Charles Tracy enlisted on July 15, 1861, in the 2nd Northeast Regiment, Missouri Home Guards; he was promoted to captain on October 1, 1861. In February 1862 the 1st and 2nd Northeast Missouri Volunteers were consolidated to organize the 21st Missouri Infantry. Tracy was mustered in on February 1, 1862, as the regiment’s quartermaster sergeant; on April 22, 1862, he was commissioned a captain by the governor of Missouri and assigned to command of Company H.

Captain Tracy fought at the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, Tupelo Nashville and Fort Blakely. On January 25, 1865, he was promoted to major, but the promotion was revoked the same day. Tracy mustered out of the service on June 11, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11647