Wilson Beers
Information from Pension and Military Records:
Born: July 25, 1833 (1837 according to military records
Died: August 11, 1902 in Ashland, Pa
Buried: Has a government and family stone in Maple Hill Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre. However, he also has a government stone in Hollenback Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre. Most likely he is buried with his family at Maple Hill.
Occupation: Laborer
Marital Status: Married
Wife: Hattie b. 5/28/48 d. 2/4/98
Children: Annie Soden b. 3/2/1869 - d. 6/30/1950; Stanley S. b. 9/12/70 - d. 10/29/1871; Estella Shannon b. 8/9/1874 - d. 3/11/1907
Residence: Ashley, Pa
Height: ?
Weight: ?
Hair: ?
Eyes: ?
Complexion: ?
Service: Enlisted September 24, 1861 at Eckley, Pa at age 24.
Discharged: November 5, 1864 at Philidelphia, Pa due to expiration of term of service.
Rank: Private
Pension: # 146.553 Disability from rupture
Photo credit: Jon Wilson Collection at USAMHI, Carlisle, Pa
Other: Wilson also served in Co. I, 6th PA Inf which was a three-month regiment organized prior to the 81st. At the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, the 81st was positioned near the center of the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge. They were then ordered, at the double-quick, to support the Union efforts in the growing battle on the Union left. While on route to the battle now know as the Wheatfield, Wilson suffered a ruptured hernia, but he continued on to the fighting with his comrades. Shortly after arriving at the battle he was shot through the neck. He was dragged from the field by William Richards and ended up at McClellan Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa where, after recovering, served as a hospital steward for the remainder of his enlistment.
Affidavit given by Wilson Beers on July 22, 1873 on application for pension:
He was wounded in action by gunshot in right side and back of neck for which he was treated in McClellan Hospital in Philadephia, and he was ruptured at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, for which he was treated in McClellan Hospital in Philadephia and in General Hospital at Nicetown, Pa. and that he has not entered the military or Services of the United States since Nov. 5, 1864.
Affidavit given by John W. Pryor on December 29, 1874 on behalf of Wilson Beers:
Personally apppeared before me Lewis Keugle, a Justice of the Peace for said County - John W. Pryor a person to me known to be entitled to credit and on oath declared he was Captain of Company D 81st Reg. Pa. Inf. Vols., that on the 2nd day of July A.D. 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg Pa. he was in command of Co. K 81st Reg. Pa. Inf. Vols. that Co. K being consolidated for the time with being with my Company D. that he knows personally Wilson Beers who was a Private in Co K 81st Reg. Pa. Vols. that at the battle of Gettyburg on the 2nd day of July A.D. 1863 the said Wilson Beers while in the service of the U.S. and in the line of duty in battle was wounded by a gun shot ball in the neck the ball struck him just back of the right ear in the neck passed through the chords of the neck and came out on back of the neck near the left ear. that deponents' knowledge of these facts arises from his being in the battle and presen when Wilson Beers received the wound. that he has no interest whatever in the claim for pension.
signed
John W. Pryor
Late Capt. Co. D, 81 Pa. Vol.
A letter sent from James Carrol to Wilson Beers:
Powell, Pa
June 4, 1894
Friend and Comrade
I received a letter from you. Was sorry to hear of your trobels, coming a bout decoration day and I have a mashed finger. I have neglected to answer I was very sorry to know that old Hoke had found you. You asked me to tell you what I knew a bout your circumstance. I knew you from the time we left Camp California in 62 have stood beside you in many a hard fought battle. I have marched with you many a hard days march. I saw you at Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg and when we started to dubble quick for the wheatfield with one hand holding your cartridge box up claiming you were in much distress and you afterwards told me you were ruptured. I saw you when but a few feet from you falling to the ground dead as I supposed with a ball through the neck. And saw that brave little Welchman Billy Richards bending over you and bearing you of the field. Comrad Beers if I can be of any benefit to you in any way I should be happy to do it. If your aturney is in the place and will take this letter and out line the afadavid and send it to me for it makes a big difference how it is described. And if there is any thing more you think I ought to remember, promt my memory it is been a good many years since we have been to gether but we ought to know all a bout each other as we locked elbows through the war. I remain respectfully your freind, Comrad James Carrol, Powell, Bradford Co., Pa.
