Robert Burns Beath
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Union
Robert Burns Beath | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 25, 1839 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 25, 1914 (aged 75) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Company G, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry (3-month regiment) Company D, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry Company A, 8th United States Colored Infantry F&S, 8th United States Colored Infantry |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | 12th Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic |
Robert Burns Beath (January 25, 1839 – November 25, 1914) was an American soldier who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and as the 12th Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1883–1884.
Beath was born January 25, 1839, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to David and Rabena (Wilson) Beath.
He first enlisted April 21, 1861, as a corporal in Company G, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry (a 3-month regiment) and mustered out July 31, 1861, at Philadelphia. He reenlisted September 5, 1861, as a sergeant in Company D, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry and was promoted June 1, 1862, to 1st sergeant and promoted December 1, 1862, to 2nd lieutenant. Beath was wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was subsequently promoted to captain on August 29, 1863, and mustered out on the same day to accept a transfer to command Company A, 8th United States Colored Infantry. He was seriously wounded in action at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. On June 1, 1865, Beath was promoted to lieutenant colonel and mustered out of the service on September 20, 1865.
