1LT Charles Washington Grills was born in 1842 in Pulaski County, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 5 children of Charles F. and Isabella (Abney) Grills. His mother died age 36 in 1845 and his father died at about age 45 just 5-years later. In 1850 Charles and his older siblings were living with their grandmother, Elizabeth Parks (McClanahan) Abney on her farm near Mint Springs, Virginia. Valued at $1800, Charles' oldest brother John farmed it for the family. The younger children undoubtedly helped with the farm work. Another brother, Byrd, moved with some Abney cousins to Morgan County, Missouri and had built up an estate of $3912 by 1860 but he died in 1861.
Charles enlisted on 18 Apr 1861 in nearby Greenville, Virginia. This was just the day after Virginia voted to succeed from the union. He mustered with E Company 5th Virginia Infantry as the Orderly Sergeant. He was promoted shortly after being commissioned as a 1LT in the company on 23 May 1861. 1LT Grills then fought with the unit until 28 Aug 1862 at the 2nd Battle of Manassas when he was wounded in a leg. The leg had to be amputated. Evacuated to Augusta County, Virginia, near home, he died from complications arising from his wound or the treatment on 2 Oct 1862.
1LT Grills was buried in the Abney Family Cemetery near Mint Springs, Virginia.
His brother, Lycurgus Grills, served as an officer in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry commanding it after 2nd Manassas.
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