American Civil War casualty. Struck in the head with a bullet at Harper's Ferry. He enlisted on August 6, 1862, at Galen, Wayne County, New York, and mustered in as a private with Company D of the 111th New York Infantry. His mother, Susan, applied for a survivors pension in 1878, based on her son's death during war.

Charles was buried under a shady oak tree not far from where he died. A simple wooden marker inscribed with "This J Disbro Co, D 111 Regt" was placed at his grave by fellow soldier Manley Stacey.

Below is a segment of a letter written on October 1, 1962, by Civil War soldier Manley Stacey, who served with John Disbrow and was present when he died. The letter is sourced from the collection of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois.

"Dear Father,

I have just received your letter from Lieut Moon, and was very glad to hear again, as it is the first that I have heard form You, since, the letter by Lieut Granger, I have read the letter by Lieut Moon, but not the other I presume it will be sent on here.

You ask me about Disbro [sic], I guess I can tell you as much as any one, about him, as I stood near him when he fell, and helped bury him. It is a mistake, his being shot by one of his own Company, as after he was dead, one of our Balls were tried to put into the hole in his head, & would not go. It was a Pistol Shot from a horse Pistol, in all probability by some of the Rebel Cavaraly [sic], as we have no such arms. It is almost positive that he was shot by one of the Rebel Cavalry which attacked us in our Rear. It would be dreadful to think of his being Shot by one of his own comrades. It is universaly [sic] acknowledged that he was shot by some of the Rebel Cavalry.

He lived about 15 minutes after he was found the Sunday night of the Battle, The next morning I took a Squad of men, some of our Friends, and went down to bury him. We dug his grave, in the most retired and Shady place that we could find, right at the foot of a large Oak. We buried him, wrapped in up in his Blanket and Overcoat & Cap with the hole in it. I cut his name on a Board, like This J Disbro Co, D 111 Regt, and placed it at the head of his grave, So that he could be found, if wanted. All of us could go right to the Spot in a moment.

Disbro was Shot right over the left Eye, the Ball coming out at the Back of the Head. Disrbo was in the same Mess with me and I thought a great deal of him, as also did the other Boys, He was always kind and obliging, especialy [sic] when I was sick, offering to do any thing in his power for me. I do not know that I can tell you any thing more Except, that I knew the [Plan] of his Grave & took some little Trinkets out of his Pockets, which was sent him by Mr, Cookingham. He was always the first to do his duty, always volunteering, never having to be detailed.

American Civil War casualty. Struck in the head with a bullet at Harper's Ferry. He enlisted on August 6, 1862, at Galen, Wayne County, New York, and mustered in as a private with Company D of the 111th New York Infantry. His mother, Susan, applied for a survivors pension in 1878, based on her son's death during war.

Charles was buried under a shady oak tree not far from where he died. A simple wooden marker inscribed with "This J Disbro Co, D 111 Regt" was placed at his grave by fellow soldier Manley Stacey.

Below is a segment of a letter written on October 1, 1962, by Civil War soldier Manley Stacey, who served with John Disbrow and was present when he died. The letter is sourced from the collection of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois.

"Dear Father,

I have just received your letter from Lieut Moon, and was very glad to hear again, as it is the first that I have heard form You, since, the letter by Lieut Granger, I have read the letter by Lieut Moon, but not the other I presume it will be sent on here.

You ask me about Disbro [sic], I guess I can tell you as much as any one, about him, as I stood near him when he fell, and helped bury him. It is a mistake, his being shot by one of his own Company, as after he was dead, one of our Balls were tried to put into the hole in his head, & would not go. It was a Pistol Shot from a horse Pistol, in all probability by some of the Rebel Cavaraly [sic], as we have no such arms. It is almost positive that he was shot by one of the Rebel Cavalry which attacked us in our Rear. It would be dreadful to think of his being Shot by one of his own comrades. It is universaly [sic] acknowledged that he was shot by some of the Rebel Cavalry.

He lived about 15 minutes after he was found the Sunday night of the Battle, The next morning I took a Squad of men, some of our Friends, and went down to bury him. We dug his grave, in the most retired and Shady place that we could find, right at the foot of a large Oak. We buried him, wrapped in up in his Blanket and Overcoat & Cap with the hole in it. I cut his name on a Board, like This J Disbro Co, D 111 Regt, and placed it at the head of his grave, So that he could be found, if wanted. All of us could go right to the Spot in a moment.

Disbro was Shot right over the left Eye, the Ball coming out at the Back of the Head. Disrbo was in the same Mess with me and I thought a great deal of him, as also did the other Boys, He was always kind and obliging, especialy [sic] when I was sick, offering to do any thing in his power for me. I do not know that I can tell you any thing more Except, that I knew the [Plan] of his Grave & took some little Trinkets out of his Pockets, which was sent him by Mr, Cookingham. He was always the first to do his duty, always volunteering, never having to be detailed.