Ancestors In a Little Blue and a Lot of Gray

The Cole Brothers: Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Hamblin Cole and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Granderson Cole, my 3rd Great Granduncles

2021-08-01T20:35:00.014-04:00

Colonel Robert Granderson Cole

The Cole brothers were born in Manchester, Chesterfield, Virginia. Their sister, Sarah A. Cole is my 3rd great grandmother. Their father, George W. Cole was a veteran of the War of 1812. Their grandfather, Hamblin Cole was a patriot in the American Revolution. Their mother, Caroline Wooldridge's family owned and operated the Midlothian Coalmines in Virginia from as early on as 1730. Coming from good stock, the Cole brothers were destined for success.

Archibald "Archie" Hamblin Cole was born in Manchester, Chesterfield, Virginia on January 30, 1812. Not much is know about his early years. By 1830, he had relocated to Anderson, South Carolina where is is listed in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census. Sometime after 1840, he made his way to the Florida territory. In the early 1840's, Archie lived in Duval, Florida with a prominent mixed race woman named Susan Clarke. Archie and Susan had two children together, Mary Laura Cole born in 1842 and John Henry Cole born in 1846. Archie and Susan separated sometime after the birth of John Henry. By 1848, he had acquired property in Putnam County, Florida. On May 15, 1848, Archibald married Annie Lamar Mays. Archie and Annie also had two children together, Sarah Cole born in 1854 and Archibald Wooldridge Cole, who was born in 1859 and sadly died in 1861. Archie was a founding member of the original Florida Historical Society, started by Benjamin A. Putnam in 1856.

Prior to the Civil War, he owned and operated a large citrus plantation in Orange Mills. In 1850, he had as many as 50 enslaved workers on his plantation. He and a man named John Reardon had also opened a general store in Fort King, Florida and made it into a post office. Archie was also an investor in the Florida Railroad Company. In 1859, Archie helped establish the Bank of Commerce at Fernandina. He is listed as on of the three original commissioners of the bank. He was also the bank's first president.

1860 $5 Bank Note Signed By President A.H. Cole

On January 10, 1861, The State of Florida officially seceded from the United States. They were officially admitted to the Confederate States of America on April 22, 1861. Archibald's ties to Florida and Virginia caused him to cast his lot in with the Confederates. He made his way to Virginia where he placed his services in the hands of General Joseph. E. Johnston. His first duties were acting as a Volunteer Aide-de-Camp where he acted as Quartermaster during the Battle of First Manassas. He entered the Confederate Army with the rank of Major. Shortly after this, he was promoted to Inspector of Transportation of the Army of Northern Virginia. When Johnston took a bullet to the shoulder and a shell fragment to the chest at The Battle of Seven Pines on June 1, 1862, command of the Army of Northern Virginia was passed to Robert. E. Lee.

On May 4, 1862, Major Archibald H. Cole wrote an order to Captain W. S. Wood requesting eight artillery horses for the Stuart Horse Artillery.

Letter from Major Cole to Captain Wood

General Orders No. 76 showing Archie's promotion

Archie continued to perform Inspector of Transportation duties for Lee until October 17, 1862 when he was promoted to Chief Inspector General of Field Transportation for all of the Confederate Armies. In this role he would be responsible for recruiting, buying, and recuperating horses. Archie was based out of the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Archie immediately tried to purchase 1,000 horses from Texas. By March of 1863 only about 700 had been obtained and they were still located in Louisiana. Horses were in short supply. In December of 1862, Lee wrote Confederate Secretary of War James A. Seddon to request permission to transfer horseless cavalrymen to infantry units. Lee was not a fan of the practice of cavalry soldiers returning home on furlough to obtain new horses. He believed he should have every man in the field possible and that it would make the men in the cavalry be more careful with their mounts. Lee's army spent the winter of 1862-1863 near Fredericksburg, where lack of forage caused Lee to disburse parts of his army to the Shenandoah and parts of North Carolina to look for supplies.

Horses were in short supply and many horses continued to disappear in the south due to confiscation by the Federal and Confederate armies. On May 13, 1862, The Richmond Enquirer estimated that farmers had lost a third of their horses and mules, "thus leaving them without sufficient force to cultivate even ordinary crops." To combat the confiscations, Lee added impressments to the list of Major Cole's responsibilities. All field officers except for those of army commanders were forbidden to confiscate horses. Impressments were not popular with the locals due to the government only paying half price for the animals. The Confederate government tried to address this issue by increasing the prices offered for horses, however inflation ran higher than the increases. Between December of 1862 and February of 1864, Archie was only able to collect 4,929 horses and mules from the State of Virginia. Prior to the war, Virginia boasted that she had more than 250,000 horses and mules. This was no where near Lee's request for 7,000 horses and 14,000 mules needed for the artillery and cavalry for the Army of Northern Virginia.

In April of 1863, the war came to his property at Orange Mills. The Official Records of the Civil War included a letter dated April 2, 1863 from Palatka citizen Thomas T. Russell to Confederate Brigadier General Joseph Finegan who was in command of Middle and East Florida. I've included the letter in its entirety below:

THOS. T. RUSSELL. To Brigadier General JOSEPH FINEGAN;

RESIDENCE, EAST BANK SAINT JOHN'S [RIVER],

Near Palatka, Fla., April 2, 1863.

Brigadier General JOSEPH FINEGAN:

SIR: On Monday, the 23 ultimo, a large side-wheel steamer came up the river as far as Palatka and fired four shells over the town. She then returned to Orange Mill, and lay off that place until 2 o'clock Tuesday evening, and went down the river. While at the mill the Yankees butchered a beef, killed several sheep, and took on board a Negro man named John, belonging to Mr. Frank Hernandez.

