BEALE, Edward Fitzgerald, soldier, born in Washington, District of Columbia, 4 February 1822. His father and grandfather were officers in the United States navy, and both of them received medals of honor from congress. His education was begun in Georgetown College, where he remained until he was appointed a cadet at the United States naval academy, and was graduated in 1842. During the war with Mexico he distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry, and was presented with a sword by his brother officers, in recognition of his services as a bearer of dispatches through the enemy's lines. For the same act he was officially complimented by Com. Stockton. At the conclusion of the war with Mexico he resigned his commission and was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs for California and New Mexico. At the request of Maj.-General Wool, he was commissioned Brigadier-General and deputed to terminate an Indian war in California. During the decade preceding the civil war he conducted many important explorations in the far west, and in 1861 was appointed surveyor-general of California by President Lincoln, but offered his services in a military capacity as soon as the war of secession began. In 1876 he was appointed U.S. minister to Austria by President Grant. In 1877 he resigned, and he has since then personally superintended his large sheep and cattle ranch in southern California.