A Civil War Biography

Charles Thomas Campbell

Campbell was born 10 August 1823 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He was educated at Marshall College. When war broke out with Mexico in 1847 he entered the army as a 2nd lieutenant in the 8th US Infantry. He was promoted to captain in August 1847 and mustered out of service in 1848.

In 1852 Campbell was elected to the lower house of the Pennsylvania legislature. At the outbreak of the civil war Campbell helped recruit a company of artillery in Franklin County. He was named captain. The company became part of the 1st PA light artillery, also known as the 43rd PA or the 14th PA Reserves, which was formed following a call for volunteers by James Brady of Philadelphia on 13 April 1861. The regiment was the 43rd formed in Pennsylvania. It also was the 1st artillery regiment and the 14th regiment formed after the legislature passed and Governor Andrew G. Curtin signed legislation on 15 May 1861 establishing the "Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Commonwealth."

When Captain Richard H. Rush of the regular army who had been made colonel and given command of the 43rd PA, declined to accept command in the Reserve Corps, and subsequently was commissioned a colonel in the regular army attached to the 6th US Cavalry, Campbell, who had been promoted to lieutenant colonel was elected colonel and new regimental commander. He remained with the 43rd only until December when he took command of the 57th PA Infantry. He commanded the 57th at Fair Oaks where his horse was shot out from under him and he received two severe wounds. He was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in November of 1862 but the appointment expired. He again led the 57th at Fredericksburg where he was again severely wounded and left for dead.

His wounds prevented further active service but Campbell was promoted to brigadier general on 13 March 1863 and given command of the Wisconsin District. In 1866 Campbell relocated to South Dakota working as an Inspector of Indian agencies. In 1870 he established a stagecoach stop along the Firesteel Trail. This stop, which included his residence, an inn, a general store and a large horse barn became the town of Scotland, South Dakota. Campbell who became active in Democratic politics served as mayor of the town he created. He also ran a hotel. Campbell died 15 April 1895 in Scotland, South Dakota.

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