Brigadier General Richard L. T. Beale was born at Hickory Hill,
Westmoreland County, Va., May 22, 1819, and was educated at
Northumberland academy and Dickinson college, Pa. Then taking up the
study of law, he was graduated by the law department of the university of
Virginia in 1838. Subsequently he was engaged in the practice of his
profession and attained prominence in the political field. From 1847 to
1849 he represented his district in Congress, to which he declined
reelection. He was a delegate to the State reform convention in 1850, and
was elected to the State senate in 1857. Upon the secession of Virginia he
enlisted in the cavalry service, and being promoted to captain and then
major, was put in command at Camp Lee, near Hague, on the lower
Potomac, where his intelligence and excellent judgment were of much
value. Subsequently he served under Col. W. H. F. Lee, in the Ninth cavalry
regiment until Lee was promoted brigadier general, when he was advanced
to the rank of colonel and given command of the regiment. In December,
1862, he attracted attention and much favorable comment by a bold
expedition into Rappahannock county, in which the Federal garrison at
Leeds was captured, without loss. On April 16, 1863, he won the praise
of J. E. B. Stuart for his heroic service in meeting and repelling the
threatened raid of Stoneman's cavalry division, and during the renewed
movement by Stoneman at the close of the month, he was for a week in
almost constant fighting, his regiment everywhere behaving valorously and
capturing many prisoners. At the battle of Fleetwood he led the Ninth in
the brilliant charge in which Gen. W. H. F. Lee was wounded and Colonel
Williams killed. He participated in Stuart's raid through Maryland, fought at
Gettysburg, and rendered faithful service in the cavalry affairs during the
return to Virginia. During the fight at Culpeper Court House he was in
command of W. H. F. Lee's brigade. In March, 1864, having been stationed
on the Northern Neck, he made a forced march to intercept Dahlgren and
his raiders, and a detachment of his regiment under First Lieutenant James
Pollard, Company H, successfully ambushed the Federals, and aided by
other detachments captured about 175 men and killed Dahlgren. The
papers found upon Dahlgren's person, revealing a design to burn Richmond
and kill President Davis and cabinet, were forwarded through Fitz Lee, to
the government. A correspondence with the Federal authorities followed,
in which they disavowed all knowledge of such a design. He participated
in command of his regiment in the campaign from the Rapidan to the
James, was distinguished in the fighting at Stony Creek, and toward
Reams' Station, in July, capturing two Federal standards; and in August,
upon the death of General Chambliss, was given command of the brigade.
February 6, 1865, he was promoted brigadier general, and in this rank he
served during the remainder of the struggle.
Source: Evans, Clement, Confederate Military History, Volume
III, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA, 1899.