On Thursday morning a large propeller came up the river and lay off the mill until evening, when she came up opposite Palatka, abreast of the residence of Mr. Antonio Baza. A large force of Negroes was landed from the propeller at the residence of Mr. C. Dupont, and also at Orange Mill, which said force marched by land to Mr. Baza's and Mr. Sanchez's place, opposite Palatka, where they joined the force on board the propeller. This force by land visited the plantation of Colonel Dancy and caught two of his Negroes, one of which afterward escaped. They cooked and ate at this place and carried off all the

poultry. The colonel's place on the river was also ransacked by the Negroes. They also visited the plantation of Major Balling, destroying all they could, but did not succeed in getting any Negroes, as, fortunately, they had been removed a few days previous. This land force, on arriving at the residences of Messrs. Sanchez and Baza, surrounded the places, and took 3 Negroes from Mr. Morris Sanchez and other things of value from the yard. They did not succeed in catching Mr. Baza's Negroes, but took from him three horses and one cart, all of his poultry, hogs, pots, salt, and everything else they could lay their

hands upon. They also butchered two beeves in the yard. The Negroes kept the houses surrounded, and abused and insulted the women just as they pleased. They encamped that night on the banks of the river in Mr. Baza's field. On Friday morning the propeller started and proceeded slowly over to Palatka

and went up to the wharf, landed a number of men on the wharf, and was in the act of landing some artillery, when Captain J. J. Dickison and his company, who had been patiently waiting, fired into them. The propeller then, as fast as steam could carry her, backed out from the wharf, firing shell, grape, canister, and small-arms. After they fired for a while she proceeded over the river to Mr. Baza's point, and communicated with a company of Negroes that had been left over there. The company of Negroes then proceeded back by land to Orange Mill, and the propeller went back down the river and took them on board. Every vestige of furniture was taken by the Negroes from the residences of Dr.

R. G. Mays, Major E. C. Simkins [quartermaster], and Major A. H. Cole [quartermaster]. Mr. Antonio Baza was taken prisoner by the Negroes, but succeeded in making his escape. The Yankees on the way down the river again stopped at the residence of Mr. C. Dupont and demanded the Negroes who were

hid, stating if the Negroes were not immediately delivered they would burn the houses. Mrs. Dupont, who was much alarmed, accordingly delivered up the negroes, against the wishes and urgent appeals.

In a conversation with Colonel Montgomery, of the Negro regiment (I having been surrounded and taken prisoner, but afterward released), he informed me that he had come up for the purpose of permanently occupying Palatka, and that they intended restoring Florida to the Union at all hazards; that he would have a force of some 5,000 men at Palatka in a few days; that they had been acting in

a mild way all along, but that they intended now to let us feel what war actually was; that the United States marshal for Florida was along and pointed him out to me; that all the Negroes were declared free and he intended to take all he could find.

Thus you will perceive, general, what we are to expect, and had it not been for the brave and gallant conduct of Captain Dickison, his officers and men, Palatka would this day have been in possession of the Negro enemy. Captain Diskison has been one of the most untiring and energetic officers I have ever

met with. He is always on the alert, and had he sufficient force would never let the enemy land on either side of the river up here. I visited Palatka since the propeller left, and from the great quantity of blood about on the wharf and pieces of bones picked up many of the enemy evidently were killed. Every bullet fired by Captain Dickinson's men must have took effect. This company deserves the thanks of the people of Florida and the Government, for I think they have well merited the same.

Allow me, general, to suggest to you the propriety of taking some action in regard to the vast quantity of cattle on the east side of the Saint John's, as the enemy are continually butchering for the use of their troops, and as the citizens are entirely helpless to defend themselves.

All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,

THOS. T. RUSSELL

Unfortunately for the Confederates, the war contained multiple fronts where horses and mules were needed. When Braxton Bragg was defeated at the Battle of Chattanooga, Joseph E. Johnston assumed command of the Army of Tennessee. Johnston was able to address the artillery's horse shortage of 600 horses by reducing the number of horses hauling each gun to four from six. This reduced their speed and expedited their exhaustion.

Archibald Cole was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on February 2, 1864. In April of 1864, Archie proposed "to cover all the ground in Alabama and Georgia and get everything needed for the plow." Archie believed that the only way to supply Lee and Johnston's armies with fresh mounts for the spring was to reduce the transportation allowance and transfer the current stock of animals from secondary armies to the main armies in Georgia and Virginia. Unfortunately for the Confederates, this didn't happen. Johnston's lack of horses tied him to the railroad which allowed Federal Major General William Tecumsah Sherman to continually harass his flank.

By February of 1865, Archie estimated the remaining armies of the Confederacy needed 6,000 horses and 4,500 mules: "The number to be procured in the Confederate States east of the Mississippi by impressment depends on the decision which may be made as to the quantity of animals the farmers will be allowed to keep as essential to their operations. I estimate the supply to be obtained from all sources (provided I am furnished means) not to exceed 5,000 animals on this side of the Mississippi. This leaves a deficit of 5,000 to fill my estimate. If the horses are not supplied the military operations are checked and may be frustrated. If the farmers are stripped of a portion of the animals essential to the conduct of their agricultural operations there must be a corresponding reduction of supplies of food for man and horse." Archie also continued to suggest that animals might be procured from Mexico or behind Union lines. On March 31, 1865, Archie was re-assigned to the Department of Florida where he would remain until the end of the war.

Confederate Officer's Index Card for A.H. Cole

Archibald Cole returned home to Orange Mills, Putnam County, Florida . He made his oath of allegiance to the United States on May 29, 1865 and was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson on March 29, 1866.

Archibald Hamblin Cole's Presidential Pardon

Archibald Hamblin Cole lived an additional 14 years after the Civil War. At the time of his death, he was 66 years old. He died on February 3, 1879 and is buried in his second wife's family cemetery in Orange Mills, Putnam County, Florida. From the little information I have found, it appears as though this cemetery may have fallen victim to development. I found an article on putnam-fl-cemeteries.org that stated the headstones had been removed and possibly bulldozed into the river. This was according to a survey that was done in 1999. The last time the headstones were seen at their original location was sometime in the early to mid 1990's. The bodies were not removed and remain buried there. I was able to locate an old picture of Archie's headstone. Apparently the headstones were removed in the 1970's and relocated to a nearby cemetery belonging to the Braddock family. The headstones were then relocated to St. John the Evangelist Cemetery that was established in East Palatka in 1881, where they are currently located. A descendant the Mays family, Mary Murphy-Hoffmann owns the St. John the Evangelist Cemetery. She has hopes of relocating the grave markers back to the Mays-Simpkins-Cole cemetery, which is only a few miles away.

