Charles Sawyer Russell

Charles Sawyer Russell (March 15, 1831 – November 2, 1866) was a United States Army officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Early life and career Russell was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1831, the son of John Brooks Russell, a publisher and seed dealer, and his wife, Mary Hicks Sawyer. In 1855, he married Annie Stretcher of Indianapolis, Indiana, and relocated to that state. They had two daughters: Annie Bell Russell and Caroline Russell (who married David Bispham in 1885). Civil War service At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, Russell was a sergeant (April 19) and then quickly a captain (May 14) in the 11th U.S. Infantry Regiment, and was stationed to Fort Independence in Boston. He was mustered out of the volunteer service on June 30. Russell was brevetted to major for his participation at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and brevetted to lieutenant colonel on May 3, 1863 for meritorious service at the Battle of Chancellorsville.