Charles and his brother John enlisted in the 4th Iowa Cavalry 12-31-1863 and joined their regiment in western Tennessee. In Bradeks history of the family he says Charles and others took some prisoners to Chicago. He became ill on the train returning and died of pneumonia. His military record says that he became ill 3-18-1864 and entered a military hospital March 24 at Camp Hebron Warren Co. Mississippi where he died 3-27-1864 of Typhoid Fever.

Military description: Age 19, Ht. 5 ft. 6 in. complexion light, hair light, eyes grey.