Archie Cole's Obituary

Mays-Simpkins-Cole Cemetery

Archibald Hamblin Cole's Gravestone

Here's my relationship to Archie:

Archibald Hamblin Cole 1813-1879
3rd great-granduncle

George W. Cole 1790-1846
Father of Archibald Hamblin Cole

Sarah A. Cole 1815-1887
Daughter of George W. Cole

George Patterson Vaden 1840-1892
Son of Sarah A. Cole

William Austin Vaden 1885-1916
Son of George Patterson Vaden

Robert William Vaden (Lewis) 1913-1990
Son of William Austin Vaden

Joyce Elaine Lewis 1948-
Daughter of Robert William Vaden (Lewis)

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Joyce Elaine Lewis

Robert Granderson Cole was born in Manchester, Chesterfield, Virginia on September 25, 1830. Robert grew up on his familial lands in Virginia. He enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1846. Robert graduated 37th out of 44 cadets in the Class of 1850. Following his graduation he entered the United States Army on July 1, 1850 with the rank of Brevet Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He would head to the west to begin his service. Robert's first assignment was Fort Washita in Oklahoma Territory. Here he would perform frontier duty from 1850-1851.

Fort Washita Blockhouse

Robert was next assigned to Fort Gates in Coryell County, Texas. Fort Gates has been established in 1849 on the Military Post Road between Austin and Fort Graham as a protection of the frontier against hostile Indians. Robert performed scouting duty here from 1851-1852. Fort Gates was abandoned in March of 1852 as the frontier line had advanced further west.

Marker at the Site of Fort Gates

In 1852 after the abandonment of Fort Gates, Robert was reassigned to Camp Johnston further west on the frontier. Camp Johnston was a temporary U.S. Army Camp that had been established in March of 1852 in Tom Green County, Texas. The camp was named after Captain Joseph E. Johnston, who was Chief Topographical Engineer of the Department of Texas from 1848-1853. This was a temporary camp that was established for five companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry. The camp was located on the south bank of the North Concho River near the present day town of Later Valley. It was home to some 284 troops and their families until it was abandoned on November 18, 1852.

Following the abandonment of the temporary camp, the soldiers moved to their new home at Fort Chadbourn in Bronte, Texas. Fort Chadbourn had been established in 1852 by Captain John Beardsley of the 8th U.S. Infantry. It was named for 2nd Lieutenant Theodore Lincoln Chadbourn, 8th U.S. Infantry, West Point Class of 1843 who had been killed at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma in the Mexican war on May 9, 1846. The fort's original purpose was to protect a part of the frontier trail to Sana Fe.

Officer's Barracks, Fort Chadbourn

Robert was promoted to Second Lieutenant 8th U.S. Infantry on May 25, 1862. He remained at Fort Chadbourn until 1853 when he was transferred to Fort McKavett in Menard County, Texas. Fort McKavett had been established in March of 1852 to protect frontier settlers and travelers on the Upper El Paso Road. It was first known as Camp San Saba, but was renamed for Captain Henry McKavett, who was killed at the Battle of Monterey on September 21, 1846.

Remains of a Barrack at Fort McKavett

In 1853, Robert was transferred to the Ringgold Barracks near present dat Rio Grande City, Texas. The Ringgold Barracks, later known as Fort Ringgold, was the southernmost installation of the western tier of forts that were constructed at the end of the Mexican War. The fort had been established on October 26, 1852 by two companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry. It was named after Brevet Major Samuel Ringgold who was the first U.S. Army Officer to die from wounds received in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. Robert was based out of the Ringgold Barracks from 1853-1854. In 1856, Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee visited Ringgold Barracks for court-martial duty. The house Lee stayed in has been preserved.

"Robert E. Lee House" at Ringgold Barracks

In 1854, Second Lieutenant Cole moved to Fort Davis, located in present day Jeff Davis County, Texas. Fort Davis had been established on the order of General Persifor F. Smith on October 23, 1854. It was named after then Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. The fort was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road. The fort was originally garrisoned by Lieutenant Colonel Washington Seawell and six companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry. The fort was home to over 400 officers and enlisted men. Cole performed scouting duty out of Fort Davis from 1854-1855.

Map of Fort Davis, 1856

Robert was promoted to First Lieutenant, 8th U.S. Infantry on September 4, 1855. He was transferred to Fort Bliss, which was located on the absolute western part of Texas. Fort Bliss had been established on November 7, 1846 by General Orders #58 as Post at El Paso in present day El Paso, Texas. The fort was first garrisoned by Brevet Major Jefferson Van Horn and was home to six companies of the 3rd U.S. Infantry. The fort was renamed for Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William Wallace Smith Bliss in 1854. Robert performed scouting duty out of Fort Bliss from 1856-1857 and Fort Davis in 1857.

Recreation of Old Fort Bliss

Robert performed recruiting services in 1858-1859. He was assigned to duty performing a Coast Survey from May 19, 1859 through January of 1861. On January 28, 1861, First Lieutenant Robert Granderson Cole tendered his resignation to the United States Army.

On February 23, 1861, First Lieutenant Robert Granderson Cole wrote the following letter to Jefferson Davis:

Montgomery, Ala

Feb 23 1861

His Excellency

The President of The Confederate States of America

Sir,

I have the honor respectfully to apply for an appointment in the Army of the Confederate States of America. I graduated at West Point in 1850. Have been a First Lieutenant since 1855. Nearly the whole of my eleven year service has been with my Company on the frontier of Texas.

