BEENE, J.K. PVT
G 3 CONFED CAV
03/19/1864
Joseph Kirk Beene was born 1845 in Marion County, Tennessee son of Rev. Samuel Beene and wife Mary Kirk Beene.
Joseph Kirk Beene was named after his mother's brother, Joseph Kirk, For more on the Kirk's see Joseph's grandfather(Samuel H. Kirk #136928596 Jackson County, Alabama)
Joseph died in Rock Island Prison in Illinois March 19, 1864 during the Civil War.

Martha Margaret Beene Walker in her book, "Reminiscences and Meandering Thoughts" writes about her brother, Joseph Kirk Beene:
"Joseph K., was captured and taken to Rock Island, Ill., and put in prison. There he contracted pneumonia - was carried to the hospital where he remained until he could be up again, then took relapse and was carried to another ward. This was the last we ever heard of him. We never entertain the least ray of hope that his body was ever enveloped in a draped casket. Neither had we any way of knowing that it was even laid beneath the mouldering sod. For years and years after the war had ended my mother maintained a spark of hope that her boy might sometime appear in her presence, but she at last had to become reconciled to a blighted hope. So far as I knew, my mother, from that time through life, carried an unpleasant feeling for Joe's lieutenant - for she always thought had it not been for him, Joe might have not had to go back to his company, as he had become a cripple since he had enlisted in the army. Just three days after enlistment, had he been gone from home when he was brought back with a ball of lead in his foot that had escaped from his own war weapon. He had remained at home six months, or more, when his lieutenant came to him and says, "You must go to your place". Joe tried to argue the case with him, that he wasn't able for service. But he told Joe he had to go or he would be put in the infantry. So he came to mother and related the story to her and says, "You know I can't stand it in the infantry". That was the last we ever saw of him. Often after my mother had passed through those heart-rending scenes, have I heard her relate this little story. One day, while her boys still clustered around the old hearthstone, father called to her from the front door, to which call she promptly responded. He says, "I want you to see a sight you will never have the pleasure of seeing again". The seven boys were all congregated in the front yard. The older ones were engaged in a game of marbles, while the smaller ones were enjoying the pleasure of the game. Of a truth that was the last time she ever had that pleasure." (Research & bio by Don & N.Kirk)