Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-10-21
COL. CUMMINGS.

The following Biographical Notice Of Lt.-Col.
CHARLES CUMMINGS was prepared by Rev. Geo.
p. TYLER and read before The Vermont Histori.
cal Society at their annual meeting at Mont
pelier, Oct. 10Th, 1891
CHARLES CUMMINGS was born Mt Rovalton. Mass,
Feb. 9th, 1921. His parents Joshua md Heph-
zebah (IIale) Cummings. They removed and settled
farm in Westminster, Mass while their children
yet quite young. Charles was the eldest of four
brothers. The Rev. Henry Cummings of Newport,
N. H., Isaac Cummings resident Physician of the
Panama Rail Road Company, and Israel, the twin
brother of the last named, who was wounded while
on picket duty during tho siege of Knoxville and died
there the day of the enemy's retreat The first
contribution by the family of a life for the country.
The subject Of this sketch pursued his ncademical
course at Westminster and subsequently commenced
the study of medicine with Dr. White Of that town.
continuing it under care of DR.. Silas Cummings of
Fitzwilliam, n. II.
He attended course Of lectures ut Castleton and
another at Woodstock. His medical Diploma bears
date of June 10th, 1s47, Signed by Benjamin r.
Palmer, President Almost Immediately he began the
practice of his profession Mt Fzwillam, remaining
there three years, when he abandoned as wholly I'M
suited to his taste.
In the summer e 1850 he removed to Brattleboro'
where he employed in various ways chiefly as an
accountant, until 1852, when he with Chas S. Prouty
published The Semi Weekly Eagle for one wear: then
during 1s53 and 1854, lie was united with B. b.
Harris in conducting The Drnttleboro ragle and Fob,
ruarv 1855. he commenced publsbipg Tho vorro,t
Phoenix. of which he continued pronrietor tiu his
death His first editorial oppeared Feb al in which
he announced himself os .indenendout in ,ot ot ,o
tics ,svmpotbizipr with the American nor,,., ,ro,
absorbed in ono idso NOR d.nosed IN rid ans,
MAR bobbv,
q, tho 9th or limo 1897 be ,norr;od MI, r,;-o
be,b r RovnoIds Of nos,or q h;cbl,. oi,ao,ad No.,
estimobIc Indy. who with two ,it,,e cbildror .on
and daughter. have now taken their pace omonc ,he
widows and orphans who have laid their most valua
bic possession on their countrys altar
In 1866 he was chosen BY the Directors, Clerk of
the Vermont State Agricultural Society in which of
fee he continued until the autumn of 1861.
His election as Clerk of the House of Representa-
tves at Montpelier in 1868, served to make him gen.
orally known IN the State and his reelection at three
subsequent sessions indicates how acceptable were his
services in that position.
He entered the army as n private in Company f.
Eleventh Regiment and was chosen 1t Lieutenant,
14th Aug, 1902 But before the regiment left the
State he was commissioned Major Of the 18th Regi-
ment of months men. This appointment proving
irregular, he was elected Lcut-Col Of the 10th Reg
ment, on the 18th Of Oct 1862. He was ordered to
Fairfax, Va, where he was employed constantly on
picket duty, in the army of Gen. llcinzeman, then
guarding Washington. For two months he was Pro-
vost Marshal at Fairfax. AT tn place he had mar
row escape from capture, when Gen. Stoughton was
surprised and taken prisoner He had fortunately
left two hours before the rebel attack.
AT Fairfax he received orders to join the army OF
the Potomac, then fastening towards Gettyshurg.-
After one of the scverest marches of the the YER
mont Brigade arrived il time to take part in the
ond days battle and share in the JOY of tine memorable
victory. The 10th Regiment pursued the retreating
enemy to the Potomac when tie time of their enlist
ment having expired il returned home.
It-Col. Cummings spent the autumn and winter Of
1868. Mt home seeking A new command and e,cor IN
90 10 the front Early in Februorv 1854 be received
orders to Join the 18th REGIMENT then for,ninc ot
Burlington where he remained until the 18th of Anri
The regiment then not being filed was or,lorei IN
leave under his command and rep,rt 70 Rurrsi6e NJ
Alexandria. In the battle OF the Wilderness durino
hand TO hand fight. in thick wood he was wound,
ed in the SCALP by minnie ball. and wos urced IN 90
10 the hospital Mt WASHINGTON. but he rcsolp,ev re
fused. making himself rs comfortable ne nossibe !,
the field hospital and in an ambulance in order 70 he
ready to render any assistance his strength wopJ o
low to the wounded men. After Il few DAVIS he re-
turned to his command and followed Grant tbropob
all the Rankings and fphtinps. with tho siro,e excon
ton of the battle Mt Spo,tsvlynna Coprt Uonse ur,
he arrived nj n nosition two miles South ros+ IF
Petersburg While ot this pont an event occurred
la may he oIloweI himself IN descrho II /. hall,
reodrul 70 remork that the let,or from, ,hi, tho c
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