Hero of the Week 109

Welcome back viewers

This week's hero is...

Charles Gould

Intro

Charles Gilbert Gould was born on May 5, 1845, in Windham, Vermont. When he was a child he was severely burned on his legs when hot water spilled was spilled on him. He was unable to walk properly until he was six. But despite this setback, Charles was determined to serve his country. When war broke out between the states, he answered the call to duty. Little did he know, he would play a significant role in one of the most important battles. 

Part I

By 1865, the longest siege in American history was finally coming to an end. The Union Army of the Potomac had been attempting to break through the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's trenches around the city of Petersburg ever since June 15, 1864. A series of battles had been fought around the city with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides.

Despite the heavy casualties, the tide of the war had slowly turned in the Union's favor. The Union armies and Navy had scored many important battlefield victories in Tennessee, Georgia, and the Shenandoah Valley. These coupled with President Lincoln's reelection in 1864, renewed the Union war effort and inspired many more young men to enlist and fight. On March 25, the Confederacy attempted to breakout from Petersburg by attacking a Union outpost at Fort Stedman. Although the Federal garrison was caught be surprise and initially forced to retreat, they were able to launch a successful counterattack that retook the fort.

The successful defense of Fort Stedman inspired General Grant to launch a new assault on Petersburg. Since the previous two assaults on the city had failed miserably, he chose to change tactics for this third attack. Instead of launching a direct frontal assault on the Confederate trenches in the light of day, the Union regiments would attack in the dead of night. The men who would be in the first wave were all from the 1st Vermont Infantry Brigade. And the man who would be spearheading this attack was, Captain Charles Gould.

Part II

Early in the morning of April 2, the men of Vermont Brigade crept out of their trenches. Captain Gould was in command of the 5th Vermont Infantry Regiment. Under the cover of darkness, they slowly advanced towards the Confederate line. When they approached the first enemy rifle pits, Gould ordered them to fix bayonets. He ordered a couple of soldiers to kill the Confederate sentries in the rifle pits. They did so, and the regiment continued it's advance. When they were near enough, Gould ordered them to charge.

Despite catching the Confederates by surprise, the attack quickly hit a snag. A number of unseen obstructions slowed down their advance and made them easy targets for the defenders. Just when it seemed that the attack would fail, Captain Gould ran ahead of the regiment. He drew his sword and charged directly into the Confederate trench. He was almost immediately confronted by enemy defenders. He is believed to have personally killed at least three Confederate soldiers before he was bayoneted in the left side of his face (the scar is visible above). Gould grabbed the enemy soldier's bayonet and pulled it out. He than stabbed his attacker through the neck and killed him. However, another Confederate soldier stabbed him in the back while another clubbed him in his head. 

Just when it seemed that Gould was going to be killed, his comrades burst into the trench and began to engage the Confederates. Inspired by Gould's valor and leadership, the men of the 5th Vermont overwhelmed the defenders and successfully captured the trenches. Once this line was pierced, the whole Confederate line began to break as more and more Federal soldiers poured through. 

Epilogue

For Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, the Breakthrough at Petersburg was the beginning of the end. More than 5,000 of his army was either killed or captured in the fighting. Among the dead was one of his best generals (Ambrose P. Hill). He was forced to pull what remained of his army out of Petersburg and retreat to the west. The very next day, the Union Army entered Petersburg and hours later, Richmond (the Confederate Capital). A week later the Union Army caught up and surrounded Lee at Appomattox Court House. With no hope of escaping the encirclement, General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army surrendered. 

For his incredible valor in leading his regiment into the trenches, Captain Charles Gould was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. When he returned to Vermont, he received a hero's welcome. He spent the rest of his life working to help fellow veterans and the families of those who did not return. He died on December 5, 1916. Today, Captain Gould is credited with leading the final charge that would win the American Civil War. He truly is someone to be held in high regard.

https://emergingcivilwar.com/2015/04/02/breakthrough-at-petersburg-first-man-over-the-works/

https://pamplinpark.org/the-common-soldier/

https://www.thisiswhywestand.net/single-post/2017/08/15/blood-and-fury-americas-civil-war-captain-charles-gould-at-the-battle-of-petersburg