From Charles Campbell biography in Memorial: “None who heard the brief statement of his fixed determination, at a public meeting of his fellow-citizens on the 30th of July, 1862, and his simple invitation to others to come forward and enroll their names as volunteers, can ever forget the scene, as he led the way, followed by other young men, to the desk of the recruiting-officer. The hall, so still the moment before, now shook with bursts of (long) applause. Thus did his soldier-life begin.”

How would his wife and children get along without him? From a handwritten note by Mary Heard in the Wayland Historical Society we learn:

“William Heard (II), my uncle, was born here (Grout-Heard House) and lived in the village. He was a man of strong character and quick temper. But behind his rough manner and sharp tongue was a warm heart and ready hand to respond to every call for help and sympathy in trouble and sickness. When the Civil War broke out, he said to Mr. Charles Campbell, ‘I am too old to go, but if you will enlist, I will run your farm while you are gone.’ And he did as he had promised.”