The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-09-30

Capt. Charles B. Brockway was born in
Berwick, Columbia County, April lst, 1910.
His father was shoemaker, and born in
Connecticut. While yet mere lad it be.
came evident to him that he had to make
his own way through the world. At the are
OF twelve he became a driver of boat team
on the canal, his trips extending from Pitts
ton to Baltimore, which occupation he fol-
lowed several years. except during the har-
vest when he with other boatmon aided the
neighboring farmers. Part of the winter
and the early spring he was employed in
making repairs on the canal, then belonging
to the State, tlundling his wheel. barrow
along the narrow plank, handling the pick
axe, and earning his Sl.0O per day with the
men. About this time he became a resident
in Mr. Buckalew's family, and for the first
time enjoyed the advantages of regular
school. Upon Mr.. Buckalews departure for
Paraguay in 1884 to exchange ratification of
treaty between the United States and that
country,young Brockway resumed his former
occupation Of boating. Soon after, the canal
authorities employed him in the responsible re
and laborious position of Weigh Master, at
Beach Haven, where his father then resided,
and frequently the duty Of weighing all the
boats, both night and day fell upon him.
Upon Mr.. BucSalew's return from South
America he rejoined his family, where he
remained until the spring of 1853, when he
entered the employ of Mr.. Beach, at Beach
Haven, as a clerk In January 1858, he
was appointed Chief Clerk in the Attorney
Generals Office at Harrisburg, which posi-
ton he held until the close of the Legislative
session, Soon after Mr.. Buckalew was ap-
pointed Minister Resident at Quito, Ecuador
and Capt Brockway accompanied him as his
Private Secretary, and remained a sufficient
length Of time in Ecuador to acquire the
Spanish language, to learn the manners and
customs Of the people, and become acquaint-
ed with the physical features of the country.
In August, 1859, he returned home, and
that winter taught school in southern I.u-
zerne. In April, 1860, he returned to
Bloomshurg and commenced reading law
with L. II. Little Esq, then District Attor-
ncy The winter of that year he taught
school in Bloomsbury Actively participat-
ed in the campaign of that year, speaking in
almost every township in the county. In
1851 upon the breaking out of the war, he
was the first man to enlist in the ranks from
Bloomsbury He was soon after appointed
Il Sergeant in the "Iron Guards" (Co. "a"
9th 7, Il. V. o. Preftming the Artillery
he enlisted for three years as a Private in
Battery +, lst Pa. Light Artillery, then
commanded by Capt. Matthews, and after
wards by COL Ricketts,. In this organization
he soon became a sergeant. The Battery
was at first attached to the Reserve Corps at
Tenallytown, but soon after was detached,
and ordered to Bank command at Darnes-
town, Md. Here a section of Parrott guns
was added to the Battery, and Immediately
after it was ordered to Wilamsport, Nd,
then threatened by the enemy. Capt. Mat
thews being short Of officers, and believing
vacancy existed by reason of Lieut.. Mcconk-
ey's having been appointed aide to Gen. Nc !
Call, applied to Gov. Curtin for an order for
election to fill the vacancy which was made
Capt. Brockway was unanimously elected, |
and at once took command of the section |
then the only Light Artillery on the Poto-
mac between Harper's Ferry and Cumber-
land. The duties were incessant, not only
because Of the long line to be held, but
because Of the frequent efforts of the enemy
to cross. 1t having been reported one night
that the enemy were about to cross at Han
cock, Capt, Brockway made forced march |
there of twenty-seven miles, in one night
and succeeded in checking the enemy before
the infantry could arrive. Bates History of
the Pennsylvania Volunteers in reference to
this trip says
"A slight skirmish ensued in which the
great accuracy of the rihed pieces was dem
onstrated, several men and horses being kill
ed and wounded, by the first she'll discharged.
A few days later it was reported that the
enemy were destroying the railroad in that
vicinity, and Lieut., Brockway was ordered
% mask one of his pieces and open upon the
party. The first shot struck the engine em-
ployed, and the second bnrst among the men,
iilling five and wounding twelve others"
In February, 1862 question having aris-
IN in the Adjutant Generals office at Wash
ngton, in regard to whether the vacancy of
First Lieutenant had really existed in the
Battery, Capt Brockway Immediately re-
signed his commission, but instead of return
ng home, promptly took his place in the
ranks, by the side of the men he had before
Soon, however, he was again