Biography of

Russell Carpenter, Co A

(Russell Carpenter on the left)

Not much has been discovered as yet about Russell Carpenter's early life. Most of the information known is from the Civil War era and to the end of his short life. He enlisted in Company C, 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September of 1861 and was quickly elected Sergeant of that Company. He must have served with distinction and was probably marked to promotion as he was made 1st Sergeant of Company C in 1862. Following the retreat from the battlefield of Chickamauga and the subsequent siege of Chattanooga, he was made a 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Company A. The 18th Ohio did engineering duties for a good portion of 1864, but when it came time to re-enlist he did so and continued to the end of the war. He was mustered out on October 9, 1865 with the rest of his company after attaining the rank of Captain. .

It has not been confirmed yet, but it appears he may be the brother of Davis B. Carpenter, a Private in Company B, who was killed at the skirmish with Rebel troops at Davis Crossroads.

After the war, Russell married Mary Amaryllis Bower who was also called Emma. She and Russell Carpenter had three children, only one of which survived infancy. This child's name was Maude Russella Lorraine Carpenter. She was called
M. R. L. or Emarel for short. Emarel was married to Ernest Sharpe and later Curtis Freshel. Emarel had no children and her bloodline faded away.

Family stories tell that Russell died in a bridge accident in Chicago. His final resting place is unknown at this time.

(Information and the photograph graciously provided by Linda Walcroft. A big Thank You hardly seems enough.)