Charles was born in England about 1830. His place of birth and estimated date of birth is from the 1860 Federal Census. He was married to Melissa Roberts in Florida in 1855. He was living in Key West, Monroe County, Florida in 1860. His brother in law was living next to him and his wife. His name was Jules Chabert. Jules was married to Missouri Roberts sister to Melissa in 1857.

Florida proclaimed articles of secession on 10 Jan of 1861. The news reached Key West on January 12. But Ft. Taylor a stategic fort on the southwest tip of Key West was occupied and seized by United States forces. John Brannan, Captain of the 1st U.S. Artillery, and Captain Edward Hunt, Chief of Engineers, secured Fort Taylor shortly after news of Florida’s secession reached Key West. Brannan, the ranking moved his troops under cover of night from the U.S. Army Barracks across the island to Fort Taylor. U.S. authorities declared martial law at Key West on May 10, 1861. The people of Key West that supported secession were suppressed. It was in this environment that Charles and Jules made the decision to leave for the mainland to enlist.

They left their families and had to depart at night by boat to avoid detection by the U.S. authorities. They left between May and Nov 1861.

Charles enlisted in Cpt Mulrenan's Florida Volunteer Coast Guards. His rank was Mate. This Company was organized and called into the State of Florida by Special Order No. 2, issued from the Adjutant General's office, Tallahassee, November 27, 1861. They were mustered by Henry Mulrenan, Captain commanding, no station or term of service is stated.

The company was sworn into state service on December 13, 1861, before Judge Augustus Steele, at Cedar Keys, Florida. Initially stationed at Tampa for a few days in mid-December, 1861, the unit took up station at

Fort Buckley, Point Pinellas on December 21, and remained in that vicinity for some time.

During its short existence, Mulrenan's Company was mainly involved in the regular duties associated with a coast guard unit, such as drills, guard duties, and observation of the coastline for enemy activities. In the latter, they regularly crewed three small, armed vessels. The sloop Cate Dale (aka Kate Dale) transported the officers as well as the six-pounder cannon and provisions between the signal stations. The Mary Jane and Mollie Post

were fourteen-oar, single-sail-rigged boats of approximately thirty feet, and each was probably mounted with a four-pounder cannon in its bow. It was not all work and no play, as their sojourn also included periods of

welcome activities, such as fishing, hunting, singing, dancing and other similar episodes. The sobriquet, Key West Avengers, was adopted by the men on January 30, 1862.

About mid-February 1862, the men of Mulrenan's Company were advised that they would be taken into Confederate Army service.

Charles and Jules made their way to Tampa and enlisted in the 7th Florida Infantry in Cpt Smith's Company K. They were both sergeants. Charles enlisted 25 April 1862 at Tampa, Florida.

He was transferred to the Confederate States Navy on 8 Aug 1862.

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The C.S.S. Chattahoochee was still under construction at Saffold Navy yard until Dec 1862. Charles was likely at Saffold or at the Arsenal Wharf at Chattahoochee, Florida until the ship was completed.

He was made Quartermaster on the ship and was on the ship when it steamed down the Apalachicola River in May of 1863.

Lt. Guthrie commanding officer of the ship learned of the capture of a schooner by the Federals and took the ship and crew down river in an attempt to recapture the vessel. The ship arrived on the 26th of May at Blountstown, Florida but could not cross the bar due to low water level. The ship was at anchor until the next day when the boilers exploded when attempting to raise steam.

Many were wounded and 16 were killed as a result.

He is on a muster roll for the C.S.S. Chattahoochee for ending 31 Mar 1863. His enlistement date is recorded

as 13 Aug 1862.

Charles wrote a letter in regards to payment for a deceased Seaman and fellow crewman named John Collins per the

administratrix, Felica Collins.

The letter is dated 11 April 1863 from Chattahoochee, Florida.

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Note: in official correspondence about the explosion incident from the commander of the Naval Station and Iron Works at Columbus, Georgia ( Berry was among those that jumped overboard and that he drowned).

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Charles H Berry