Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-11-06
OBI r Y.
q. ID. Rice.

Charles Bingham Rice. who died In Brattleboro At
the house OF his fAtherin-Aw, Edward Crosby, Nov.
ID, was born In North Adams, Mass, in 1888 His
father, J. N. Rice, died when the son was but Ave
years Of age and the child went live with an uncle
In East CharlemOut He came TO BratteboroA strAnR-
in 1860, and found employment with Edward Cros-
by. He gained the confidence and respect Of all
with whom he associated. He remained with Mr.
Crosby until the breaking out Of the war, vhen
ated by an innate spirit Of patriotism he enlisted In
Company q, I'D Vermont Regiment, May Is, 1861, aud
left camp with his regiment, for Washington, the fol-
lowing June. The regiment made It's hrst camp At
Brush Hill, four miles out from Alexandria, Va,
naming there until called to engage in the battle Of
Bun Run, July 2lst, 1851. Here young Rce
Verely wounded lin both legs, the right one being
broken. He was captured At Sudley Church, where
his comrades obliged to leave him. and with 9TH
wounded prisoners thrown into a freight car
aud taken to Richmond, where he was imprisoned In
the tobacco warehouse. His wounds brought him
down very low, and sickness Of an alarming nature
set in, which reduced him 70 skeleton; yet he
rallied sufficiently 10 start for Washington with other
prisoners who were to be exchanged, after conhne-
ment Of siX months In prison. He arrived there
y in February, 1862 and Mr. Crosby, hearing Of his
arrival, started for Washington At once and after
careful search among the exchanged prise ners found
him At 81. Elizabeth hospital three miles out Of the
city He was confined TO his cot but was anxious 10
return to friends In Brattleboro. MF. Crosby convey
ed him to the War Department, where furlough was
obtained, and after little rest he able TO return
TO Bratteboro, where be improved 30 much that In
few months he returned 90 the parole camp at An
napolis Nd. He obtained his discharge Nov. 10th,
1862 and returned 70 BrAttleboro, aud able
entered the office Of Z. Crosby Co. boOk-keeper
Two years later he became member Of the arm.
Mr. Rice active business man, always taking
great interest in public Affairs and in building up the
town. He was also an earnest worker In the church
aud Sunday school, for several years a deacon 10
the Congregational church here and also sunday
school superintendent. In 1865 he married Fannie
A., eldest daughter Of Edward Crosby, who with two
children survives him. He never enjoyed hrm health
after his ordeal in the Richmond prison, bat
managed to attend carefully TO business, with the
hre In village In 1869 he felt anxious 10 sec the
waste places built up and entered heartily with Mr..
Crosby into the work Of building what is known =
'Crosby Block" His courage and confidence in the
undertaking never WAned, and the success OF the
teIprss WAS me- aU1S Sge cue 70 me e1O and
lions In this a. In all other business undertakings
he ever ready to assist and encourage his senior
| partner. He continued in the arm OF Z. Crosby 4
Co until 1878, when he withdrew and engaged in the
-four and grain business in Worcester Mass but his
health not being equal TO the strain, he obliged to
abandon the business after few months and seek
southern cline, since which time be has spent his
| winters south. In 1882 he considered himself well
enough to accept the treasurershp 81 the TAiAdeQA
Ala college, and he remained at his post, dischargng
his duties AeceptAby to the trustees, until compelled
by sickness to AbAndon 1t last winter. He returned
with his family to Bratteboro the last Of June his
friends being hopeful Of his recovery until October
26th, when he was attacked with severe hemorrhAge
Of the lungs. He survived until the following Mon
day, retaining CONSEQUENCES until the very last
| ment, when he closed bis eyes upon the scenes OF
earth In his last hours he left many loving messages
| for his friends and those about him. He was nrm
believer In the Christian religion and died In the full
His funerSi took place on Wednesday afternoon at
Mr.. Crosby's residence where the closing months Of
his life were spent Rev. 4. II. Lee ofnciAted, and
large company Of citizens gathered 10 testify their
| TEEN aud respect for one whom they had known in
his lifetime a man worthy Of their love and conf
! dence. O.
las an instance Of the promptness with which, in
the Of Mr.. Rice conviction was always followed
by his action, 1t Is stated by friend, now resident
OF New York city, that when the fairly begun
aud the first call came for regular enlistment Of men
for three years service, Mr.. Rice gave his at
once and entered Immediately into the preparation Of
himself and his comrades for soldiers life His en-
listment was among those Of the hrst dozen young
from this village, and he engaged at once in squad
drill streets, leaving home afterwArd for the
! front as corporal Of Company @, I'd Vt. Vos.-RD.l