LAST CIVIL WAR VET OF GOODHUE COUNTY DIES

Chas. A. Leach, Age 94 Years, 
Passes Away After Short Illness

With the passing of Charles A. Leach, Goodhue County [Minnesota] is left without a Civil War Veteran, as he was the sole survivor. Death came to the aged man last week Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, at St. John's hospital, Red Wing, where he had been a patient since Saturday. The first part of September the deceased started a trip to Madison, Wis., to attend a National G.A.R. convention but had to return home because of illness. He recovered, but again he became ill on his birthday, September30, and was removed to the hospital that same week. Old age complications developing into pneumonia, was the direct cause of his death. He was 94 years old on his last birthday.

Charles A. Leach was born September 30, 1843, and was 94 years old. He was born in Booneville Oneida County, New York State, the son of George & Abby Leach. He was one of 4 sons Monroe Leach, Dwight Leach, Charles and George Leach. All four sons served in the Union Army. The eldest son, Monroe Leach, died at New Orleans in Service, of typhoid fever. The fourth son, George Leach, also died in Service at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was stricken with the measles. The second son, Dwight Leach, died at Aberdeen, South Dakota, several years ago.

Charles A. Leach saw four years of service in the Civil War, having enlisted in Booneville, New York, in April 1861 in the 97th New York Infantry. He saw service in 21 major engagements with this Regiment, this Regiment being a part of the Army of the Potomac, all during the Civil War. The major engagements of his service were the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chancersville, and Gettysburg. At Gettysburg he was wounded slightly, being shot through the arm, but he did not leave his service, they were the first and second battles of the Wilderness. He was wounded the second time in the battle of North Arm River, a shell striking him in the left side dislocating two ribs, but the wound did not force him to leave his company. He was captured by the Confederate forces below Petersburg in the state of Virginia on the 18th day of August 1864 and was held prisoner at Belle Island, later being transferred to the famous Confederate War Prison at Salisbury, North Carolina. He was paroled by the Confederate forces to the Northern Army on February 22, 1865, being counted through the lines with other prisoners at Wilmington, North Carolina, on that date. The terms of the parole required that he be sent home. He lost sixty pounds during his imprisonment and weighed only 80 pounds upon his discharge.

Mr. Leach saw service under all of the Generals of the Army on the Potomac, namely; Burnside, Hooker, Meade and finally Grant.

Mr. Leach received his honorable discharge from the Union Army and came to Minnesota and arrived at Red Wing on August 18, 1865. Shortly thereafter he was married to Josie Parker. There were five children born to this marriage, the eldest being Jessie Vang of "Forest Mills, Claude Leach, now deceased, Clara Debler of Ely, Minnesota, Phillip Leach of Minneapolis and Daisy Arndt of Zumbrota. Seven grandchildren survive him, also six great-grandchildren.

He lived at Forest Mills for 65 years. He was employed in the Flour Mill as an engineer and later in the elevator buying grain.

His wife predeceased him, having passed away on the 24th day of August, 1930.

Mr. Leach was one of the Charter members of the Scofield Post her at Zumbrota, serving twice as Commander and recently being the sole survivor, serving as Commander. He was a member of the Zumbrota Commercial Club for 12 yrs. and was a member of the Woodmen Lodge.

Relatives from a distance attending the rites were Mrs. W. E. Debler of Ely, Minn., Phillip Leach and Mr.& Mrs. Ivar Skaar of Minneapolis.

A military funeral was conducted Sunday afternoon at the Zumbrota Armory at two o'clock, in charge of the American Legion Post, No. 183. The Rev. W. H. Ripon, pastor of the Congregational Church, officiated, and Mrs. A. C. Larson and Mrs. L. A. Holtan with their accompanist, Mrs. C. W. Draegert, of the Redeemer Lutheran Church, sang "The Old Rugged Cross", " No Night There" and "Abide With Me". A flag once the treasured possession of the now departed Scofield Post, Grand Army of the Republic, draped the casket.