DERBY – The deteriorating gravesite monument of Col. Charles L. Russell – Derby’s first casualty of the Civil War – will get a much-needed makeover thanks to folks wanting to preserve Derby’s history.
Resident George Geer, commander of the Wooster-Russell Camp #22, Sons of Union Veterans Ansonia-Derby, recently reached his fundraising goal of $4,000 to restore the monument located in Oak Cliff Cemetery off Hawthorne Avenue.
“It feels good to get this done, and I think Col. Russell would be proud,” Geer said.
Click here for an earlier Valley Indy story on the effort.
Russell was Derby’s first casualty of the Civil War, and the first regimental commander from Connecticut to die in battle. He was only 34 years old when he was killed in 1862.
Geer launched a one-man mission last fall to raise money to restore the monument. Geer made the initial deposit out of his own pocket and was quickly met with support from his group, the Wooster-Russell Camp, to help kick off the fundraiser.
Between word of mouth, and a story that appeared in the Valley Indy in March, Geer said lots of generous individuals and groups, including local veterans’ groups and private citizens pitched in to make the restoration project a reality.
“The Valley Community Foundation put me over the top with a $1,025 donation, of which I returned $50 back to them so we had an even $4,000 for the project,” Geer said.
Geer said Nelson Architectural Restoration, based in Willington, will begin work later this summer to restore the monument to its former glory. The work should only take about three to four days to complete, Geer said.
Geer said last fall while placing flags at Derby’s military graves, he could no longer wait around and allow a local hero’s final resting place to fade into oblivion.
The 164-year-old monument has fallen prey to the elements over the years, with Russell’s name and rank no longer visible, and the dash between the year he was born and the year he died is also pretty much gone. A raised symbol in the center of the monument, which showed Russell was a member of the Masons, has also faded and there are chunks of missing marble from decades of erosion.
The monument is also slightly leaning backwards.
Geer’s wife, Rosanne, is proud of her husband’s mission.
“I’m very happy and I was really shocked that he did it,” Rosanne Geer said. “People came out of the woodwork to help us. From townspeople to friends, neighbors and complete strangers, everybody pitched in to help. A lot of people didn’t even know there was a Civil War veteran here. This project will let everyone know that Col. Charles Russell has not been forgotten.”
Thomas M. Voytek, commander of the Catholic War Veterans in Derby, which made a donation, was pleased Geer met his goal.
“Members of the CWV Post 1562 believe it is important to support any project that teaches the public about the sacrifices that our ancestors made so that we can enjoy our liberty and freedoms,” Voytek said via an email. “May God bless the USA and people like George Geer.”
Kellie Santiago, executive director of the Derby Historical Society, said the organization was also glad to support the project.
“The mission of the Derby Historical Society is to preserve, maintain and celebrate the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley,” Santiago said via an email. “Restoring and caring for our historical buildings, landmarks and monuments not only preserves our history but respects the people who made it happen.”
According to the Electronic Valley, Russell was born in Litchfield on July 25, 1828. At age 12, he moved to Derby where he began working in the tack-making trade, crafting equipment for horses.
At 17, Russell, an anti-slavery activist, became a member of the Derby Blues, a volunteer military company. He later served in the 10th Connecticut Infantry during the Civil War.
He participated in the First Battle of Bull Run and was killed on February 8, 1862, at the Battle of Roanoke Island. He was married with three children.
His seven-foot-tall monument at Oak Cliff Cemetery, crafted of marble and granite, sits at the edge of the cemetery, overlooking the Housatonic River.
Geer said a dedication ceremony will be scheduled sometime later this year.