Notes for Charles M. (Spouse 1)
He was a Union soldier from California during the War Between the States. After the War, he was an Indian Fighter. His history is written in the History of Silver City, New Mexico. The Silver City, NM newspaper, on June 6, 1873 printed this story:
"Charles Brakebill was attacked by seven Apache Indians while coming into town with a load of
lumber from the Bremen sawmill. He abandoned his team of four mules and a wagon and came into
town on foot, minus his hat, but with an empty pistol in one hand and a blacksnake whip in the
other."
The newspaper, on September 2, 1902, carried this obituary: "Charles M Brakebill, a pioneer of this
region, died at his home in Metcalf, Arizona Territory (He moved there in about 1890). He was a
pioneer resident of the Southwest, having arrived in New Mexico during the Civil War as a soldier of
the famous California Column. He had come west to the California Gold Rush as a young man from
the East and joined the California Column Army upon its formation. This column forced its way
across 1,000 miles of scorching desert, having skirmishes with Confederates and Apaches all along
the way."
During his lifetime, Charles was engaged in many endeavors. At various times he was a well known
rancher, a miner, a baker, operator of a mercantile store, and a soldier for the Union Army. He served
for six years in the Union Army after joining in 1861 at Marysville, CA. At one time he escorted
Confederate prisoners from California to San Antonio, TX. As an escort, he served under General
Carleton for two years. During this time, he was also in battles with the Navahos.
He was discharged in 1866 in Sante Fe, New Mexico Territory. Following his military career, he
went to work in the silver mines near Lordsburg, NM and then to the Silver City mine. He then went
to work the silver mines at Metcalf, Arizona Territory. He remained in Arizona Territory until his
death in 1902.
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Civil War record for a Union solider from California who ended up in the Southwest Charles Brakebill lists birthplace as Blanding County, Ohio.
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