Background
Cpl. Charles B. Berry (c. 1841-1906) was born to John and Mary [Gilman] Berry in Tamworth, New Hampshire. In July 1862, Berry
enlisted in the 7th Independent Battery of the Massachusetts Light Infantry, which was organized in Lowell, Massachusetts.
His Battery helped put down the draft riot in New York City before being sent in September 1863 to Camp Barry in Washington
D.C., whence Berry wrote the letter to his younger sister. He was promoted to corporal before mustering out in Houston, Texas
in July 1865. He married Fannie in 1873. The couple had one child, Walter P. Berry. They lived in Lowell, where Berry worked
as a carpenter making blinds, sashes, and doors.