Martin Beem

First Lieutenant Martin Beem died from the effects of a pistol shot at Stanton, Nebraska, on the 1st of May, 1888.

Lieutenant Beem was born near Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 14th of November, 1845, but soon afterwards his parents removed to Alton, Ill., where he received the benefits of a common school education.

He entered the service as a private in the 13th Missouri Infantry — afterwards designated the 22nd Ohio, commanded by our late comrade, Colonel Crafts J. Wright, — and with this regiment participated in the campaign against Fort Donaldson [sic] and the battle of Shiloh, in which latter engagement he earned his Second Lieutenant's commission, dated May 8th, 1862, and three months later was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and as such served in the approach to and battle of Corinth, but resigned, or was honorably discharged the service immediately thereafter, October 21st, 1862.

He subsequently visited the West Indies, Central America, Mexico and Montana, but with what purpose or object we are not advised. He then accepted a position in Washington City as correspondent and reporter, and while thus engaged studied law. During the Presidential campaign of 1868, he stumped the State of Arkansas for the Republican party. In 1869, he entered the Union College of Law at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1870, and soon thereafter entered upon the active practice of his profession.

In 1880, he was married to Miss Lula S. Case, of Neenah, Wis. He was the first President of the Chicago Union Veteran Club, a Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

He was of a peculiarly nervous temperament, and so eccentric as to defy any correct insight into his personal characteristics, business relations, or family affairs. We can only leave his faults, such as they may have been, and his sorrows and troubles, such as they were, in the hands of Him from whom no secrets are ever hid.

SOURCE: Report Of The Proceedings Of The Society Of The Army Of The Tennessee, At Toledo, Ohio September 5th and 6th, 1888, p. 179

Battle of Pittsburg Landing - Report of Brig. Gen. Tuttle

Headquarters 1st Brigade 2d Div.,
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 10, 1862

BRIG. GEN. J. McARTHUR, COMMANDING 2D DIV. – General: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 1st Brigade in the action of the 6th and 7th, as well as such other regiments and corps as were under my command during the engagement.

On the morning of the 6th I preceded with my Brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 7th, 12th and 14th Iowa Infantry, under the direction of Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, and formed line on left of His Division. We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made their appearance and attacked my left wing, (12th and 14th Iowa) who gallantly stood their ground and compelled the assailants to retire in confusion. They again formed under cover of a battery and renewed the attack upon my whole line, but were repulsed as before. A third and fourth time they dashed upon us, but were each time baffled and completely routed. We held our position about six hours, when it became evident that our forces on each side of us had given way so as to give the enemy an opportunity of turning both our flanks. At this critical juncture Gen. Wallace gave orders for my whole Brigade to fall back, which was done in good order. The 2nd and 7th retired through a severe fire from both flanks and re-formed, while the 12th and 14th, who were delayed by their endeavors to save a battery which had been placed in their rear were completely surrounded and cut off, and compelled to surrender. In passing through the cross fire Gen. Wallace fell mortally wounded, and as you was reported wounded, and Capt. McMichael informing me that I was the ranking officer, I assumed command of the Division and rallied what was left of my Brigade, and was joined by the 13th Iowa, Col. Crocker, 9th Ill., Col. Mersy, 12th Ill., Capt. Stephenson, and several other fragments of regiments, and formed in line on the road, and held the enemy in check until the line was formed which resisted the last charge, just before dark of that day.

On Monday morning I collected all the Division that could be found, and such other detached regiments as volunteered to join me, and formed them in column of battalion, closed in mass, as a reserve for Gen. Buel [sic], and followed up his attack until we arrived near the position we had occupied on Sunday, where I deployed into line in rear of his forces, and held my command subject to his order. The 2d Iowa and 12th Ill. Were called on at one time. The 2d was sent to Gen. Nelson’s Division and was ordered to charge bayonet across a field on the enemy, who were in the woods beyond, which they did in the most gallant manner, the enemy giving way before they reached them. The 7th Iowa under orders from Gen. Crittenden charged and captured one of the enemy’s batteries, while the 13th Iowa rendered Gen. McCook valuable service near the close of the engagement.

On Tuesday, the 8th, when our forces were again called to arms, I called out the 2d Division, and all obeyed the call with alacrity except Col. Crafts J. Wright of the 13th Mo., who refused to obey orders and did not make his appearance during the day. The Division remained on the field all day and were ordered to return to camp after dark. The officers and men under my command behaved nobly and gallantly during the whole time, with the exception above named. The officers deserving special mention in this report are so numerous that I will confine myself to field officers alone. Lt. Col. Baker of the 2d Iowa, Lt. Col Parrott and Maj. Rice of the 7th Iowa, Col. Woods of 12th Iowa, Col. Shaw and Lt. Col. Lucas of the 14rh Iowa, particularly distinguished themselves for bravery and ability on the field. Col Crocker of the 13th Iowa, although not under my command originally, was attached to it on Sunday evening and remained with my Division until Monday evening. He proved himself to have all the qualities of a good and efficient officer, and was prompt to duty when the enemy was to be met. Col. Mersy, 9th Ill., also proved himself a brave and efficient officer. Col. Morton commanding 2d Brigade, and Col. Baldwin 3d Brigade, on the last day turned out their Brigades promptly and marched in column in the outposts. Col. Wood of the 12th Iowa was twice wounded, and when the enemy was driven back on Monday he was recaptured and is her unfit for duty. Appended I send you a list of the casualties of the Brigade only, as others will report directly to you.

Very Respectfully,
Your obt. Servt.

J. M. TUTTLE
Col. Commanding 1st Brigade 2d Div.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, April 22, 1862

NOTE: The casualty lists are lengthy and will appear in separate blog posts:
· Killed Wounded and Missing of the 2d Iowa Infantry