Charles Durling
by Nader Nawar
Charles W. Durling was a descendent of Ohio specifically,
Harlem township, Delaware, Ohio. His age was twenty-one when he enlisted
and he died shortly after his twenty-third birthday. He was born
on October 24th, 1840 and died November 18th, 1863. Why did he enlist?
What Regiment was he a part of. Where did he go and what did he do
with the Union army? Did his regiment play a vital role in the victory
of the war by Union forces? Was his regiment involved with the pursuit
the greatest raid in Civil War History, also know as Morgan’s Raid, which
mainly took place in Ohio? These are all questions that will be explored.
It is important to note that Corporal Charles W. Durling was probably a
student at Otterbein College however records do not indicate for sure whether
he was or not. One comes to this conclusion due to the fact that
he was buried in the Otterbein Cemetery, [which suggests] a possible relationship
between him and the school. [A diary from Durling is also located
in the college archives.] However, there are records missing from
the time he could have gone to school.
Corporal Durling was a fine man in his own right
as history reveals. During 1862, while Americans were being drafted
into the war, this young man enlisted. One can infer that he felt
a moral obligation of duty and honor to serve his country, and to "protect
Her from All Enemies foreign and Domestic." The forty fifth Regiment,Ohio
Volunteer Infantry was in their own right a Regiment that deserves to be
recognized and mentioned because their actions demonstrated unselfishness,
valor, courage and fervor to serve their country. In regards to General
John Hunt Morgan, he simply was one of the sharpest, quick-witted Calvary
Leaders of the War, bar none. He caused havoc and headache and death
several militiamen, and Regiments (Calvary and Infantry). His actions
led to the unfortunate death of Corporal Charles W. Durling, a man of greater
honor, who fought for the restoration and preservation of this great country.
Bibliography
Charles W. Durling Diary. Otterbein Room, Courtright Library,
Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio.
Reid, Whitelaw. Ohio in the War, 1861-1865: Her statesmen,
her generals, and soldiers. 2 VolsMoore, Wilstach & Baldwin,
1868.
Harper, Robert S. Ohio Handbook of the Civil War. Ohio
Historical Society, 1961.
Ramage, James A. Rebel Raider. The University Press
of Kentucky, 1986.
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