The Early Years

Carlos William Colby, son of James Colby and Abigail Bailey Long, was born on 15 May 1837 in Merrimack, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States.

Carlos was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War, serving in Company G of the 97th Illinois Volunteer Regiment and received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on 22 May 1863.

In 1850, Carlos William (aka William C.), age thirteen, resided with his father James, the head of household and Farmer and his mother Abigail (aka Abagail) in Hopkinton, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States. Abagail managed the home and also raised Caroline. In addition, his older siblings George H., a Farmer and Sarah L. were also residents in the household.   By 1860, Carlos (aka Carls), age twenty-one, had relocated to Illinois and resided with his older brother George H., the head of household and Farmer and his sister-in-law Sarah L., who managed the home, in Township 6 Range 10, Madison, Illinois, United States.

The Civil War

Samuel's mother, Mary “Polly” Richardson Churchill died on Saturday, 18 Jan 1862 at the age of 58 years, 7 months, 3 days.

Corporal Colby would receive two promotions prior to his discharge in 1865, First Sergeant and Second Lieutenant on 1 Aug 1865 after he mustered out on 29 Jul 1865 while in an absent sick status (meaning they were unable to perform their duties due to illness or injury and were therefore not present for the final roll call or discharge).

After his discharge, Carlos became a member of GAR Post #67 (Col John Bryner) and died on 20 May 1922 in Peoria, Illinois and was interred in Crest (Cress) Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro, Illinois, United States. He received the Medal of Honor on 31 Jan 1896 for gallantry on 22 May 1863.

Civil War Engagements with the 97th Illinois Infantry Regiment (Organized: Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, United States on 16 Sep 1862; Mustered out: 29 Jul 1865):

Battle of Arkansas Post (1863), (aka Battle of Fort Hindman), 9-11 Jan 1863, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory

Battle of Port Gibson, 1 May 1863, Claiborne County, near Port Gibson, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Battle of Jackson, 14 May 1863, Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Battle of Champion Hill, (aka Champion's Hill), pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign, 16 May 1863, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Battle of Big Black River Bridge, 17 May 1863, HHinds County, Mississippi and Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Siege of Vicksburg, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Battle of Fort Blakeley, 2-9 Apr 1865, Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, Union victory, Fort Blakeley surrendered to the U.S.

First Sergeant Carlos William Colby fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault (Forlorn Hope: action of initial assulting force) at the Siege of Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi on 22 May 1863, United States, while serving with Company G, 97th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

President Grover Cleveland of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Sergeant Carlos William Colby, United States Army, on 31 Jan 1896 for gallantry in action at the during the assault (Forlorn Hope: action of initial assulting force) at the the Siege of Vicksburg, in Warren County, Mississippi United States on 22 May 1863. For gallantry in the charge of the volunteer storming party on 22 May 1863.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For gallantry in the charge of the volunteer storming party on 22 May 1863.

Later Years

Carlos married Annie Elizabeth Rowe Colby before 1870.  They had eight known children:  John Rowe Colby (1868-1869), died as an infant, Charles Wills Colby (9 Oct 1869-17 Apr 1935), James Rowe Colby (1871-1871), died as an infant, Florence May Colby Fish (4 Oct 1872-30 Sep 1938), Cora Lee “Cora L.” Colby (1875-1879), died as a child, Faye Colby (1878-15 Mar 1945), Stella Long Colby (31 Dec 1881-24 Mar 1899). Died as a teenager, Henry Hastings Colby (22 Jan 1885-20 Oct 1957).

Carlos's wife, Annie Elizabeth Rowe Colby died on Monday, 18 Dec 1899 at the age of 55 years, 0 months, 19 days. Based on when their first child was born (1868) they would have been married for over 30 years.

By 1900 Carlos, age sixty-three, the head of household and a Landlord was a widow, his wife Annie having died the year before. He resided with his family on East Nebraska Avenue in Richwoods Township, Peoria, Illinois, United States. Carlos managed the home and raised his son Henry H. In addition his adult children Charles W., a Coal Operator, Florence M., a Nurse and Carlie F., a School Teacher were also residents of the household.  Carlos was in a pension record in 1907-1933 in United States.

Carlos, age seventy-two, the head of household resided with his daughter Faye, a School Teacher at 10b Illinios Avenue in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States.^[17] By 1920 Carlos, age eighty-two, resided with his son Charles W., the head of household and a Clerk and his daughter-in-law Mamie, who managed the home at Deckman Avenue in Peoria Ward 2, Peoria, Illinois. In addition, his daughter Faye, a School Teacher was also a resident of the household.

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Death and Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Carlos William Colby died at the home of his son, Charles Colby on Friday, 19 May 1922 at the age of 85 years, 0 months, 4 days in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.

After his Civil War discharge, he moved to North Alton, Illinois until 1883, then to a farm in Buckley, Illinois and in 1900 he retired from farming and resided in Peoria. with his son Charles and family. By 1920, Carlos resided with his son Charles and family.

For the past eleven years, Carlos had been blind but managed to learn to type and weave ratan baskets. It was during the Battle of Fort Blakeley in Apr 1865 that Carlos was shot through the leg below the knee, his loss of sight is due to this injury.

Those left to mourn the loss of Carlos are his son Charles, Peoria, and Henry, Waterloo, Iowa, daughters Faye, Peoria and Mrs. W. H. Fish (Florence May Colby), Fort Worth, Texas.

First Sergeant Colby was buried on Sunday, 21 May 1922 and is commemorated and interred on at Cress Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, United States.