161 years ago today, Captain Charles W. Canfield was killed while leading his squadron at the battle of Brandy Station.

Charles was born to Isaac W. and Deborah W. Canfield in New York City in 1835. His family later moved to New Jersey, and he received an appointment from this state to West Point. Charles attended the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1853 to April 26, 1854 before leaving to pursue a civilian career. He supported his mother and sister after his father died in January 1860.

At the war’s outbreak Charles received an appointment as a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Dragoons. He completed his initial training as a cavalry officer at Carlisle Barracks, where his previous training at West Point stood him in good stead.

In late spring of 1861, he was one of the officers selected to escort a group of 250 recruits to New Mexico to join companies of the 1st and 2nd Dragoons. When they reached Missouri, they were incorporated into Lyon’s Army of the West. The recruits were placed under the command of infantry officers since they were unmounted, and the cavalry officers were spread amongst the regular cavalry companies present with the army. Canfield made quite an impression on another young officer new to the army, Lieutenant George B. Sanford of the 1st U.S. Dragoons.

“He took a fancy to me and helped me a good deal in getting acquainted with the various unwritten laws of the service which are so hard for a beginner to acquire, for the reason that older soldiers take it for granted that you ought to know them instinctively.”

While with Lyon’s army, he briefly served with the 6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Initially appointed as a major on April 22, 1861, then lieutenant colonel on April 29th. He did not have permission to serve with a volunteer unit while still a regular lieutenant, however. Canfield resigned his volunteer commission on June 10, 1861, ten days after his promotion to first lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons.

Lieutenant Canfield commanded Company D, 1st U.S. Cavalry at the battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861 due to a shortage of officers present from that regiment. . He performed well and was commended in reports of the battle. He eventually reached the Department of New Mexico a year later, just as Companies G and I, 2nd U.S. Cavalry were ready to depart for the eastern theater to rejoin their regiment. Lieutenant Canfield took command of the squadron, which served as General Canby’s escort to Fort Leavenworth, then continued east. They reached Washington, D.C. on November 23, 1862. Canfield and his men met the newly formed Company L at Fort Albany, VA as they were drawing equipments. The three companies rejoined the regiment at Falmouth on January 13, 1863.

Captain Canfield no sooner reported to the regiment before being sent away again. He commanded the Indianapolis recruiting station for the Mounted Recruiting Service from January 15 to February 26, 1863. He was then ordered to close the station and return to take command of the newly formed Company M at Carlisle Barracks. By early March he and Company M moved to Camp East of the Capitol, where they made final preparations to join the regiment. While in camp, he requested the discharge of a 13 year old who had been recruited to the regiment and attempted to acquire a bugler who could perform the bugle calls.

After a month of rotating his troopers on picket duty with the rest of the regiment, Captain Canfield led his company during Stoneman’s Raid in May. By the following he commanded a squadron. During the fighting at Brandy Station on June 9th, he was shot through the heart while leading his men. A fellow squadron commander had this to say of his death.

“Young and brave, full of hopes for the future, and inspired with a determination to do his duty, he fell early in the action, gloriously, in the front of battle, dying a death which all soldiers, whether young or old, may well covet.”

Captain Canfield was buried in Saint Peter’s Churchyard, Morristown, New Jersey.