Description
Following the disaster of Bull Run during the summer of 1861, Charles would be commissioned captain of “D” Company of the 76th New York Infantry in October of 1861. The Freetown, New York native, labored zealously to make his company one of the best well drilled and strictly disciplined companies of the regiment. He would later command his company at Rappahannock Station, Warrenton Springs, Gainesville and The Second Battle of Bull Run. It would be during the latter engagement that Charles would be seriously wounded. While engaged during the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 29th, Charles would be struck three times while leading the company into battle. Two lead slugs would slam into his right thigh and a third ball would smash into his left arm just below the elbow, passing through the arm and shattering the bone. The wounding of the arm would make the use of the limb nearly useless, and 4 months later, he would receive a medical discharge. This view shows Charles while recovering from his wounds at home in Freetown with his arm still in a sling. His slouch cap can be seen resting on the table at his side with the numerals “76” clearly visible inside the infantry horn. Charles has signed the reverse of this card in pencil reading “Chas. L. Watrous Freetown, New York”. Back marked by Brady’s National Portrait Gallery.
