Charles Russell was born in Litchfield, CT, on July 25, 1828. At a very early age he moved with his father, Samuel S. Russell, to the village of Westville, in the town of New Haven. He lived there until the age of 12 when his family relocated to Derby. He attended Derby schools and learned to be a tack maker. He lived in Derby until the Civil War broke out and he entered the army. While in Derby he enlisted in the local private military group the “Derby Blues” as a private and rose to the rank of Captain. He also for a period of time was the local commander of the Wide-Awakes, a group we will cover in a future post.
When the war broke out he quit his job and began raising troops. Several members of the Derby Blues, which he had previously commanded, enlisted through his exertions and joined the 2nd CT Volunteer Regiment under Colonel Terry for the required period of 90 days. Russell, from his well-known ability and long acquaintance with the state militia, was commissioned Adjutant of the regiment. He served at the First Battle of Bull Run and acquitted himself with honor, receiving from General Keyes, his division commander, a commendation for coolness and bravery.
After his enlistment expired, he returned to his workshop in Derby and began raising another volunteer company which was assigned to the 8th CT forming in New Haven. Russell was an admirer of Elmer Ellsworth the first Union officer killed in the Civil War and in his honor called his company “The Ellsworth Guard.” He was opposed to slavery and when interviewed in Derby during this period he stated “Yes, I’m going to see this thing through. We must defend the principles we have professed. Every young Republican ought to go to the front.” While in New Haven the governor named him the lieutenant colonel of the 10th CT then mustering in Hartford. The members of his company offered to make up from their own funds the difference in pay between the two positions if he would decline the offer. A compromise was reached by transferring his old company to the 10th CT. He accepted the position and was shortly thereafter promoted to colonel.
The 10th CT was assigned to General Burnside and became part of the Burnside Expedition’s invasion of the North Carolina coast. After a long and perilous voyage the troops landed on Roanoke Island on February 7, 1862. The 10th CT played a prominent role in the battle, an early Union victory. That next day while leading his troops in an attack on a Confederate redoubt he was shot and killed. An account of the action that day is listed below.
The Tenth, being ordered forward to relieve the 25th Massachusetts, advanced, and formed its first battleline with precision and coolness, under a terrible fire. The leftwing was held in reserve. The right commenced firing with a will; and it was immediately opposite this point that the rebels met their heaviest loss. ” The firing on both sides was now terrific. The right wing stood up and fought nobly. They suffered severely. For an hour we fought on, not a man shrinking from his post. Other regiments were marched into the woods on our right and left; but we
kept our position. Balls came thicker and faster. We were ordered to lie down under the bushes and stop firing. Down the boys piled themselves, and sought cover of logs, stumps, and whatever else furnished protection. Colonel Russell for along time refused to lie down. A ball whizzed close to him. Captain G. M. Coit called out- ‘Colonel, that was meant for you: lie down; do lie down!’ The colonel stood quietly watching for the appearance of troops on the flank of the enemy. Again, Coit entreated him to lie down, and this time successfully. We had been thus covered for a few minutes, when a shot came lower than usual: it entered his shoulder and pierced him to the heart. It was to him an instantaneous death. His body was carried to the rear, and we lay still!
His remains were received at New Haven with public honors. His funeral in Derby was attended by public officials and military and civic organizations. In general orders, his death was lamented by his brigade and department commanders. Fort Defiance, the captured redoubt on Roanoke Island where he was killed, was renamed Battery Russell in his honor.