Beatrice in Gage County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Beatrice's Own - Civil War and the Spanish-American War
We Answered the Call
— 1861 - Today —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 30, 2011
1. Beatrice's Own - Civil War and the Spanish-American War Marker
April 12, 1861: Fort Sumter, South Carolina was fired on by Rebel forces. On the 18th of May, Nebraska Territory Governor Alvin Saunders issued a proclamation calling for volunteers to either answer the call from President Lincoln for service in the United States Army or to protect the citizens of the state from Indians.
During June 1861, Beatrice residents, Frederick Elwood, 23 and Jonathan Potts, 27 and other Gage County volunteers went to Nebraska City and joined the First Regiment Nebraska Infantry. They saw action at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Cornith.
They [1st Nebraska] met the storm, no man flinching and their fire was terrible...
General Lew Wallace,
report on action at
Fort Donelson, February, 1862.
In the spring of 1898, Spain and the United States declared war. Nebraskans mobilized en masse at President McKinley's call for volunteers.
In the Philippines, First Nebraska Company C from Beatrice took part in the assault on Manila, August 1898. After Spain surrendered, the First Nebraska remained in the Philippines to quell uprising by Filipino insurgents unhappy with American occupation.
this page online
The First Nebraska suffered 232 casualties, more than any other regiment in the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection. Eleven citations for gallantry in action and two Certificates of Merit were awarded.
[Captions to select photos]
1. Two First Nebraska soldiers, 1864
2. Civil War Veterans gather in Beatrice for their 40th Reunion in 1912.
3. The First Nebraska advances on Manila, August 13, 1898.
4. Nebraska Volunteers embarking for home, June 23, 1899 Pasig Manila
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 40° 15.275′ N, 96° 44.819′ W. Marker is in Beatrice, Nebraska, in Gage County. Marker is along the walking path in Beatrice Veterans Memorial Park, at South 6th Street (US Hwy 77) and Veterans Memorial Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1050 South 6th Street, Beatrice NE 68310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Freedom Fighters (here, next to this marker); Containing Communism - The Berlin and Cuban Crises and Vietnam
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 30, 2011
2. Beatrice's Own - Civil War and the Spanish-American War Marker
Also see . . .
1. Nebraska in the Civil War. (Submitted on October 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. (Submitted on October 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Unknown, 1864
3. Photo 1 on Civil War and Spanish-American War Marker
Courtesy of Nebraska State Historical Society
Photographed By Unknown, 1912
4. Photo 2 on Civil War and Spanish-American War Marker
Courtesy of Mrs. Bill (Betty) Sorenson
Photographed By Unknown, August 131898
5. Photo 3 on Civil War and Spanish-American War Marker
Courtesy of Nebraska State Historical Society
Photographed By Unknown, June 23, 1899
6. Beatrice's Own - Civil War and the Spanish-American War Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,025 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 13, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
