two children in their St. Paul household in 1860: a daughter Ida (born about 1857 in Minnesota) and a son George (born about 1858 in Minnesota) . By 1870 they had added a third child, Anna, born about 1866 in Minnesota.

    John Becht enlisted in the 5th Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was mustered as Captain of Company E on March 19, 1862. On May 1, 1863, Becht was promoted to Major, replacing Major Francis Hall, who had served as Major since August 31, 1862, and resigned April 30, 1863. Henry Stasson followed Becht as Captain of Company E.

    Major John C. Becht described the participation of the Fifth Minnesota in the Red River expedition in a report dated May 25, 1864. He called the expedition "the most severe one in which the regiment has ever been engaged." An excerpt of the report describes the Battle of Marksville, or Belle Prairie, on May 16, 1864:
The field was a splendid one for a fair and equal contest, a smooth, clear prairie, slightly descending to the south, 3 or 4 miles in extent, and surrounded by heavy timber. We were turned out before daybreak and taken into the fight without our usual coffee and hard-tack. As we marched through Marksville about sunrise we discovered the Nineteenth Army Corps already initiating operations, which it afterward devolved upon us to finish. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps were formed in column of regiments, and moved across the prairie to the right, and some distance from the Nineteenth Army Corps, the Fifth Minnesota in advance. It was a splendid sight; our whole force and every movement could be clearly and distinctly seen. On the left was the Nineteenth Army Corps, advancing in line of battle with a line of skirmishers in front, engaging and slowly forcing back those of the enemy. To the rear of the Nineteenth was the Thirteenth, also advancing in line of battle. In the rear of and following us was a long column of regiments, the numerous banners glistening in the clear morning sunlight, and seeming to wave defiance to the foe. Our movements were soon changed from that in column to that en echelon and then into line of battle, all the regiments forming on the right of brigade. The enemy in front of us held a position in the edge of the timber, and only a portion of his line could at first be seen. He very soon disclosed the positions of four excellent batteries of heavy guns, which were particularly devoted to us. In the mean time the Nineteenth Army Corps had halted, and the remainder of the work was left for General Smith's command. The fight lasted about four hours, and during the closing scene it required the extra exertions of the enemy to save his batteries from our grasp.

    Just a few weeks later, following military action at Lake Chicot, Arkansas, Major John C. Becht submitted the following report concerning the battle to Colonel Oscar Malmros, Adjutant-General of Minnesota:
    Numbers 4. Report of Major John C. Becht, Fifth Minnesota Infantry.

    HDQRS. FIFTH Regiment MINNESOTA VET. VOLS.,
    Memphis, Tenn., June 10, 1864.

    COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the Fifth Minnesota was engaged in the battle with General Marmuduke's forces near Lakeville, Ark., on the 6th instant. General Smith's detachment of the Sixteenth Army Corps landed near the foot of Lake Village on the evening of the 5th, and marched early the next morning, Colonel Hubbard's brigade in the advance. On the first appearance of the enemy our brigade was formed in line of battle, and a company from each regiment deployed forward as skirmishers. The enemy gave us a running fight for 5 or 6 miles, using two pieces of artillery against us as often as opportunities were favorable and retaining their position as long as due regard for their safety would allow. The rebels having gained the rear of our line and taken up the bridge, which afforded themselves a protection, commenced to inaugurate a warm and spirited engagement. Our line then advanced over a low, level bottom land, against a galling fire of musketry and of grape and canister from two full batteries, until we reached the bank of the bayou, which was but a fare yards wide, and had no opening levee or embankment on either side. An open timber, however, afforded the rebels a great deal of protection which was denied to us.

    Once in fair sight and shot of the enemy's battery, we soon silenced it, and after a severe and prolonged musketry firing drove him from his position, rebuilt the bridge, crossed the bayou, and thus ended the fight. The loss in our division, consisting of five regiments and 1,500 or 1,600 men, was not less than 100 killed and wounded, the Fifth Minnesota providentially suffering less than any other regiment-killed,1; severely wounded, 1; slightly wounded, 9; total, 11.

    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

    JNO. C. BECHT,
    Major, Commanding Regiment.

    In his report on the Battle of Nashville, Lieutenant Corporal William B. Gere expressed his appreciation for Becht's service: "My especial thanks are due to Major John C. Becht, who rendered me efficient aid on the field during the two days' engagement." Gere then went on to report that -- due to "physical disability and injuries received the day previous," he "turned over the command [of the 5th Minnesota Regiment] to Major Becht." Lucius F. Hubbard, Colonel Fifth Minnesota Veteran Infantry, Commanding [Second] Brigade also acknowledged Becht by name following the Battle of Nashville, describing him and others as "prompt and efficient in the discharge of their respective duties."

    Becht served as Major until he was mustered out on March 18, 1865. He was followed by Major John P. Houston (from Company K) May 10, 1865.



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