Charles was born on the 1st of August 1842, in Conquest , New York, and the day after his 20th birthday, he joined the 102nd Regiment US Colored Troops as a flag holder. He became a First Lieutenant with Company C on the 3rd of January 1863, and it was his actions in April of 1865 near Camden, South Carolina, that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

Hazardous service in marching through the enemy's country to bring relief to his command.

Though I am not sure when, Charles left the Army at the rank of Captain and he received the Medal of Honor on the 14th of May 1891. He was married to Ellen, with whom he had one son. Charles Luther Barrel died on the 18th of April 1914 at the age of 71, and he is buried with his parents, wife, and son in Hooker Cemetery in Wayland, Michigan.