I have the honor to be with great respect

Your obedient servant,

Robert G. Cole

First Lieutenant, 8th US Infantry

Letter from Robert G. Cole to Jefferson Davis

In March 16, 1861, he was commissioned as a Captain of Infantry on the staff of Brigadier General Robert Seldon Garnett. Garnet had served the U.S. army in the Mexican War and the Seminole Wars in Florida. In 1849, while stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, he designed the Great Seal of California. He resigned his commission in April of 1861 and became Adjutant General of the Virginia troops, under Robert E. Lee.

Robert Selden Garnett

In June of 1861, Garnett was promoted to Brigadier General. Garnett's promotion was also good for Cole. On June 18, 1861 Robert Granderson Cole was promoted to Major. At the beginning of the Civil War, Federal forces crossed the Ohio River and seized a portion of northwestern Virginia (now West Virginia). On June 15, Robert E. Lee assigned Garnett to reorganize the Confederate forces in the area. He deployed his forces at strategic points along the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike in hopes to defend the vital supply line. A series of small skirmishes occurred and forced the Confederates to withdraw under pressure from George B. McClellan's Federals.

Garnett's forces were defeated at the Battle of Rich Mountain on July 11, 1861. Following the loss, Garnett withdrew from his Laurel Hill trenches under cover of darkness, in hopes to escape to northern Virginia with his 4,500 men. He redirected his withdrawal after receiving false reports that his escape route to Beverly was blocked by Federal troops. He instead marched northeast and was pursued by as many as 20,000 Union troops. While direction his rear guard in a delaying action at Corrick's Fordm Garnett was shot and killed by a Union volley.

Garnett's death resulted in Cole being transferred to the staff of Brigadier General William Wing Loring on August 6, 1861. Cole remained in this position until December 24, 1862 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and placed in charge of the Subsistence Department on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston. On July 5, 1862, Robert was promoted Chief Commissary Officer for the Army of Northern Virginia. He would remain on Robert. E. Lee's staff through the surrender at Appomattox.

Robert E. Lee and His Staff, Lt. Col. R.G. Cole is No. 2

The position of Chief Commissary Officer was not a glamourous one. He would never gain glory on the field of battle. Instead he would labor continuously to keep 65,000 men and horses fed. Lieutenant Colonel Cole pressed on despite the shaky infrastructure of the new Confederate States of America. A Federal Naval blockade and multiple Union armies squeezing in on all sides only further complicated his job. Persistent shortages in food, clothing and horses plagued Lee's army.

On May 29, 1863, in accordance with an Act of Confederate Congress, General Orders No. 70 officially abolished the office of Regimental Commissary. Duties of the Regimental Commissary officer now fell to the Regiment's Quartermaster. Thankfully a Commissary Sergeant could be retained to assist the already busy Quartermaster. The "best qualified Regimental Commissary" of the brigade was also allowed to become an assistant to the Brigade Commissary Officer. Roughly a forth of the Regimental Commissary Officers were guaranteed a new assignment within their department. The rest of the men would either be reassigned or dropped from the rolls at the earliest date possible. The deadline for reassignment was July 31, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel Cole immediately pushed back. On June 1, he fired off a letter to the Adjutant Inspector General Lieutenant Colonel S. Cooper, requesting the order to be modified to allow cavalry Regiments to retain their Assistant Commissary Officer since they frequently conducted independent operations. Cole saw no issue with an additional assistant for the Brigade's Commissary Officer, however he requested each Corps and Division Commissary to be allowed to have two such assistants. He painstakingly identified a list of fifty two Regimental Assistant Commissary Officers who should be retained and reassigned to later positions. Cole's proposal would create several additional positions for former Regimental Commissary Officers. Robert E. Lee congratulated Cole after the Gettysburg campaign for this ability to provide the army with flour during the incursion into the north..

Another problem Cole faced was politics. The Confederacy's Commissary General and long time friend of Jefferson Davis, Colonel Lucius B. Northrop was stingy and at times uncooperative at best. A letter from Cole to Northrop date November 30, 1864 states:

Colonel,

I find that much complaint is arising upon the subject of the bread ration. It is generally thought to be too small & now especially as the season for vegetables is over. Is is alleged also that much dissatisfaction leading to desertion among the men is increasing. I had a conversation with General Lee upon the subject today and he is very desirous that the ration of Meal, especially, be increased. From what I can learn myself I think this is advisable if within the limits of our ability to keep up the supply. General Lee requested me to write to you upon this subject and I take the liberty to urge some increase if practicable.

I am Col. very respectfully your obedient servant,

R. G. Cole

Lt. Col.

Northrop provided no help. He congratulated himself for having lowered the bred ration a few months prior. Had he not done so, he asserted, Lee's army would have been starving. The Army of Northern Virginia continued to face supply problems. By February of 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Cole observed "there was no meat to be had for the men still under siege at Petersburg." In just a few short months, the war would be over. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Granderson Cole surrendered with Robert E. Lee at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. His parole read as follows:

We, the undersigned Prisoners of War, belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, having been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, C. S. A., Commanding said Army, to Lieutenant General U.S. Grant, Commanding Armies of the United States, do hereby give our solemn parole of honor that we will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in any military capacity whatever, against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged, in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities.

Confederate Officer's Index Card for R.G. Cole

Following the Civil War, Robert moved to Palatka, Florida where he helped run the citrus plantation with his brother Archie. He also maintained a business in Savannah, Georgia. He also continued his friendship with Robert E. Lee. As Lee's health began to fail in the winter and spring of 1870, he was persuaded to take a trip to the deep South. Lee made the trip with his daughter, Agnes. He wrote a letter to his wife on April 18, 1870 stating:

I returned from Florida Sunday, April 16th, having had a very pleasant trip as far as Palatka on the St. Johns. We visited Cumberland Island, and Agnes decorated my father's grave with beautiful fresh flowers. I presume it is the last time that I shall be able to pay to it my tribute of respect. The cemetery is unharmed and the grave is in good order, although the house at Dungeness has been burned and the island devastated. Mr. Nightengale, the present proprietor, accompanied me from Brunswick. We spent a night at Col. Cole's, a beautiful place near Palatka and ate oranges from the trees. We passed some other beautiful places on the river but could not stop at any place but Jacksonville, where we remained from 4 P.M. to 3 A.M. next morning, rode over the town and were hospitably entertained by Col. Sanderson. The climate was delightful. the fish inviting and abundant.

