Charles Beekman

Born in Schoharie, New York, April 2, 1846; enlisted in Company B, 15th Iowa regiment, Oct. 11, 1861; died of typhoid fever, in hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, Dec. 23, 1861, aged fifteen years, eight months and twenty-one days. "He was a promising young soldier," says Captain Cross, "and while sick bore his afflictions with remarkable fortitude."

"Was a good and faithful man," says Captain Studer, "entered upon his duties with zeal; tried to learn and do whatever was required of him. Being of tender years, he died after a very brief term of service."

When his mother heard of his illness, she went immediately to Keokuk and watched by his bedside continually for three weeks, when he died. As soon as she saw that he could not get well, she said to him, — "Charles, if you should never recover, do you feel reconciled to go?" He replied, — "Mother, I do."

Charles was fond of a gun. As soon as the war began, his whole mind was taken up with the thought of being a soldier. His gun had been his delight since he was thirteen, though it was a severe shock to him when his friend and companion, Fenimore Cooper¹, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, while standing right by Charles's side. This, however, did not eradicate from his mind his attachment to his gun and love of hunting, which is said to be miniature war.

"Mother," said Charles, one day, "may I go to war?" She replied, — "Charles, do you really want to go?"

"Nothing," said he, "would please me better; it is my whole thought." "Do you," said she, "think that you could be of any service to your country?" "Yes," he replied, "I know I can." "I did not know that they would accept such young boys," said she. "They will take me, mother," Charles answered. He had been to see the recruiting officers, and received their promise that they would accept of him, if he could gain his parents' consent.

"If you are determined," said he to his parents one day, "that I shall not go, I will give it up; but here are other boys of my age enlisting, and I know that I am as strong and able for duty as they are, and can do as much good in the army."

"He had been studying about it so long," says Mrs. Beekman, "and talked so manly, that pride for my son led me to give my consent." After he had been at Keokuk a few weeks, he was sent back to Des Moines by his officers to bring on some recruits. He knocked at his mother's door and came in, dressed in the uniform of the Union soldier; his proud and manly bearing led her to feel glad that she had let him go. He returned to camp with a glad heart.

He had always been very healthful. His sickness took a deep hold on him from the beginning, and baffled the skill of the physician, who manifested very great interest in him. The officers of his company felt great anxiety for his recovery, for he was much attached to them, especially to Captain Smith; and the Captain visited him often in his sickness, which comforted Charles greatly. He was a good boy; kind to his parents; dearly loved his mother; affectionate to his brother and sisters; generous to all. At school he made rapid progress in his studies.

¹Son of Mr. Isaac Cooper, an early resident of Polk County [Iowa].

SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of Common Men, p. 213-4