THE BROTHERS BEE There were two boys in the Bee family in Charleston, South Carolina. The oldest had been named Hamilton when he was born July 22, 1822. Then in 1824 his brother Hamilton Elliott, was born as a February person - February 8th. The Bee brothers as they were known, were very much alike in some ways yet each had a distinct personality all is own - strong, stern, and capable.
It would be unusual if you know anything much of either of them. The younger one, Bernard, had a claim to fame because he said something about a co-worker of his and most bios simply say: "brother of Barnard".
Barnard graduated from West Point in 1845 and went off to the Mexican War with the 10th Infantry. In 1861 he resigned his commission to join the Confederate 1st South Carolina as a Lt. Col. in artillery. In June of the same year he became a Brig. Gen. and commanded 3rd Army of the Shenandoah st First Man n as. He was a one of the dead of that battle July 22, 1861, ending his short career.
Hamilton Bee's military career was longer. He drew on his Mexican War experiences in the Federal army to become a Brig.Gen. in the Confederate forces. He was stationed at Brownsville, Texas where his duties were largely administrative.
He did command a cavalry brigade in Red River Campaign and other actions. When the Civil War ended Hamilton Bee did what so many defeated Confederate officers seemed to think was the smart thing to do; he moved to Mexico to live. That did not last very long. He came back to Texas and a busy life in local politics -even then called "public service."
That was Barnard Bee's brother - Ham.
It was Barnard Bee who, overlooking the battle a First Manassas, gave a friend and fellow soldier a new an abiding name by saying" "And there stood Jackson like a stone wall!"
A.L.M . January 15, 2006 [c341wds]