The Cole home that Lee visited in 1870, was one the east bank of the St. John's several miles south of Federal Point, at Orange Mills. It was the pre-Civil War home of Col. Cole's brother, Archibald H. Cole.

The Palatka Herald of April 20, 1870 wrote:

General Lee paid our county a visit on the last trip of the Nick King. He spent the night with Colonel Cole at Orange Mills. Our citizens would have been glad to have had the honor of his presence, but in this they were disappointed. Whether here, or in Virginia, General Lee will live in the hearts of his countrymen.

Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Virginia on October 12, 1870. He was mourned by all of his countrymen. Robert Granderson Cole was among the many who donated to have the Recumbent Statue of General Robert E. Lee placed at Lee Chapel in Lexington. Cole's donation of $100 in 1879 was a considerable amount of money at the time.

Recumbent Statue of Robert E. Lee, Lee Chapel, Lexington

Robert Granderson Cole lived an additional 22 years following the end of the Civil War. He never married. He was 57 years old when he died. Cole died in Savannah, Georgia on November 7, 1887. He is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery.

Robert Granderson Cole's Obituary

Robert Granderson Cole's Tombstone

Here's my relationship to Robert:

Robert Granderson Cole 1830-1887
3rd great-granduncle

George W. Cole 1790-1846
Father of Robert Granderson Cole

Sarah A. Cole 1815-1887
Daughter of George W. Cole

George Patterson Vaden 1840-1892
Son of Sarah A. Cole

William Austin Vaden 1885-1916
Son of George Patterson Vaden

Robert William Vaden (Lewis) 1913-1990
Son of William Austin Vaden

Joyce Elaine Lewis 1948-
Daughter of Robert William Vaden (Lewis)

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Joyce Elaine Lewis

Chandler Cox Yonge

Archie and Robert's sister, Julia A. Cole was married to Major Chandler Cox "C.C." Yonge who also served as a Quartermaster during the Civil War. Chandler Cox Yonge was born on October 3, 1818 in Fernandina, Florida when it was still a Spanish possession. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated in the class of 1833. Following his graduation, he practiced law in Pensacola, Florida. In 1838, C. C. served as an assistant secretary for the first Florida Constitutional Convention. He served on the first Florida Senate and helped write early Florida law. In 1845, President James K. Polk appointed C.C. to the office of District Attorney for Florida. Yonge held this position under Presidents Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. He married Julia A. Cole on May 18, 1848 in Madison, Florida. When Florida seceded from the Union in January of 1861, C.C. initially served as District Attorney for the Confederacy. He served in this capacity through August of 1863. In August of 1863, Yonge attained the rank of Major and served the Confederacy as a Quartermaster through the end of the war. His headquarters were in Tallahassee.

Chandler Cox "C.C." Yonge lived an additional 24 years following the end of the Civil War. He was 70 years old at the time of his death. He died in Pensacola, Florida on February 17, 1889. He and his wife, Julia are buried in the Saint Michael's Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

Julia Cole Yonge and C.C. Yonge With Their Family

Julia A. Cole was born in Manchester, Chesterfield, Virginia on June 30 1832. She met her future husband in Orange Mills, Florida at the home of her brother, Archibald Hamblin Cole. Julia and C.C. had six children. They were the parents of Philip Keyes Yonge, who was a successful career in the lumber industry in Florida. Julia was 78 years old at the time of her death. She died in Pensacola, Florida on September 17, 1910

Graves of C.C. Yonge and Julia Cole Yonge

The Confederate Army of Manhattan's Plot to Burn New York & The Execution of Captain Robert Cobb Kennedy, My 5th Cousin 6x Removed

2014-06-25T22:48:00.002-04:00

Captain Robert Cobb Kennedy

By the summer of 1864, there were factions in both the North and South who had grown weary of the war and were eager for peace. The re-election of Abraham Lincoln was in doubt. Forces in the Confederate Government hoped to seize an opportunity in the North to create widespread panic on the scale of the New York City Draft Riots of the previous year. Jefferson Davis now aimed to create a second war front behind Northern lines. A vocal group of anti-Lincoln Democrats in the North, known as Copperheads, opposed the Civil War and wanted to make a peace settlement with the South. Jefferson Davis had received word through secret coded letters that nearly as many as 500,000 Copperheads were waiting in Northern states for someone to help form them into an army. Davis hoped to plant enough seeds amongst the Copperheads to inflict serious damage to the North from the inside.

Jacob Thompson

Davis ordered Jacob Thompson to lead a delegation of Confederate operatives to Canada where they would organize anti-Union plots. Thompson had resigned as the United States Secretary of the Interior at the outbreak of the Civil War and had previously served as Inspector General of the Confederate States Army. In Canada, he would assume the leadership of the Confederate Secret Service operations in the area. The Canadian government didn't care what the Confederates did in Canada as long as no Canadian laws were violated.

In May of 1864, Thompson arrived in Montreal, Canada and began to hatch several plots against the United States. On June 13, 1864, he met with former New York Governor, Washington Hunt, at Niagara Falls and discussed forming a Northwestern Confederacy in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio (apparently those three states were said to have the largest Copperhead contingency). Thompson also received money to buy arms, which he gave to Benjamin Woods, owner of the New York Times. He also arranged the purchase of a steam ship, which he intended to arm with the purpose of harassing shipping efforts in the Great Lakes region.

In September, Thompson directed a failed plot to free Confederate prisoners of war that were being held at Johnson's Island near Sandusky, Ohio and Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Illinois. Thompson had hoped that the "Copperhead Army" would materialize and aid in this plan, but that proved to be wishful thinking. The "Copperhead Army" would in fact, never materialize. Numerically the "Copperhead Army" would have been about 5 times the size of the Union Army of the Potomac and about 8 times the size of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

Frustration began to set in for Thompson. Unable to achieve the creation of a Northwestern Confederacy and unable to raise an army of Copperheads, Thompson turned his sights on trying to disrupt the Presidential Election of 1864. The plan called for Confederate agents to cross the Canadian border and set fires on Election Day throughout Chicago, Cincinnati, Boston and New York City. His hope was to create enough fear and confusion in the city for the Copperheads to move in and seize the important buildings in the area. The original plot included plans to occupy Federal buildings and steal weapons from Federal arsenals that would be used arm their supporters. The insurgents would then raise a Confederate Flag over City Hall and declare that New York City had left the Union and had aligned itself with the Confederacy.   If successful, a scheme of this magnitude might influence Lincoln or his opponent General George B. McClellan to stop the war and sue for peace.

Meanwhile, on October 15, 1864, an editorial appeared in the Richmond Whig calling for Confederates to retaliate against Northern cities for the recent atrocities committed by Federal soldiers on hundreds of farms in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The editorial called on Confederate agents in Canada to “burn one of the chief cities of the enemy, say Boston, Philadelphia, or Cincinnati, and let its fate hang over the others as a warning of what may be done to them, if the present system of war on the part of the enemy is continued.”

Eight Confederates were selected from various Regiments who had proven to be very capable behind the lines of the enemy. The men proceeded to Canada. Entrusted with the command of the New York City operations were Lieutenant Colonel Robert Martin and Lieutenant John W. Headley, two young, but battle tested Officers who had served under famed Kentucky Cavalry General John Hunt Morgan.

Robert Martin

John W. Headley

These men had been specifically ordered from Virginia to undertake whatever operations Thompson conceived. They were joined by 6 other Confederate Officers, all who had recently escaped from various Federal Prison Camps before making their way into Canada.

Among the other 6 Confederates was my 5th cousin 6x Captain Robert Cobb Kennedy, who had recently escaped from Johnson's Island Prison Camp.

Robert Cobb Kennedy was born in Columbia, Georgia on October 25, 1835. Robert was the 2nd cousin of Confederate Major General Howell Cobb, who I've previously written about. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Alabama. Sometime before 1850, they relocated to Claiborne, Louisiana. Prior to the start of the Civil War, Robert enjoyed the life of a Louisiana Planter. He spent two years at the United States Military Academy at West Point before returning home to Louisiana. When the war broke out, he joined the ranks of 1st Louisiana Infantry as a Lieutenant. He was promptly promoted to the rank of Captain sometime before 1863.

In October of 1863, Robert was dispatched to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he served under General Joseph Wheeler. He was captured by Federal officers while on detail near Decatur, Alabama and confined to Johnson's Island Prison Camp.

Artist's rendition of Johnson's Island Prison Camp

Once confined at Johnson's Island, Robert began to boast that "he had been in half a dozen Union Prison Camps". He also began plotting his escape. Johnson's Island Prison Camp was located on a remote island about 2.5 miles outside of Sandusky, Ohio. Its location on the water provided a natural barrier on all sides. It was also constructed on limestone bedrock, which made tunneling virtually impossible. If Robert was to escape, he would have to orchestrate a masterful plan. The only way out was over the fence, but once over the fence, the icy waters of the bay proved to be another obstacle to freedom.

Using a piece of scrap wood, Robert constructed a make-shift ladder. On the night of October 4, 1864, Robert and accomplice Turk Smith carried the ladder to the wall. Smith held the ladder while Robert climbed up and over the stockade wall. Once over, he ran to a skiff that was hidden amongst the rocks and pushed off into the bay. Robert traveled east and headed along the shoreline of Lake Erie through Ohio and into New York. When he made it to Buffalo, he crossed the border into Canada and made his way to Toronto to convene with Jacob Thompson.

The "Confederate Army of Manhattan" met at the St. Dennis Hotel at Broadway and East 11th Street. There they began preparations to burn New York City. Each man was instructed to take several rooms in various hotels throughout the south side of the city.

On October 28, 1864, the Confederate agents met with James A. McMaster, editor of the Freeman's Journal, in his New York City Office. McMaster was a known New York Copperhead. The men discussed the upcoming election day plot to burn New York. McMaster’s role in the plot was to activate a secret army of 25,000 Copperhead New Yorkers who would raise the First National Flag of the Confederacy over New York City Hall once the fires had disrupted the election.

Five days before the election, New York City officials released a telegram from U.S. Secretary of State William Stewart:

“This Department has received information from the British Provinces (Canada) to the effect that there is a conspiracy on foot to set fire to the principal cities in the Northern States on the day of the Presidential election. It is my duty to communicate this information to you.”

After President Lincoln caught wind of the plan, he ensured the plot would never reach fruition by sending thousands of Federal troops into New York City to make sure the election was peaceful. On November 6th, a Federal detachment of nearly 10,000 men, commanded by Major General Benjamin "Beast” Butler arrived in New York City and anchored off Manhattan. Ferryboats filled with Infantry were stationed in the East and Hudson Rivers. Gunboats were stationed off the Battery to protect downtown and the new Central Park reservoir was closely guarded. With the city crawling with Union Soldiers, the Confederate infiltrators could only stand by and watch the parades that had been organized by supporters of Lincoln or McClellan. Election day came and went and although Lincoln didn't carry New York City, he was elected for a second term.

Pro-Lincoln Poster from the 1864 Campaign

In his memoir published in 1905, Lieutenant John W. Headley stated: "We expected to take an active part in an attempt by the Sons of Liberty to inaugurate a revolution in New York City, to be made on the day of the presidential election, November 8th. Thompson sent Martin with seven selected Confederate officers, myself included, to report for duty to the leaders. Martin was in charge of the whole thing. The plot was exposed by Northern secret service agents, and General Butler with ten thousand troops arrived, which so disconcerted the Sons of liberty that the attempt was postponed. We remained in the city awaiting events, but the situation being chaotic we had nothing to do."

