Sub-Series II: Papers of Captain Charles S. Montgomery, 1861-1864

Charles Skinner Montgomery was the 11th child of Harvey and Mary Eleanor (Rochester) Montgomery, born in Rochester, New York on December 5, 1831. He attended the Rochester Academy and Hobart College, training to be a civil engineer. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity at Hobart. Having moved to New York City, he enlisted in the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry on April 25, 1861. Montgomery clearly showed ability as a soldier, being commissioned a Second Lieutenant on September 6, 1861, First Lieutenant on May 1, 1862 (for gallantry at the Battle of Gaines Mill) and Captain on October 19, 1863. His unit saw action in multiple major battles, most notably at Second Manassas. During this battle, he was captured; after a short imprisonment, he was exchanged at Norfolk on September 21, 1862. Recruited for two years, the unit mustered out on May 14, 1863 at New York City. Charles S. Montgomery was one of many men mustered out from the unit who reenlisted as part of the 5th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry in October of 1863. He would ultimately command the unit. Captain Charles S. Montgomery was killed in action at Hatcher’s Run, Virginia (part of the Petersburg Campaign) on February 6, 1865. His body was returned to Rochester and he is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.