J. A. Bering was born and educated in Cincinnati. When the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in the army as a private. In January, 1863, he was promoted to the captaincy, and in February, 1864, to the position of major, of the Forty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was captured during Banks' Red River expedition, in April, 1864. He made his escape, and made a journey of over two hundred miles - within fifty miles of the Union forces - when he was re-captured. Upon his return to prison he found the others of his regiment had been exchanged during his absence. He remained a prisoner until about two months after the close of the war. In 1866, he moved to Webertown, Highland county, kept a general store, and, at the end of three years, moved to Lynchburgh and opened a stock of merchandise. In 1871 he was appointed a revenue officer, and, in 1879, sold his store to his brother, and became deputy collector. He holds a prominent place in the esteem of his fellow citizens as a man of ability and integrity.

 

BERING'S DIARY OF '64 BARES HECTIC TALE CLICK IMAGE AT LEFT FOR ENLARGEMENT Newspaper clipping contributed by Carolyn Srofe

 

An Illustrious Son of Lynchburg (Obituary) CLICK IMAGE AT LEFT FOR ENLARGEMENT Newspaper clipping contributed by Carolyn Srofe

 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

J. A. Bering in later life
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Srofe

 

In 1905 at the dedication
of the Vicksburg monument

 

Sylvia West Bering, J. A. Bering's wife
Courtesy of Carolyn Srofe

 

 

Bering monument in the Masonic Cemetery, Lynchburg, Ohio
Courtesy of Pat Montgomery Fagan

Detail of Bering Monument

Physical Description:
John A. Bering
Age: 22 years Oct. 5, 1861, 24  Feb. 27, 1864
Born: Cincinnati, Ohio
Occupation: Shoemaker
Eyes: blue
Hair: dark
Height: 5' 6"

Mustered:
Oct. 3, 1861, J. W. Frazee, for 3 years at Lynchburg, Ohio
Rank:   Sgt.    10/4/61
1st Sgt.        1/1/62
Capt.   1/14/63
Major   2/27/64
Veteran reinlistment Feb. 27, 1864, Berwick city, La.

Military Record:

Date    Present Rank    Event
Oct-61  ns          Sgt.    Mustered in Oct. 3, 1861, Appointed Sgt. Oct., 15
Nov-61  ns         Sgt.
Dec-61  ns         Sgt.
Jan-62  p       Orderly, Co. C  Promoted to first sgt. Jan 1, 62
Feb-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Mar-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Apr-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
May-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Jun-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Jul-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Sep-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Oct-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Nov-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Dec-62  p       Orderly, Co. C
Jan-63  p       Capt. Co. C     Appointed Capt. Co. C, Jan. 13, 1863 (vice Frazee) Millicans Bend Station
Jan-63  p       Capt. Co. C     On Special duty Commanding Regiment, from Dec. 6, 1863
Feb-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Mar-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Apr-63  p       Capt. Co. C
May-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Jun-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Jun-63  p       Capt.
Jul-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Aug-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Sep-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Oct-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Nov-63  p       Capt. Co. C
Dec-63  p       Capt. Co. C     On Special duty Commanding Regiment, Dec. 6, 1863 - Feb. 27, 64.  (Listed as "no responsibility" on some rolls.)
Jan-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI
Feb-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI   Appointed major, age 24, feb. 27, 1864, Berwick City, La.(vice Motes deceased)
Feb-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI   Reenlisted as veteran
Mar-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI   Writes letter reporting battles the 48th was in.
Apr-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI   Laken Paisenin
Apr-64  p       Maj. 48th OVI   Reported "Killed in action." by Col. Landram, Dividsion Commander
May-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI   Missing in action in Battle of Sabine Crossroads
Jun-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI
Jul-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI
Aug-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI
Sep-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI
Oct-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI   October 22, 1864 the 48th OVVI is paroled except for Bering and Srofe.
Nov-64  mia     Maj. 48th OVI
Dec-64  pow     Maj. 48th OVI
Jan-65  pow     Maj. 48th OVI
Feb-64  pow     Maj. 48th OVI   Writes letter requesting exchange 2/9/65.
Mar-65  pow     Maj. 48th OVI
Apr-65  pow     Maj. 48th OVI
May-65  pow     Maj. 48th OVI   Parolled May 27, 1865 at mouth Red R. La. (May 30, Barker letter 1)
Jun-65  ns      Maj. 48th OVI   Mustered out June 9, 1865 (June 9, Barker Letter 2)

        ns= "not stated"
        Bold = Commanded regiment

Click above to view letter from Maj. J. A. Bering
to the Commissioner of Exchange following his recapture

 

 

Letter from Maj. J. A. Bering outlining the
48th OVVI's engagements for their battle flag

 

Bryan McDade as John Bering in "Meet Major Bering" "Meet Major Bering" is a living history program presented in the original courthouse building at the Old Washington Historic State Park in Washington, in Southwest Arkansas. "The time is 1864 and the War Between the States is raging.  Meet Major John Bering, a Union prisoner of war who has been brought to Washington, Arkansas.  Listen to him as he describes the harrowing story of his escape from a Confederate Prison of War Camp, his recapture, and his impressions of Washington." Program details and photograph courtesy of: Bryan McDade Historian Old Washington Historic State Park P.O. Box 98 Washington, AR  71862