DOB/DOD: October 3, 1833 (Jewett City, CT) – September 13, 1911 (West Somerville, MA); 77 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Mary E. Corbin (1834-1905) on December 27, 1853, in Upton, Massachusetts.
CHILDREN: One daughter, Nellie A. (1872-1923). One son, Oliver E. (1866-1933).
ENLISTMENT: August 6, 1862, in Springfield, Massachusetts
WOUNDED: April 2, 1865. His right leg was amputated.
DISCHARGE: July 4, 1865, in Chester, Pennsylvania, due to wounds received.
FAMILY: Born to Albert L. (1801-1878) and Harriet Birch Tracy (1803-1853). Three sisters, Mary L. (1828-1903), Susan A. Tracy Leavens (1840-1924), and Fanny S. (1846-1911). Two brothers, William C. (1839-1920) and Thomas (1842-?).
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Army
UNIT: Company A, 37th Massachusetts Infantry
DATE OF ISSUE AND PRESENTATION: November 19, 1897 (33 years later)
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 31
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Charles H. Tracy, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company A, 37th Massachusetts Infantry. At the risk of his own life, at Spotsylvania, Virginia, 12 May 1864, Sergeant Tracy assisted in carrying to a place of safety a wounded and helpless officer. On 2 April 1865, at Petersburg, Virginia, he advanced with the pioneers and, under heavy fire, assisted in removing two lines of chevaux-de-frise [definition: a portable barrier of spikes, sword blades, etc. used to obstruct the passage of cavalry]; was twice wounded but advanced to the third line, where he was again severely wounded, losing a leg.
From The Boston Globe November 17, 1897
MEDAL OF HONOR FOR GALLANTRY
Charles H. Tracy of the Boston Custom House Gets One for Bravery Before Defenses of Petersburg.
A Washington dispatch yesterday contained the brief announcement that Charles H. Tracy, the one-legged watchman of the Boston custom house, had been awarded a Medal of Honor for bravery in action in the rebellion. Before the little army of custom house officials arrived at their desks yesterday, Mr. Tracy had departed for his home on Green Street, Charleston, as he is one of the night watchmen at “the old stone fort.”
Mr. Tracy’s daughter has been a long time at work establishing her father’s rights to receive this distinguished honor, and when she read the news in yesterday’s paper, she was delighted. Of course, Mr. Tracy was pleased, and it is safe to say there wasn’t a happier home on top of Bunker Hill yesterday than the Tracy home on Greer Street.
On August 6, 1862, Mr. Tracy enlisted in the 37th Mass Infantry as a Private, his commander being Colonel Oliver Edwards. He served in Company A. On September 2 of that year, the 37th was mustered in as a regiment at Camp Briggs at Pittsfield. The regiment then proceeded on its way to Washington. a
He was mustered out on June 21, 1865. His first engagement was the Battle of Fredericksburg, and from that time to the close of his military, he served in 15 battles, as follows: Salem Heights, Marye’s Heights, Gettysburg, Funkstown, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Charleston, Winchester, Hatcher’s Run, and Petersburg.
It was in the last-named battle Sergeant Tracy made his record for gallantry in action. Here, he lost his right leg, being wounded four times within 10 minutes.
The adjutant general’s report for 1865 is the following account of the action which Mr. Tracy lost his leg: “The night of the 1st of April was occupied by the 6th Corps in preparation for a general assault on the enemy’s lines below Petersburg. The brigades were formed in columns of attack, preceded by a band of pioneers and a heavy skirmish line. In our brigade, the pioneers were under the direction of Sergt Tracy, and the skirmish line was composed entirely of men detailed from the 37th, the 37th itself occupying the front line of the battle in the brigade.
“While cutting away the abattis in front of the enemy’s forts, the pioneers suffered severely. Sergt Tracy was early disabled by a ball passing through his leg. He did not leave the field, but lying on his side, he still directed the movements of his men. While thus engaged, a second ball shattered his knee joint. Capt Robinson charged at the head of his skirmishers through abattis when he was wounded and had to be borne back. The colors of the 37th were the first in the division to wave over the rebel works.”
From The Boston Globe September 15, 1911
BRAVE SOLDIER BURIED
Lieutenant Charles H. Tracy, a Medal of Honor Hero, Laid at Rest in Chicopee — Services There and in Somerville.
Lieutenant Charles H. Tracy of Somerville, who received a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at Petersburg, where he lost a leg, was buried this afternoon in the family lot in Fairview Cemetery, Chicopee. The services in that city were in charge of St John’s Lodge of Odd Fellows and the 37th Massachusetts Regimental Association, in both societies of which he was a member.
Lieutenant Tracy was also an honored member of Abraham Lincoln Post 11 of Charlestown, and the services at his home in West Somerville held yesterday afternoon were in charge of the post, and the Grand Army ritual was impressively conducted by Commander Gibbs and other officers. A tribute to the memory of Lieutenant Tracy was paid by Reverend Dr. Ransom A. Greene, pastor of the First Universalist Church, Charlestown, who referred to the honorable record of his friend in the cause of his country and his sufferings in the hospital at City Point, Virginia when he was visited by President Lincoln and cared for by Clara Barton.
Floral tributes were received from the Department of Massachusetts, Woman’s Relief Corps (W.R.C.), Mrs. Helen C. Mulford, past national aide, W. R. C., and by other friends of the family.
In addition to Abraham Lincoln Post and Corps of Charlestown, there were present at the ceremonies, representatives of the 37th Massachusetts Regimental Association, in which regiment he served, Department officers of the Woman’s Relief Corps, Mrs. Florence Haynes national inspector W. R. C. Mrs. Sarah BL Fuller of the national executive board, Mrs. Maria W. Going and Mrs. Mary E. Knowles, past national officers W.R.C. and others.
The bravery of Lieutenant Tracy and his three years of army service was recognized by Governor Andrew and others of prominence, in addition to the members of Congress.
Lieutenant Tracy was born in Jewett City, Connecticut, on October 3, 1883, and was married in Upton, Massachusetts, on December 27, 1853, to Mary Elizabeth Corbin, who died six years ago. They lived in Chicopee from 1853 to 1891. He held a position in the Boston Customs House from 1890 to 1906. For many years, he had been a sufferer from his wound and, during the past five years, had been unable to walk unassisted but had been tenderly cared for by his daughter, Miss Nellie A. Tracy, who is officially connected with the department of Mass, W. R. C.
The other relatives are Reverend Thomas Tracy of Dehra Doon, U. P., of India, and William C. Tracy. of Chicopee, brothers; Mrs. W.H. Leavens of Connecticut, a sister: Oliver Edwards Tracy, a son, and Ralph Tracy, a grandson, both of Dorchester.
The home of Lieutenant Tracy had been one of unusual hospitality, and his valuable collection of war relics was often exhibited to friends. He had an inexhaustible fund of reminiscences and an entertaining way of relating a story. His cheerful manner and enthusiasm attracted many friends. Lieutenant Tracy was several years ago a member of the Department Council of Administration of the G.A.R. of Massachusetts and was well known throughout the state.
Buried in Fairview Cemetery, 60 Fanjoy Drive, Chicopee, Massachusetts; Oleander Path, Lot 26. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
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