Col. C.B.S., 1869
Carte de visite by Charles D. Fredricks & Co. The inscription on this portrait references key details about the individual pictured. His initials, C.B.S., identify him as Charles Bradley Stoughton, the son of a successful New York City attorney. Bellows Falls, a village in southern Vermont, is a place where Charlie, as he was familiarly known, lived with his parents for a few years during his childhood. "Col.," the abbreviation for colonel, is the rank at which he served during the Civil War. His time in the military is further defined by the patch the covers his right eye. It hides the disfigurement caused by a Confederate bullet during the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Back in 1861, 19-year-old Charlie, a recent graduate of Norwich Military Academy, pitched in as drillmaster for Company A of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. In August, he enlisted as a first lieutenant and adjutant in the state's 4th Infantry, which happened to be commanded by his older brother, Edwin, 23. A year later following the Peninsula Campaign, Edwin received his general's star and brigade command. Charlie, now 21, advanced to colonel and command of the 4th.
According to one report, Charlie was the better soldier of the two brothers. This may be a reference to Edwin's embarrassing capture by Confederate partisan ranger John S. Mosby in a March 1863 raid in Northern Virginia. The press made much of Edwin's capture, which happened while he slept at his headquarters in Fairfax Court House.
Just a few months later, Charlie and his Vermonters played a comparatively minor role at Gettysburg, suffering the loss of one wounded man. During the pursuit of Lee's defeated Army of Northern Virginia, the 4th and its brother regiments in the Vermont Brigade clashed with retreating Confederates at Funkstown, Md. During the fight, a Minié bullet struck Charlie in the head and destroyed his right eye. A long and painful recuperation ended in his resignation in early 1864. He received a brevet as brigadier general for gallantry.
Charlie headed to New York, where he studied law with his father. He's pictured here about this time, as evidenced by the tax stamp affixed to the back of the mount, which dates it between August 1864 and August 1866. The inscription date of 1869 indicates he gave this likeness to friends and acquaintances for several years after the sitting. He eventually married and made his home in Vermont and Connecticut.
Charlie fell ill with consumption and died at the Soldier's Home in Bennington, Vt., in 1898. He was 56. The same disease claimed the life of his brother Edwin in 1868. Two children survived him.
I encourage you to use this image for educational purposes only. However, please ask for permission.
Col. C.B.S., 1869
Carte de visite by Charles D. Fredricks & Co. The inscription on this portrait references key details about the individual pictured. His initials, C.B.S., identify him as Charles Bradley Stoughton, the son of a successful New York City attorney. Bellows Falls, a village in southern Vermont, is a place where Charlie, as he was familiarly known, lived with his parents for a few years during his childhood. "Col.," the abbreviation for colonel, is the rank at which he served during the Civil War. His time in the military is further defined by the patch the covers his right eye. It hides the disfigurement caused by a Confederate bullet during the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Back in 1861, 19-year-old Charlie, a recent graduate of Norwich Military Academy, pitched in as drillmaster for Company A of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. In August, he enlisted as a first lieutenant and adjutant in the state's 4th Infantry, which happened to be commanded by his older brother, Edwin, 23. A year later following the Peninsula Campaign, Edwin received his general's star and brigade command. Charlie, now 21, advanced to colonel and command of the 4th.
According to one report, Charlie was the better soldier of the two brothers. This may be a reference to Edwin's embarrassing capture by Confederate partisan ranger John S. Mosby in a March 1863 raid in Northern Virginia. The press made much of Edwin's capture, which happened while he slept at his headquarters in Fairfax Court House.
Just a few months later, Charlie and his Vermonters played a comparatively minor role at Gettysburg, suffering the loss of one wounded man. During the pursuit of Lee's defeated Army of Northern Virginia, the 4th and its brother regiments in the Vermont Brigade clashed with retreating Confederates at Funkstown, Md. During the fight, a Minié bullet struck Charlie in the head and destroyed his right eye. A long and painful recuperation ended in his resignation in early 1864. He received a brevet as brigadier general for gallantry.
Charlie headed to New York, where he studied law with his father. He's pictured here about this time, as evidenced by the tax stamp affixed to the back of the mount, which dates it between August 1864 and August 1866. The inscription date of 1869 indicates he gave this likeness to friends and acquaintances for several years after the sitting. He eventually married and made his home in Vermont and Connecticut.
Charlie fell ill with consumption and died at the Soldier's Home in Bennington, Vt., in 1898. He was 56. The same disease claimed the life of his brother Edwin in 1868. Two children survived him.
I encourage you to use this image for educational purposes only. However, please ask for permission.