BEAMER, Reuben - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Attica lays claim to the youngest soldier who enlisted in the war of the rebellion now living. It is perhaps not generally known by our citizens that Reuben Beamer, city marshall, is that interesting personality. When Mr. Beamer entered the war and shouldered his musket he was aged 13 years, 10 months. The officers refused to swear him in, but that made no difference to Reub.  He stepped into the ranks of the 126th Indiana, touched elbows with the best of 'em. He served with his regiment until the close of the war, making a splendid record. His services was recognized and he was sworn in, paid and discharged the same day. He

receive not a cent until the end of the war, but says he got along as well as those who received regular pay. One one soldier of the great hosts was younger than he at the beginning of his service. This man a member of a NY regiment, is now dead, leaving Reub the youngest living Union soldier. There are others who claim this merit, but when their records are looked up it is found that they acted as drummers, musicians, messenger, cooks. Reub carried a gun and it was almost as big as he was.    --- kbz