Most of the Copperheads backed out of the plan, but a few of the Confederate agents stayed behind and were determined to carry out their incendiary plan. The atrocities committed by Federal troops in Atlanta under the command of General William T. Sherman and also in the Shenandoah Valley under the command of General Phil Sheridan, were too much for these men to just sit back and watch. Headley's memoir stated, "When Sherman burned Atlanta, November 15th, Martin proposed to fire New York City. This was agreed to by Thompson, and the project was finally undertaken by Martin and five others, including myself."

Aerial view of NYC looking south from St. Paul steeple. P.T. Barnum's Museum is on the far left

The men originally selected Thanksgiving Day, but ultimately settled for “Evacuation Day,” a New York holiday that celebrated the British evacuation of New York City during the Revolutionary War. Their weapons of choice were 144 small vials of "Greek Fire," a special chemical combination that looked like water but when exposed to air, after a short delay, would ignite in flames. The Confederates practiced with the vials by throwing them on boards outside a rented house in Central Park. Once the glass vials broke and the chemical compound was exposed to oxygen, flames erupted and engulfed the boards in flames.

The men were instructed to use the bed in each room, pile it with clothing, rugs, drapes, newspapers, and any other flammable items. Next, they were to empty two vials of the solution on top of the pile. In a few minutes, flames would ignite the pile. This delay would give them plenty of time to escape unnoticed before the fire started. After starting one fire, the man would then proceed to the next location and do the same. Each man would be capable of setting off several fires blocks from each other. Their targets were more than 20 business and hotels, most of them along Broadway near or around City Hall.

A map showing the targeted fires with some modern day landmarks.

The Confederates began setting their fires shortly after 7:00pm on November 25, 1864. This time was agreed upon since none of the hotel patrons would be asleep in their beds when the fires were set. Even though the men wanted to enact revenge upon the North, they did not want there to be any loss of lives in their retaliation. John W. Headley's memoir recants their actions:

"On the evening of November 25th, I went to my room in the Astor house, at twenty minutes after seven. I hung the bedclothes over the foot-board, piles chairs, drawers, and other material on the bed, stuffed newspapers into the heap, and poured a bottle of turpentine over the whole mass. I then opened a bottle of "Greek Fire" and quickly spilled it on top. It blazed instantly. I locked the door and went downstairs. Leaving the key at the office, as usual, I passed out. I did likewise at the city Hotel, Everett House, and United States Hotel. At the same time Martin operated at the Hoffman House, Fifth Avenue, St. Denis, and others. Altogether our little band fired nineteen hotels. Captain Kennedy went to Barnum's Museum and broke a bottle on the stairway, creating a panic. Lieutenant Harrington did the same at the Metropolitan Theater, and Lieutenant Ashbrook at Niblo's Garden. I threw several bottles into barges of hay, and caused the only fires, for, strange to say, nothing serious resulted from any of the hotel fires. It was not discovered until the next day, at the Astor House, that my room had been set on fire. Our reliance on "Greek Fire" was the cause of the failure. We found that it could not be depended upon as an agent for incendiary work."

Captain Kennedy's targets were the Love-Joy's Hotel, Tammany Hall, and the New England House. As a last minute thought, Kennedy decided to go into P.T. Barnum's Museum and go up to the fifth floor where he could obtain a good view of Broadway and several of the fires. After a few moments he made his way down a stairwell where he proceeded to ignite the "Greek Fire." Panic ensued, with people rushing out of the building in a frenzy, but no one was killed or seriously injured and the fire was quickly extinguished. Unfortunately for P.T. Barnum, the museum burned to the ground in another mysterious fire on July 13, 1865.

P.T. Barnum's American Museum in 1858

A full listing of all the over 35 properties damaged in the fire reads as follows: Belmont Hotel, Love-Joy's Hotel, New England House, The City Hotel, The Everett House, The United States Hotel, The Astor House, P.T Barnum's American Museum, Niblo's Garden Theatre, The Metropolitan Hotel, The LaFarge House, St. James Hotel, St. Nicholas Hotel, Tammany Hall, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, Hanford Hotel, Winter Garder Theatre, Planting Mill, Howard Hotel, The Brandreth House, Franche's Hotel, Wallack's Theatre, Collamore House, Panorama, New York Harbor, 2 Hay stacks on Moore St., Hoffman House, St. Denis, Fifth Ward Museum Hotel, Palace Garden Theatre, Albemarle Hotel, Hotel Victoria, Gilsey, The Grand, The Coleman House, The Martinique and the St. George Cricket Club.

Most of the fires fizzled out on their own or failed to ignite completely. The Confederates forgot to open the windows in any of the rooms, which robbed the flames of a steady supply of oxygen. Poor methods of practice could also have been a cause of the failure. There was some light panic spread along Broadway as word of the attack began to get out. Shouts of “Fire, Fire” coming from the LaFarge hotel disrupted the performance of Julius Caesar, starring John Wilkes Booth at the adjacent Winter Garden Theatre.

The Confederate operatives returned to their Central Park house amid word from New York citizens that this surely had been a Confederate plan. By the next morning newspapers were reporting that detectives were looking for the Rebel plotters. The men laid low until Saturday, November 28th, when they made their way to the rail depot and stealthily boarded a north-bound train bound for Buffalo, where they crossed the suspension bridge into Canada. Most of the men kept a low profile in Canada for a few weeks before returning to the South. Robert Cobb Kennedy boasted about his involvement in the burnings during several drunken rants in Canada. His loose lips coupled with a $25,000 reward led to his capture a few weeks later as he was trying to buy a train ticket in Detroit. He was confined to Fort Lafayette on Governor's Island in New York Harbor where he awaited trial.

