Charles R. Brackett

Rochester’s Last Civil War Soldier

Born in Somersworth, NH, Charles R. Brackett was 18 years old at the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted on September 3,1861 in Company B of the 4^th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a Musician. He re-enlisted on February 28,1864 and was mustered out on August 23,1865 at Raleigh, NC, he served throughout the war, receiving only minor wounds.

Following Lee’s surrender, he came to Rochester and found employment in the old E.G. & E. Wallace shoe shop, which was located, near the B & M Railroad Station. He had charge of the heeling department before the company moved to its large brick plant on South Main Street.

For 16 years he was janitor at the old Maple Street School where his daughter Mrs. Ida B. Meader taught. He was a charter member of Sampson Post, G.A.R. and also of the Fort Fisher Command.

On March 12,1870 he married Miss Clara H. Howard, with the Rev. John Nutter, a retired Methodist minister, and a neighbor of his sister, who lived on Charles Street, performing the ceremony. At that time Charles Street was of dirt and there were few houses in the vicinity, even cattle roamed the street.

Mr. Brackett died on April 13,1937 at his home at 20 Jackson Street where he had been confined. Mr. and Mrs. Brackett celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary just a month ago on March 12. Mr. Brackett was active up to last Friday when he returned from his morning walk downtown. He complained of not feeling well and went to bed. He suffered a shock and pneumonia developed. He is survived by his wife and daughter with whom he lived and a son, Russell, who also lived at home.

Funeral services will be held from the late house. Burial will be in the Rochester ceremony under the direction of J. Harvey Edgerly.

Taps for Charles R. Brackett, Rochester’s last Civil War veteran, was sounded at the Rochester cemetery, where he was buried with full military honors. Leon Chapman plays the notes at the grave, which were echoed from a distance by Fabian Bergeron.

A guard of honor composed of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, followed by cars containing relatives and friends, escorted the body. The Rev. Everett Gardiner officiating at the funeral held at the late home at 20 Jackson Street.

Bearers were Richard Varney, Joshua Studley, Leonard C. Hardwick, Jude Rainville, Armand Lacroix and Philip Hubbard.

Chaplain Edward Johnston offered a brief prayer and Commander Edward Joblonski of the American Legion tossed a rose into the grave. The squads of uniformed ex-soldiers in the background were in charge of Sergeant Oliver Kidder and fired volleys over the grave.

The impressive ceremonies, which were attended by city officials, relatives and friends, marked the end of the Grand Army of the Republic in this city.