Researcher: Meredith McDonald

 

          Charles H. Bemis was born September 1, 1841.  His parents, Henry Daniel Bemis and Roxanna Pitkin.  Charles was born in Massachusetts along with his siblings Rebecca, Henry, Charles, Francis, William, and Mary.  At the age of 19 in 1860 Charles worked as a mechanist.  In 1861, living in Worcester, Charles Bemis married Sarah.  During this time, Charles worked as a mechanic and was a maker of plows for Ford.  The death of Charles H. Bemis occurred before May 24, 1899.

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          During Charles' life he served in the Forty-Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (Infantry). The regiment was got its name because over forty of the commissioned officers of the regiment were former members of the Boston Cadets. The commander, Charles R. Codman, was a serving Captain and Adjutant for the Boston Cadets at Fort Warren in 1862. November 5, 1862 was the date Charles and the regiment boarded the steamer MISSISSIPPI in destination for Beaufort, North Caroline. Later taken by train to Newbern, they were then assigned to Amory's Brigade of Foster's Division. The camp for the regiment was located on the banks of the Trent River near Fort Gaston. The regiment then, stayed put, until the 12 of December. On this day the regiment followed command of General Foster's expedition to Goldsboro. This expedition was also followed by eight other companies. On December 14, the 45th experienced a real loss, losing 15 men and 43 wounded. At Whitehall, December 16, lost 4 men and 16 were wounded. At Goldsboro on the 17th the regiment did not fight, and the  day after it began its march back to Newbern, reaching its last camp on  Dec. 21. January 17, 1863, was when the 45th began its stride to Trenton, returning on January 22. From January 26 to April 26 the regiment served as guards in Newbern. On March 14, the confederates attacked at Newbern, which the 45th was not called to fight but, wanted too. On April 27, the regiment took the railroad towards Goldsboro with Amory's Brigade on the expedition to Core Creek.

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          The 45th regiment then lost one man and four wounded  on April 28. Thus ending the expedition. The regiment marched to camp near Fort Spinola in retreat, located just below Newbern on the Trent. On June 24, they continued to Morehead City and there took transports to Boston.  In the Boston they were welcomed and then awaited arrival at camp Reedville until July 8 Arriving at its destination June 30, the regiment was formally welcomed, then proceeded to its old camp at Reedville where it remained until its muster out of the service July 8, 1863 when service ended.

 

          Charles H. Bemis does not have a known burial grave.