Charles A. Wilson (b.
1842 - d. 1916)
MSA SC 3520-4048
USCT Soldier, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
Charles Alexander Wilson was born as a free man near Centreville, Queen Anne's County, Maryland on October 12, 1842 (according to his death record). In an affidavit, Wilson states that he was born "within five miles of this town (Centreville)." He was employed as a farm hand before joining the service. On March 31, 1864, Charles enlisted as a private in Company K of the 39th United States Colored Troops regiment. The 39th U.S. Colored Troops regiment was organized at Baltimore, Maryland from March 22 to 31, 1864. 1 The enlisted soldiers in this regiment were to serve three years and mainly composed of colored men from all parts of Maryland. 2 While serving in this regiment, Charles was fortunate to be accompanied by James Taylor, a friend whom he grew up with as they both lived near one another.
After joining the 39th regiment, Charles mentions in an affidavit that his "mess-mate" was James Taylor for the duration of their service time. 3 According to a questionnaire, Wilson listed Petersburg as one battle that he participated in. 4 The regiment participated in various battles, including Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, and the Wilderness campaign. 5 After the Petersburg campaign, the regiment was transferred to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, which proved arduous for Wilson. Taylor states in an affidavit that Charles' feet were "frosted" while they were traveling to Fort Fisher by boat in January 1865. James thought that Wilson's feet began to be frost bitten while they were in Virginia marching to the boat, which took about a day in the cold, snowy weather. 6 According to James, Charles' feet "were swelled as bad that he had to cut his shoes, as he could not get them on and off." 7 Not only did Charles suffer with this problem during the war, but also for the remainder of his life. Wilson states in an affidavit that many soldiers were forced "to sleep anywhere on the boat that we could find a place to sleep" while traveling from Bermuda Hundred, Virginia to Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Throughout the war, many of the soldiers were subjected to deplorable conditions, which would have lasting effects for many. By 1897, Wilson was drawing a pension rate of $6.00 a month for "rheumatism and disease of feet." 8 After performing garrison duty in the Southern States, the 39th regiment was officially discharged from the military on December 04, 1865. 9
After being discharged from the army, Wilson returned to Centreville, Maryland where he would spend the remainder of his life. He married Louisa Boon who lived at the home of Zebulan S. Orrell in Corsica Landing, Queen Anne's County, Maryland around 1850. 10 By 1880, she was living with Charles A. Wilson on a farm near Centreville. 11 Shortly after gaining his discharge, Charles worked for Hopper Nicholson who stated in an affidavit that Charles did farm work for him around 1870 and his physical condition was good at that time. Nicholson also stated that Charles "made a good hand" and was "a man of good reputation; he has always been regarded as an honest, upright man." 12 Wilson had obviously left a good impression on Nicholson. He performed various other jobs for people around the Centreville area as well. On December 27, 1916, Charles A. Wilson died from a cerebral hemorrhage and was buried at Centreville, Maryland two days later, according to his death record.
For a visual representation of Charles A. Wilson's journey from slavery to freedom, please click here. Users must have access to Google Earth in order to utilize this file, which includes landmarks (pins) in Wilson's life from around 1842 to 1916. You may take the tour and investigate individual sites under the "Places" tab on the left of the screen, or you may navigate using the slider and cursor on the map itself.1. Wilmer, L. Allison , J. H. Jarrett, and Geo. W. F. Vernon. History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-65. Vol. 2 (Baltimore, MD: Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., 1899), 261.
2. Ibid.
3. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 4126] Charles A. Wilson, Box 16, Folder 302, p. 56, 57.
5. Wilmer, History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, 261.
6. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, Pension File, Folder 302, p. 40.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid., 53.
9. Wilmer, 261.
10. Pension File, Folder 302, p. 81.
11. Ibid.
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