August Van Beeck

Name: August Van Beeck Company: D Corporal; promoted Sergeant
Birth Date: about 1825 Place: Prussia	Mustered In Date: October 31, 1862 Rank: Corporal Age: 37 Residence prior to military service: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
Death Date: August 3, 1872 Place: (St. Paul?) Minnesota	Mustered Out Date: March 16, 1865 Rank: Sergeant Age: about 39

August Van Beeck Biography and Civil War Narrative

August Van Beeck was born about 1825 in Prussia. Before his service in the Civil War, he lived in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. On October 31, 1862, he enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was made a Corporal. He most likely joined up with Company D at Fort Abercrombie or when they passed by St. Paul on their way south to the Civil War. Company D rejoined the rest of the 5th Minnesota Regiment at Germantown, Tennessee, on February 14, 1863. In 1863 Van Beeck and the 5th Minnesota participated in the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi (May 18 - July 4).

In 1864 the 5th Minnesota participated in the Red River Campaign (March 10 - May 22), Smith's Expedition to Tupelo (July 5-21), Mower's expedition to Brownsville, Arkansas (September 2-10), a pursuit of Confederate General Price across the state of Missouri (September 17-November 15), and the Battle of Nashville (December 15-16).

The 5th Minnesota also took part in the Campaign against Mobile, Alabama, and its Defenses under General Canby from March 7 to April 12, 1865. At some point Corporal Van Beeck was promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Van Beeck was mustered out of the regiment on March 16, 1865. During his military service in the Civil War, he kept a diary of his experiences written in German.

August Van Beeck died on August 3, 1872, probably in Minnesota. His widow, Elizabeth, married a Mr. Swaninger. Elizabeth Swaninger maintained possession of August's diary.

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This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Page created on 5/4/09. Last modified on 5/4/09.