A bayonet through the face, a saber to the head, and a misfired musket at point-blank range couldn't stop Charles G. Gould from becoming one of the first Union soldiers over the Confederate works at Petersburg.
Charles G. Gould
Charles Gilbert Gould, born on May 5, 1845, in Windham County, Vermont, overcame early adversity to become a distinguished Union Army officer during the American Civil War. At the age of two, he suffered severe burns from a boiling pot of applesauce, delaying his ability to walk until he was six. Despite this challenging start, Gould displayed resilience and determination throughout his life.
In 1861, as the Civil War erupted, Gould was eager to serve. Against his parents' wishes, he walked 20 miles to enlist, convincing recruiters he was of age. He joined the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming captain of Company H in the 5th Vermont Volunteer Infantry by late 1864.
The sword Gould carried into the Confederate fortifications (seen in the painting opposite). He dropped his pistol prior to the charge. It was later found and is in the collection of Pamplin Historical Park.
Gould's most notable act of bravery occurred on April 2, 1865, during the Union assault on Petersburg, Virginia. Leading his company through challenging terrain, he found himself isolated as he breached the Confederate defenses. Engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat, Gould sustained multiple injuries, including a bayonet wound through his mouth and a saber cut to his head. Despite these wounds, he killed his assailant and continued fighting until reinforcements arrived. His actions were pivotal in breaking the Confederate line, contributing significantly to the Union's victory at Petersburg. Notably, during this assault, a Confederate soldier aimed and attempted to fire his musket directly at Gould's chest; however, the weapon misfired, sparing Gould's life. For his extraordinary heroism, Gould was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 30, 1890, his citation noting that he was “among the first to mount the enemy’s works.”
“The wound in my back is nothing at all as it hit the backbone and stopped. The cut on my head is very slight and in fact all my wounds are.”
After the war, Gould was brevetted to the rank of major and became a companion of the Vermont Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He pursued a career in public service, accepting a clerkship with the Pension Office in Washington, D.C., in January 1866. By 1871, he became the chief clerk in the office of the Water Registrar for the District of Columbia. In 1874, due to health concerns, Gould resigned and spent a year in the office of the Secretary of War before being appointed to the U.S. Patent Office, where he was promoted to principal examiner in July 1884.
Charles Gould’s Medal of Honor, awarded July 30, 1890.
Gould's personal experiences in battle influenced his inventive pursuits. Recalling the misfired musket that nearly cost him his life at Petersburg, and perhaps some personal hunting frustrations, he sought to address firearm reliability. In September 1873, he applied for a patent for an "improvement in gun-cleaners," aiming to provide a suitable and convenient swab for gun barrels to prevent misfires caused by fouling. His invention consisted of a device designed to securely hold a sponge or similar absorbent material, which could be attached to a cleaning rod. This innovation highlighted Gould's commitment to enhancing firearm safety and functionality.
Gould returned to Vermont, where he lived until his death on December 5, 1916, at the age of 71. He was laid to rest in Windham Center Cemetery in Windham, Vermont. Gould's legacy endures into the 21st century. A wayside marker along Petersburg's Breakthrough Trail commemorates his valor, and a painting in the Battlefield Visitor Center at Petersburg depicts his courageous ascent over the Confederate works. These tributes serve as enduring reminders of Gould's bravery and his significant contributions to American history.
“Among the first to mount the enemy's works in the assault, he received a serious bayonet wound in the face, was struck several times with clubbed muskets, but bravely stood his ground, and with his sword killed the man who had bayoneted him.”
Charles Gould's MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION