Charles B. Gambee was born on April 5, 1827 in Seneca Conty, New York. Before the war he was a dry goods merchant in Bellevue, Ohio.

On September 30, 1861 he became Captain of Company A of the 55th Ohio Infantry Regiment. The On October 2, 1862 he was promoted to major, and on March 5, 1863 to lieutenant colonel. On May 8, 1863 he was promoted to colonel, and commanded the regiment at Gettysburg, where it was part of the Eleventh Corps.

Gambee was transferred to the Western Theater with the Eleventh Corps in October of 1863. He was killed on May 15, 1864 in the Battle of Resaca, Georgia.

Charles B. Gambee is buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Ohio.