IN MEMORIAM.
Charles H. Blake was born near Lytle, Warren Co., O., August 16, 1840;
died near Lebanon, O. January 31st 1902, aged 61 years, 3 months and 15
days. On June 29th 1879, he was married to Miss Bertha Atkinson. Eight
children were born of this union; Wilber J., Charles Ellsworth, Clarence
R., Mabel A., Sylvan R., Howard A., Bethena and Daniel A., six of whom
and the widow survive. Howard A. and Daniel A. died in 1897 and 1896,
respectively.
Comrade Charles H. Blake on his 21st birthday enlisted in Lebanon, August 15th, 1861 and was mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Hamilton, as a private in Co. A, Capt. Jos. L. Budd's Company, 35th Regt. O.V.I. at the age of twenty-one years and was honorably discharged August 26th, 1864, after three years of honorable service, on account of expiration of term of service. Comrade Blake, with his company, was engaged in siege of Corinth, Miss., battle of Perryville, Ky., Hoovers Gap, Chickamauga, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. On the Buell retreat from Dechard, Tenn. Comrade Blake was sick but remained with the Company, dragging along day after day, when he ought to have been in the hospital until after the battle of Perryville, Ky. when he was sent to the hospital. After an absence of ten months he returned to the Regiment, very much emancipated, weak and still in bad health. Again on the Tallahoma and Chickamauga campaign he dragged along day after day, some of the comrades often carrying his gun for him, and officers and men begging him to take a discharge. This he refused to accept, declaring his determination to serve to end of his enlistment if he lived.
At the battle of Chickamauga, on the very front line of battle, he was the first man in Co. A. to be wounded, receiving a severe wound in the left breast, the ball fastening itself between the ribs. He was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga and thence to Nashville, returning to the Regiment in December, 1863.
For three years he wore the uniform, for two years he carried the musket and knapsack of his country. For two years marched, drilled, paced the sentry’s beat stood upon the lonely picket post and discharged every duty of a private soldier. For one year he suffered in the hospital of pain and anguish, without murmur or complaint.
We his comrades, who served in the same regiment and company, can and
truthfully do say, he was patient, faithful, courageous and brave, and
above his grave, with all comrades and patriots respect, “Here lies
a true and noble defender of his country, and his country’s flag.”
Since the war Comrade Blake has lived in this and the adjoining county
of Clinton. He was a good citizen, a dutiful and loving son, his devotion
to his father and mother will ever be remembered, a loving and devout
husband, and indulgent and kind father. Comrade Blake was a member in
good standing of Billy Baner Post No. 537, G. A. R.
Source: The Western Star, Lebanon,
Ohio, Thursday, February 27, 1902, Page 1
Copy from the Obituary Collection at the Warren
County Genealogical Society,
406 Justice Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036-2349, (513) 695-1144 - [email protected]
by
Arne H Trelvik
21 April 2010