b. 03/10/1833 Jewett City, Connecticut. d. 13/09/1911 Somerville, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 12/05/1864 and 02/04/1865 Spotsylvania and Petersburg, Virginia.
Charles H Tracy MOH
Tracy was born the son of Albert Tracy and Mrs. Harriet Birch Tracy on October 3, 1833 in Jewett City, Connecticut. After leaving school he learned the machinist trade. He married Mary Elisabeth Corbin in Upton, Massachusetts on December 27, 1853. Around 1853, the couple moved to Chicopee, Massachusetts where they made their home until 1890. Tracy worked in the cotton mills of the Dwight Company and the Ames Manufacturing Company during this period.
In August, 1862 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, Mr. Tracy enlisted in Company A, 37th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry which was mustered into service at Pittsfield, Massachusetts on September 4, 1862. He was serving as a sergeant when he performed his first act of bravery on May 12, 1864 during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia.
His second act of bravery occurred on April 2, 1865 during the Third Battle of Petersburg, also in Virginia. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in recognition of his bravery. He was a charter member of the Otis Chapman Post 103 of the Grand Army of the Republic of Chicopee, of which he was adjutant in 1881 and commander during the three succeeding years. In 1884, he was a member of the Department Council of Administration; and, in 1891, he transferred his membership from the Chicopee Post to Abraham Lincoln Post 11 of Charlestown. He was also a member and former president of the Thirty-Seventh Massachusetts Regiment Association.
His Medal of Honor was awarded to him on November 19, 1897.
MOH CITATION:
At the risk of his own life, at Spotsylvania, 12 May 1864, assisted in carrying to a place of safety a wounded and helpless officer. On 2 April 1865, advanced with the pioneers, and, under heavy fire, assisted in removing two lines of chevaux-de-frise; was twice wounded but advanced to the third line, where he was again severely wounded, losing a leg.
BURIAL LOCATION: FAIRVIEW CEMETERY, CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.
VETERANS SECTION.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
