John Beardsley

John Beardsley (1816-1906) was an American colonel who commanded the 9th New York Cavalry Regiment during the American Civil War and also commanded the Cavalry Brigade of the I Corps of the Army of Virginia before resigning after a series of controversies during his military career.

Biography Early life John was born on October 12, 1816, at Fairfield, New York as the son of Levi Beardsley and Nancy Nichols. Beardsley then enrolled in the United States Military Academy in 1837 before graduating in the class of 1841.

After graduation, Beardsley served in the 8th Infantry Regiment and served in the Second Seminole War before also serving in the Mexican–American War. The 9th New York had a troubled start as the 9th New York wouldn't receive any mounts until Spring 1862. The Cavalry Brigade then captured Waterloo Bridge near Warrenton, Virginia on August 25, 1862, during the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was then ordered to face his former comrade, James Longstreet's massive counterattack on August 30 and Beardsley ordered his men to form a column east of Henry House Hill to cover the retreating Army of Virginia before the 9th New York also retreated.

After the defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Beardsley and his brigade went to Washington, D.C. where they served in managing the capitals defenses during the Maryland campaign and later rejoined the Army of the Potomac.

Later years Beardsley's actual reasons for resigning were initially covered up before being fully documented as Beardsley returned to Athens to be a farmer and as a trust agent. He died on February 18, 1906, and was buried in Athens Rural Cemetery.