| The Last Roll Call
Charles F. may, 55, a musician of considerable more than local renown, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Martha H. Russell, 130 Central street, with whom he boarded, Sunday morning, after a long and painful illness caused by gall stones. Deceased was a veteran of the late war and a member of Post 53, G. A. R. He entered the service at Camp Scott, Worcester, July 30, 1861. as a private of Co. A, 15th regiment Mass. infantry, and was discharged, Dec. 21, 1863, by reason of a re-enlistment as a veteran volunteer, on the same date. He was transferred to Co. G, 20th regiment and received his final discharge, July 16, 1865. He was wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 11, 1864, and became an inmate of the Lincoln general hospital at Washington. Among the engagements in which he participated were those at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Spottsylvania, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Gettysburg, distinguishing himself for valiant service at the last named battle. Mr. May was a natural musician and although one of the best performers on the violin in this section, his ability to read music was limited. Many a veteran can testify to the comfort they have received in and out of camp from the music he knew how to extract from his favorite violin, and since the war hardly a person within a radius of 20 miles of Leominster who indulges in dancing but has done so at one time or another to music furnished by Charlie May. A veteran remarked to this writer, Sunday, "The regimental reunions of the old 15th were never complete unless Comrad May ... fiddle. Mr. May attended the second inauguration of President Lincoln and also witnessed his assination, being in attendance at Ford's theater, Washington, at the time that deed was committed. He leaves one son, William F. May, besides the sister above mentioned. The funeral will be held Tuesday. |