BEAL, William James, botanist, b. in Adrian, Mich., 11 March, 1833. He was graduated at the University of Michigan in 1859, and at Lawrence scientific school in 1865 with the degree of B. S. From 1860 till 1863 he taught in the Friends' academy and in the Howland school in Union Springs. During 1869-'70 he was professor of natural sciences in Chicago university, and in 1870 he became professor of botany in the State agricultural college of Michigan and lectured on forestry and horticulture. Prof. Beal is a member of numerous societies, and was vice-president of the section on biology of the American association for the advancement of science in 1883; he was also president of the Michigan state teachers' association in 1881, and of the Society for the promotion of agricultural science in 1880 and 1881. He has contributed numerous original papers to the “American Naturalist,” “American Journal of Sciences,” and to the reports of the State board of agriculture, State horticultural society, and American pomological society. He is the author of “The New Botany” (Philadelphia, 1881), and “The Grasses of North America” (Lansing, 1886 et seq.).
BEALE, Edward Fitzgerald, soldier, b. in
Washington, D. C, 4 Feb., 1822; d. there, 22 April,
1893. His father and grandfather were in the U. S. navy, and received medals of honor from congress. His education was begun in Georgetown
college, where he remained until he was appointed
a cadet at the U. S. naval academy, and was
graduated in 1843. During the war with Mexico
he distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry, and was presented with a sword by his brother officers, in recognition of his services as a bearer
of despatches through the enemy's lines. For the
same act he was officially complimented by Com. Stockton. At the conclusion of the war with Mexico he resigned his commission and was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs for California and New Mexico. At the request of Maj.-Gen. Wool, he was commissioned brigadier-general
and deputed to terminate an Indian war in California. During the decade preceding the civil war he conducted many important explorations in
the far west, and in 1861 was appointed surveyor-general of California by President Lincoln, but offered his services in a military capacity as soon as
the war of secession began. In 1876 he was appointed U. S. minister to Austria by President Grant. In 1877 he resigned, and afterward chiefly
personally superintended his large sheep and cattle ranch in southern California.
BEALE, Richard Lee Tarberville, soldier, b.
in Hickory Hill, Va., 22 May, 1819 ; d. in Hague,
Va., 18 April, 1893. He was educated at Dickinson college, was graduated at the law school of the
university of Virginia, and admitted to the bar in
1839. He served in congress as a democrat from
6 Dec, 1847, till March, 1849, but declined a re-election. He was a delegate to the state reform convention of 1850, and in 1857 a member of the state senate. At the beginning of the civil war he entered the confederate army, and in 1863 was colonel of the 9th Virginia cavalry. In February, 1865, Gen. Beale commanded a brigade in Lee's cavalry division. Army of northern Virginia.
BEALL, Benjamin Lloyd, soldier, b. in the
District of Columbia, about 1800 ; d. in Baltimore, Md., 16 Aug., 1863. He was a son of Maj. Beall of Maryland, and appointed a cadet at West Point
in 1814, but did not graduate. He was made captain of the Washington city volunteers in June, 1836, in a regiment raised for the Florida Indian
war; captain of 2d U. S. dragoons 8 June, 1836; brevetted major 15 March, 1837, for gallantry in the Florida campaign; and appointed major
1st U. S. dragoons 16 Feb., 1847. He took part in the Mexican war, and on 16 March, 1848, was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for bravery at the
battle of Santa Cruz de Royales. He became lieutenant-colonel of the 1st U. S. dragoons 3 March, 1855, and served for several years on the western
frontier. He was in command as general in California after its annexation to the United States, and while so serving built all the forts from the
western frontier of Texas to the Pacific. He also served for two years at Vancouver's island. When the civil war began he was ordered to Baltimore as a mustering officer, w-as commissioned colonel 1st U. S. dragoons in May, 1861, and was placed on the retired list 15 Feb., 1862, because of his long and arduous service. He had two sons in the national army and one in the confederate.
BEALL, John Young, guerilla, b. in Virginia,
1 Jan., 1835 ; d. on Governor's island. New York harbor, 24 Feb., 1865. He was of good family and received a classical education. Joining the navy
of the confederate states, he was appointed acting master, 3 March, 1863. On 16 Dec, 1864, he was arrested in the railroad station at Suspension
Bridge, N. Y. Charges and specifications were drawn up, reciting in substance that he was acting in the twofold capacity of a spy and guerilla,
carrying on irregular warfare against the United States. A military commission, with Brig.-Gen. Fitz Henry Warren as president and Maj. John A. Bolles as judge-advocate, was convened at Fort Lafayette for his trial. James T. Brady acted as counsel for the accused. It appeared from the testimony that Beall, in company with other men in the dress of civilians, boarded the Lake Erie steamer "Philo Parsons" on 19 Sept., 1864, in the
character of passengers; that at a signal they produced arms, and, acting under the orders of the accused and others, they seized the boat, driving
all hands below as prisoners. They then captured and subsequently sank another boat, the "Island Queen." It also appeared that Beall was engaged
with others in an attempt to wreck a railway train near Buffalo on the night of his arrest. The defence was based on the declaration of the accused that he was engaged in legitimate warfare
under specific instructions from the confederate
government, and he was permitted to correspond
with the authorities at Richmond to procure evidence to this effect. A proclamation was issued
by Jefferson Davis under date of 24 Dec, 1864, certifying that the confederate government assumed "the responsibility of answering for the acts and conduct of any of its officers engaged in said expedition," namely, that in which Beall was concerned. It was proved that he had perpetrated
acts of war within the jurisdiction of the United States, wearing at the time no visible badge of military service. Among civilized nations the penalty for such acts is death, and Beall was hanged in accordance with the finding of the court.
BEALL, Reazin, soldier, b. in Pennsylvania
10 Aug., 1770; d. in Wooster, Ohio, 20 Feb., 1843. He was appointed ensign in the U.S. army 7 March, 1792, and battalion-adjutant and quartermaster
in 1793, and was an officer under Gen.
Anthony Wayne
in his campaign against the Indians. In September, 1812, he was made brigadier-general of Ohio volunteers. He also filled many important
civil offices, and from 1813 till 1815 was representative from Ohio in congress.
BEALL, Samuel Wootton, lawyer, b. in Montgomery, Md., 26 Sept., 1807 ; d. in Helena, Monta-
