Charles H. McConnell was born in Ireland sometime around 1841. His family emigrated to the United States, probably as a result on the great potato famine. According to O. B. Curtis, Charles was a printer by profession.
Charles H. McConnell enlisted in Company B on July 24, 1862 at Detroit. He was 21. He was mustered into service on August 13, 1862.
The young man was very capable and rose through the ranks. He was appointed 4th Corporal on August 14, 1862. In the wake of the horrible casualties at Gettysburg in July 1863, Charles was appointed 5th Sergeant and Color Sergeant on September 1, 1863.
He was on Recruiting service in Michigan from March 21 to approximately May 1, 1864. While he was gone, some else was appointed to carry the colors. Upon his return, he became the Regimental Commissary Sergeant on April 22, 1864.
Becoming a member of the Regimental Staff may have saved his life. Commissary Sergeant was certainly a much safer position than Color Sergeant.
Charles H. McConnell mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865.
His post war life is unclear. He moved to Chicago where he reportedly made and lost several fortunes. He seems to have been quite wealthy in his latter years. Perhaps his business interests kept him too busy to join with his old comrades. He is not mentioned in any of the known Regimental Association material. He did not attend Michigan Day at Gettysburg.
In later life he did become very proud of his wartime service. He
joined the Grand Army of the Republic and held high office
in the organization. The photograph above shows him in his G.A.R
uniform. He was one of the Illinois delegates to the committee that
organized the 50th reunion at Gettysburg in 1913. At his own expense, he
paid for a large Iron Brigade tent at the reunion, the only such tent on the
field. He was elected president of the Iron Brigade Association in 1914,
and organized a reunion at Detroit that year.
Charles McConnell was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Locust Grove. He was on the
Mud March, Port Royal and Westmoreland Expeditions, the Campaign
of Maneuvers, Mine Run and the Reconnaissance to Raccoon Ford.