Charles N Percy

Charles N Percy was my 3rd great grandfather on my maternal side of the family. My information about him is pretty sketchy at this point; it has been difficult finding a lot of information on him. The search continues!

What I know about Charles is that he was born about 1840 and, perhaps, Scott County, Virginia. He married Margaret W Weaver in September, 1859 in Monroe County, Kentucky. The Monroe County courthouse was damaged during the Civil War along with many records. When Margaret applied for Charles’ pension after he died, she had to prove that she had been married to Charles. Since the courthouse records had been destroyed, she had to get sworn affidavits from the minister and family members, but there was no day given, only the month and year. 

Charles was a member of Company C, 5th Kentucky Cavalry, Union side. He had enrolled on October 14, 1861 and mustered into service on September 16, 1862 in Nashville, Tennessee. Charles was present at

Union soldiers destroying a bridge in Atlanta

the attack on Atlanta, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas campaign. His service record indicates he was a wagoner much of the time. On February 21, 1865 near Monticello, South Carolina, he was taken prisoner. On affidavit in Margaret’s pension file from Co. C’s captain states that the enemy returned him to his company and he was furloughed to go to his home about March 21, 1865. Charles died in Rockcastle County, Kentucky on March 28, 1865 according to Margaret’s affidavit. She also states that he died of typhoid fever. My guess is that he may have contracted the disease while being a prisoner and that could be the reason for his release as a Southern prisoner, but that is purely a guess at this stage of the research. 

Sherman's March to the Sea was celebrated in music in 1865 with words by S.H.M. Byers and music by J.O. Rockwell.

Sherman's March to the Sea devastated Georgia. But as I understand, the Union forces really took it out on South Carolina as they marched north from Savannah, Georgia. Remember, South Carolina is the site of Ft. Sumter and that's the site of the first attack on Union forces thus starting the Civil War. This is also where Charles had been captured just outside of Columbia. 

The link below is a good, short description of the March to the Sea

Sherman's March to the Sea

This concludes the series of maternal ancestors who served this country in the military. I'm certain there are others; they will come to light as the research proceeds. Hopefully, next Veterans Day there will be more to add to the list. Hope you have enjoyed reading about our martial forebearers!  

I have a blog about the paternal side of the family at schellseekers.blogspot.com