A Soldier's Life Charles Shepard, Second Lieutenant, Company I 106th New York Volunteer Infantry   Left: Unidentified 106th officer Right: Charles Shepard

Charles Shepard, joining the regiment at age 19, left behind a steady stream of letters, telling of everything from the novelty and weariness of camp life, to the fearsome adventure of battle. Click on the letter below to read one such account:

In the spring of 1864, General Grant launched the Army of the Potomac on a relentless offensive to break the rebellion. At Cold Harbor, in June of 1864, Charles Shepard marched out at the head of his company, then, struck by a bullet to the head, died instantly. His own words provided an epilogue for all those who died for the Union:

“Arrived at Fairmount about noon & marched across the river where we again started our fires for dinner——which over, some laid down in the shade, while others wandered over the hills to examine the historic grounds of the late fight. immediately across the river upon the mossy bank under a grove of noble trees a small mound of upturned earth marks the grave of David Brown of Co D from Richville the first man killed in battle of the 106th. Here where he so nobly fell let him rest in his last calm sleep while the quiet waters flow by his feet and the summer winds murmer among the trees above”

—-      Copied from one of Charles W. Shepard’s letters by his mother

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