Charles F. Searle, Civil War Soldier
Title
Charles F. Searle, Civil War Soldier
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Description
harles F. Searle.
Born in Chicopee, Mass___Son of Rufus C. Searle,___by occupation a Carpenter,___Unmarried,___at the age of 22 enlisted for three years in the 21st Regiment of infantry, Mass. Vols.__Company B.___Mustered into service in August, 1861.__
August 23, 1861, regiment left camp at Worcester, Mass., arrived in Baltimore, Md. on the 25th, and went into camp. On the 29th moved to Annapolis. Remained there on guard duty till Jan. 6, 1862. At that date, embarked on steamer "Northener", to take part in the Burnside Expedition to North Carolina.
February 7, 1862, disembarked at Roanoke Island, in readiness for the battle which occurred the next day. In the battle the regiment behaved with great gallantry. They worked their way under the enemy's fire, through a deep swamp full of underbrush and briars. Having thus flanked the position, they made a brave, steady charge with the bayonet, driving the enemy from their works, and, capturing the rebel flag which was on the battery, they planted in its place theur regimental state flag, which was the first Union color in the battery.___After the battle, went into camp on Roanoke Island, and remained there till March 11th following.In the Battle of Newbern, March 14th, the regiment took a prominent front. It was highly commended in the official reports, and Gen. Burnside presented them with the first gun taken by them from the enemy.___After the battle, went into camp at Newbern.__
April 17, sailed from Newbern to Elizabeth City, N.C. and on the 19th, after a forced march of 20 miles, took part in the Battle of Camden.___ Arrived at Newbern in return on the 22nd.
May 17, made a forced march, through deep mud and a drenching rain, to Pollocksville, to the rescue of the 2nd Regt, Md. Vols.
July 6, 1862, sailed from Newbern, arrived off Ft. Monroe on the 8th, and camped on the 9th at Newport News, Va.___August 2nd embarked for Acquina Creek Va. arrived there on the 4th, went to Fredericksburg and encamped. On the 12th, started to report to Gen. Pope on the Rapidan. Performed goo service during Gen. Pope's retreat, and subsequently on the 29th and 30th in the Battle of Bull Run.___September 1, 1862, the battle of Chantilly was fought. The 21st suffered severely, by falling into an ambuscade in the night and during a thunder storm.
Arrived at Washington, Sept. 5th, and on the 7th marched towards Maryland. In the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam the regiment performed its full part. In the battle of Antietam, Searles was not engaged, as his company was detailed to guard rebel prisoners at Frederick City, Md.__ Went into camp at Pleasant Valley, Md. October 27th crossed the Potomac into Virginia.
December 12, 1862, crossed the Rappahannock, and on the next day went into the Battle of Fredericksburgh. In the engagement the regiment met heavy loss. Searle had a narrow escape from a bursting shell, which literally covered him with dirt and killed several of his comrades about him.
Died at Springfield, Mass
Born in Chicopee, Mass___Son of Rufus C. Searle,___by occupation a Carpenter,___Unmarried,___at the age of 22 enlisted for three years in the 21st Regiment of infantry, Mass. Vols.__Company B.___Mustered into service in August, 1861.__
August 23, 1861, regiment left camp at Worcester, Mass., arrived in Baltimore, Md. on the 25th, and went into camp. On the 29th moved to Annapolis. Remained there on guard duty till Jan. 6, 1862. At that date, embarked on steamer "Northener", to take part in the Burnside Expedition to North Carolina.
February 7, 1862, disembarked at Roanoke Island, in readiness for the battle which occurred the next day. In the battle the regiment behaved with great gallantry. They worked their way under the enemy's fire, through a deep swamp full of underbrush and briars. Having thus flanked the position, they made a brave, steady charge with the bayonet, driving the enemy from their works, and, capturing the rebel flag which was on the battery, they planted in its place theur regimental state flag, which was the first Union color in the battery.___After the battle, went into camp on Roanoke Island, and remained there till March 11th following.In the Battle of Newbern, March 14th, the regiment took a prominent front. It was highly commended in the official reports, and Gen. Burnside presented them with the first gun taken by them from the enemy.___After the battle, went into camp at Newbern.__
April 17, sailed from Newbern to Elizabeth City, N.C. and on the 19th, after a forced march of 20 miles, took part in the Battle of Camden.___ Arrived at Newbern in return on the 22nd.
May 17, made a forced march, through deep mud and a drenching rain, to Pollocksville, to the rescue of the 2nd Regt, Md. Vols.
July 6, 1862, sailed from Newbern, arrived off Ft. Monroe on the 8th, and camped on the 9th at Newport News, Va.___August 2nd embarked for Acquina Creek Va. arrived there on the 4th, went to Fredericksburg and encamped. On the 12th, started to report to Gen. Pope on the Rapidan. Performed goo service during Gen. Pope's retreat, and subsequently on the 29th and 30th in the Battle of Bull Run.___September 1, 1862, the battle of Chantilly was fought. The 21st suffered severely, by falling into an ambuscade in the night and during a thunder storm.
Arrived at Washington, Sept. 5th, and on the 7th marched towards Maryland. In the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam the regiment performed its full part. In the battle of Antietam, Searles was not engaged, as his company was detailed to guard rebel prisoners at Frederick City, Md.__ Went into camp at Pleasant Valley, Md. October 27th crossed the Potomac into Virginia.
December 12, 1862, crossed the Rappahannock, and on the next day went into the Battle of Fredericksburgh. In the engagement the regiment met heavy loss. Searle had a narrow escape from a bursting shell, which literally covered him with dirt and killed several of his comrades about him.
Died at Springfield, Mass
Source
Soldier's Record, Town of Chicopee
Publisher
Date
ca. 1861-1865
Rights
Public Domain
Type
Text
Coverage
Chicopee (Mass.)
Identifier
SR-136.0
Files
Collection
Citation
“Charles F. Searle, Civil War Soldier,” Chicopee Archives Online, accessed November 4, 2024, https://chicopeepubliclibrary.org/archives/items/show/2757.