Col. Charles W. Tilden (1832-1914), a native of Castine, enlisted in May 1861 as first lieutenant in Co. B of the 2nd Maine Volunteers. He was soon promoted to captain. He was discharged in June 1862, promoted to lieutenant colonel.

He then was commissioned into the 16th Maine Infantry and promoted to colonel in July 1863.

He led the 16th Maine in many battles, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Appomattox. He was mustered out on June 5, 1865 in Arlington Heights, Virginia.

After the war, he returned to Castine and became a merchant, later moving to Hallowell where he was secretary and treasurer of Hallowell Granite Co.