Wilson Beers, prior to his enlistment with Co.K., 81st PA., Reg., Inf., Vols., served a three month enlistment with Co. I., 6th PA., Inf., Vols.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, with his regiment (Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company K; organized in Eckley, PA.), Private Wilson Beers braved a ruptured hernia. After assembling in the center of the Union line along Cemetery Ridge, Pvt. Wilson Beers advanced double-quick with the 81st PA. to the "Wheatfield" where some of the most savage fighting ocurred. He was shot through the neck and fell to the ground. William Richards(the brave little Welshman aka Billy Richards) carried him from the battlefield. He was transferred to McClellan Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. and to the General Hospital located in Nicetown, PA. where he remained until he was discharged. After the war he worked as a laborer.

He has a government and family stone in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, PA. He also has a government marker in Hollenback Cemetery in the Grand Army of the Republic Plot, also in Wilkes Barre.

With his application for a Civil War Pension dated July 22, 1873, Wilson Beers submitted the following testimony:

Affidavit given by Capt. John W. Pryor 81st PA. Vol., Inf., Co.D.: "… "Wilson Beers … was wounded by a gun shot ball in the neck… the ball struck him just back of the right ear in the neck and passed through the chords of the neck and came out on back of the neck near the left ear." Affidavit dated December 29, 1874.

A letter from James Carrol (Powell, Bradford County, PA.) to Wilson Beers dated June 4, 1894: "… in '62 have stood by you in many a hard fight. I have marched with you many a hard days march. I saw you at Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg and when we started to double-quick for the Wheatfield with one hand holding your cartridge box up claiming you were much in distress and you afterwards told me you were ruptured. I saw you but a few feet from you falling with a ball through the neck. I saw the little Welshman Billy Richards bending over you bearing you off the field."