In February of 1862, Thomas Beck made his way to Baldwyn, Miss. which was located only about 20 miles Northwest of his home. He was only 16 years of age and enlisted in the 19th Regiment of the Miss. Volunteers under the command of Capt. William H. Tison. Thomas was described in his service records as 5 Ft. 8 inches tall with blue eyes, dark hair and dark complexion. He officially enlisted on February 26, 1862 and began training for battle.

In a few months, he and the rest of his regiment were placed on troop trains for a trip to Yorktown, Virginia to join up with General Longstreet's Second Division in preparation to defend Richmond against the Union Army. The battle that followed was known as "The Seven Days Battle Before Richmond." Thomas and his regiment were assigned to General Featherston's 6th Brigade. They were mustered into service on April 4, 1862.

After only a short time, Thomas became ill with Acute Bronchitis and was sent to Howard's Grove General Hospital in Richmond, Va. He remained here from May 13, 1862 until June 12, 1862. Ironically, he was released from the hospital in time for the Bloody defense of Richmond.

On June 27, 1862, General Lee ordered the 12th Regt, under Major W.H. Lily, the 19th Regt. under Major John Mullins, the 2nd Regt, under Col. John Stone, and the 11th Regt. under Col. P.H. Liddell to proceed to Gaines Mill, just outside Richmond to stop the advance of the Union Army under General Porter. The Confederates were successful but were outnumbered by the Union Army. These Regiments of the Mississippi Infantry with the help of Hood's Texas Brigade and troops of George Pickett drove the Yankees back across the Chicahominy River.

This Mississippi Brigade fought in this battle of Gaines Mill on June 27th and again at Frayser's Farm on June 30th. Lost in these two battles were: 115 killed, 542 wounded and 9 missing for a total of 666. Of those wounded, was Thomas Beck, who was sent back to the hospital at Howard's Grove to recover.

Thomas was again admitted to the hospital in Richmond on November 28, 1863 with Chronic Rheumatism and was released on December 4, 1863 and was given furlough which expired on February 6th, 1864. Thomas headed back to his home in Mississippi and enlisted in Co. F of Ham's Regiment, Miss. Cavalry with his brother William Isaac and was promoted to 1st Sergeant.

After Thomas spent a few months at home, he joined Ham's Cavalry Regiment with his brother William and they fought across Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee with General Taylor's forces. William was first captured near Selma, Alabama and shortly afterwards, he was exchanged for Northern prisoners and returned home for 60 days before returning to duty with Ham's Regiment. In the spring of 1864, the brothers fought in the battle of Chattanooga. In the spring of 1865, William was again captured and put in the barracks at Richmond, Virginia. Thomas was captured in May of 1865 when General Taylor surrendered to the Union Army at Citronelle, Alabama. All men signed their parole papers and were sent home on troop trains and were allowed to keep their horses and take them home with them.

Both brothers returned home to find their Grain Mill destroyed and their farm ravaged and began working to repair all the damage done by the War. Shortly after the War's end, Thomas was married to Mary Ella Beene, and soon after that, William was married to Nancy Lowery.