OVITT, Edward Daniel

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Notes:

It's curious that he has a (supposed) half-brother also named Edward (Edgar) born out of wedlock with another woman around the same time. (See Edward Ovitt (Eldred).

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• Milit-Beg: 11 Sep 1862, VT; Co. G. 13th VT Infantry
• Milit-End: 21 Jul 1863, Brattleboro, VT

Notes:

This comrade was one of the choice men of Company G. To know him was to love him. His royal good fellowship, his overflowing good cheer, his pleasant address, won all his comrades. He combined marked business ability with intense activity which won him success. Few got on in life better than he. He was quick to help a comrade whose necessities were greater than his. He sought them out and relieved them. As a soldier whatever duty was assigned him he did well and at Gettysburg he won the admiration of all his comrades by his unflinching courage and zeal. Nobody could question his patriotism. When duty called he did not shrink at sacrifice. He left his wife and children and a business that demanded his presence to succeed and entered the ranks with no ambition beyond serving faithfully his country. He had however, no strong hope that the Union armies would succeed in crushing out the rebellion. He would often remark, "The rebellion will never be put down by fighting." His sister and his brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Wells of Hutchinson Kan., have furnished me the following facts. Charles F. Ovitt, son of Daniel Ovitt and Bazy Fox, was born in Fairfield, Vt. November 12th, 1828. He learned industry and economy and acquired steady habits on his father's farm. But the farm did not content him. With a good business education he entered the mercantile life and began business in Bakersfield before the war, January 1, 1854, he married Matilda E. Foster. The fruit of their happy marriage were three children, Charles L., Eddie D., and Wesley Ray. Eddie died in early childhood. On retiring from the war he resumed work as merchant in Bakers field. His army comrade, H. H. Wells, was for a time associated with him. After a few years he left Bakersfield and settled in West Enosburg. Here he kept a store and ran a grist mill. Here he spent the rest of his life and accumulated a handsome property. He died at his home June 20th, 1887, after a long and painful illness from a complication of diseases contracted while in the army, yet he never asked for a pension and often said there were many others that needed it more than he. His wife and two sons still survive him. His sons are every way worthy such a parentage and training as they enjoyed. They are successful and respected business men in Enosburg and worthy members of the church. Charles is owner and manager of the telephone at Enosburg Falls and lives there; Wesley has inherited the mill and store of his father; both are married. Mrs. Ovitt still resides at West Enosburg with and near her children, enjoying a serene old age, happy in the memory of "ideal husband and father, a perfect moral character and a devoted Christian." Our Comrade's life long friend, W. O. Brigham, says of him, "I am intimately acquainted with him and prized him very highly. I usually tented with him and marched in the same rank. He was fearless in battle, generous and kind to all in need of help, ready to divide the last crust with those in need, but he had no patience with those who sought to shirk duty." His keen sense of justice was illustrated in this incident: "In one of our regimental drills early in our service, we were thrown into confusion and our guns were not in line. The commanding officer became very angry and cursed and swore at us and declared "we hadn't brains enough to make a monkey of." Ovitt was very indignant at such treatment. He determined to beard the lion in his den. He sought out the officer and told him, "The soldiers were not accustomed to such treatment at home" and in strong terms expressed his disapproval. The officer saw his mistake and apologized. "On the third day when Pickett began his charge we were ordered to move forward and lie down behind some rail breastwork which we had previously built and in this protected place load and fire, lying down. Charles was the first to jump to his feet and said, 'Boys, we are here to whip the rebels, so let's go about it.' He stood erect, loading and firing. Inspired by his example the whole company without command sprang to their feet and poured a deadly fire into the enemy's flank." Comrade Wells gives this incident: "After the enemy had surrendered, Colonel Randall called on 20 volunteers from the regiment to go and take in the prisoners. This was dangerous work for after the charge of the enemy failed the rebels opened upon us with their artillery. Ovitt was the first to volunteer. I was second, and 12 of us went and gathered them up. Upon this the Colonel ordered the 2nd Company to guard the prisoners to the rear. Upon that Lieutenant Searles of Company I ordered his company to go. Then I said, 'Your company does not happen to be the 2nd Company to-day.' Then Lieutenant Searles asked the colonel which company, by letter, he meant. He replied, 'Company G are the ones that took the prisoners.' Finally the honors were shared by both companies." In early life Charles joined the Methodist Episcopal church and continued an active and constant member till his death. Thus far his children have followed his example. Source: History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers

Charles married FOSTER, Matilda Esta on 1 Jan 1853 in Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Matilda (daughter of FOSTER, Simeon and FOSS, Phoebe) was born on 29 Nov 1826 in Swanton, VT; died on 1 Jul 1916 in Enosburg, VT; was buried in Bakersfield, VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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FindaGrave:
GRID=95490156

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Daniel married FOX, Bazy Wallin in CA 1823. Bazy was born in 1792 in New Hartford, CT; died on 3 May 1841 in Fairfield, VT; was buried in Fairfield, VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Simeon married FOSS, Phoebe. Phoebe was born in CA 1800 in VT; died on 16 Aug 1869 in Saint Albans, VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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