More on Addison Bean

The “Our Back Pages” column in the Oct. 18 Bethel Citizen included the item – “100 years ago: Death Addison S. Bean.” As this is the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War along with the recent Veterans' Day, it is appropriate to provide some background on Addison S. Bean.

He was born in Newry. His father was a widower with six small sons, so at the age of four Addison went to live with the family of Ashley Paine in Mason.

In the summer of 1861 the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1st U.S. Chasseurs) was recruiting in New England and Addison enlisted. In August the Regiment left New York for the defense of Washington, D.C. While there, Addison and his regiment participated in reviews by President Lincoln. After leaving Washington the 65th New York Regiment was at almost every major battle fought by the Army of the Potomac. Addison was with the Regiment through the Peninsular Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and General Grant’s Overland Campaign. He also had guard duty at the prisoner of war camp on Johnson’s Island near Sandusky, Ohio.

Addison was mustered out of the 65th New York Regiment in September 1864 and he re-enlisted in the U.S. Veteran Volunteers where he served until February 1866. He then returned to Mason, bought a farm, and got married. His letters home to his adopted family are in the Bean Letters Collection at the Bethel Historical Society.

Barry York

Burnt Hills, NY (518-399-5524 if questions)