Fort Lafayette seen from the Brooklyn shore

Since he was the only one caught, he became the poster boy for the New York City fires. Yellow journalism began to paint a very different picture of the "Southern Terrorist." The press demonized him. An article from the New York Times dated February 28, 1865 describes Kennedy as follows:

"Mr. Kennedy is a man of apparently 30 years of age, with an exceedingly unprepossessing countenance. His head is well shaped, but his brow is lowering, his eyes deep sunken and his look unsteady. Evidently a keen-witted, desperate man, he combines the cunning and the enthusiasm of a fanatic, with the lack of moral principle characteristic of many Southern Hotspurs, whose former college experiences, and most recent hotel-burning plots are somewhat familiar to our readers. Kennedy is well connected at the South, is a relative, a nephew we believe, of Howell Cobb, and was educated at the expense of the United States, at West Point, where he remained two years, leaving at that partial period of study in consequence of mental or physical inability. While there he made the acquaintance of Ex. Brig. Gen. E.W. Stoughton, who courteously proffered his services as counsel for his ancient friend in his present needy hour. During Kennedy’s confinement here, while awaiting trial, he made sundry foolish admissions, wrote several letters which have told against him, and in general did, either intentionally or indiscreetly, many things, which seem to have rendered his conviction almost a matter of entire certainty. "

Kennedy was tried in front of a Military Commission led by Federal General Fitz-Henry Warren. A former classmate at West Point, Brigadier General Edward Stoughton represented him at the trial. The proceedings began on January 17, 1865 and ended in early March. During the trial Kennedy made a full confession, but refused to name anyone else that was involved in the plot. His confession reads:

"After my escape from Johnson's Island I went to Canada, where I met a number of Confederates. They asked me if I was willing to go on an expedition. I replied, "Yes; if it is in the service of my country." They said, "It's all right", but gave no intimation of its nature, nor did I ask for any. I was then sent to New York, where I staid some time. They were eight men in our party, of whom two fled to Canada. After we had been in New York three weeks we were told that the object of the expedition was to retaliate on the North for the atrocities in the Shenandoah Valley. It was designed to set fire to the city on the night of the Presidential election, but the phosphorus was not ready and it was put off until the 25th of November. I was stopping at the Belmont House, but moved into Prince street. I set fire to four places-Barnum's Museum, Lovejoy's Hotel, Tammany Hotel, and the New England House. The others only started fires in the house where each was lodging and then ran off. Had they all done as I did we would have had thirty-two fires and played a huge joke on the fire department. I know that I am to be hung for setting fire to Barnum's Museum, but that was only a joke. I had no idea of doing it. I had been drinking and went it there with a friend, and, just to scare the people, I emptied a bottle of phosphorus on the floor. We knew it wouldn't set fire to the wood, for we had tried it before, and at one time concluded to give the whole thing up.

There was no fiendishness about it. After setting fire to my flour places I walked the streets all night and went to the Exchange Hotel early in the morning. We all met there that morning and the next night. My friend and I had rooms there, but was sat in the office nearly all the time reading the papers, while we were watched by the detectives of whom hotel was full. I expected to die then, and if I had it would have been all right; but now it seems rather hard. I escaped to Canada, and was glad enough when I crossed the bridge in safety.

I desired, however, to return to my command, and started with my friend for the Confederacy via Detroit. Just before entering the city he received an intimation that the detectives were on the lookout for us, and giving me signal, he jumped from the cars. I didn't notice the signal, but kept on and arrested in the depot.

wish to say that killing women and children was the last thing though of. We wanted to let the people of the North understand that there are two sides to this war, and that they can't be rolling in wealth and comfort while we at the South are bearing all the hardships and privations.

In retaliation for Sheridan's atrocities in the Shenandoah Valley we desired to destroy property, not the lives of women and children, although that would of course have followed in its train."

Done in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Martin Burke.
OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Washington, D. C., March 25, 1865.

During his confinement at Fort Lafayette, Kennedy spent his time writing a journal from "Room No. 1". Most of the pages were destroyed at his request but a few pages managed to survive. Below are various entries that shine a light on Kennedy's thoughts during his confinement.

IN HELL, March 2, 1865.

Having slept the greater portion of the day, I cannot sleep to-night, and as I have the conveniences at hand, propose committing some of my thoughts to paper. In thinking all over the circumstances of my trial. I must believe the verdict of my judges will be Not Guilty. But thinking also that I am a captive in the hands of enemies, who regard it a crime worthy of death to be an officer of the Confederate States Army, I am doubtful of their verdict. In summing up the evidence against me the Judge-Advocate shed tears, and afterwards shook hands, and asked me to pity him, that he merely did his duty, and was not actuated by malicious feelings to prosecute me.

This is all very well, but I must recollect that the same Judge-Advocate, when I was utterly friendless, and looked to him to assist me in my defence, scoffed at any rebutting evidence I proposed introducing. It was only when I was convinced that he intended rendering me no assistance, that I asked the court to grant a delay in order to obtain Gen. Stoughton as counsel. Maj. Bolles, the Judge-Advocate, knows well, that when the evidence for the Government was given I objected to nothing; that a large amount of irrelevant-matter-was introduced into the records of the court which appears as evidence against me. I thought that equal generosity would be extended toward me in making my defence; that I was arraigned, not before a judge and ignorant jurymen, out before intelligent officers of the same honorable profession to which I belong; that the Judge-Advocate, as a man of honor, would suffer me to elicit anything from my witnesses that would throw light in the case before the commission. Fool that I was to imagine anything of the kind. He objected to and debarred the most important part of the testimony I had to offer, viz: the evidence of Smith in regard to having given Hays $15 in gold, and the documents from Canada showing that I had no idea or intention of acting the spy when I entered the territory of the United States. I do not believe that a member of that commission, or Major Bolles, the Judge-Advocate, believes me to have acted as a spy or guerrilla, but I may be pronounced guilty of both charges. If I am executed, it will be nothing less than judicial, brutal, cowardly murder.

March 4.

This is a gala day for my enemies. They will do their best to honor Abraham. and celebrate the recent Union victories. The Federals have obtained possession of Charleston, Wilmington, and other places along our seaboard, but not by valor. Circumstances -- military necessity-caused the Confederates to evacuate them. The dogs ought to remember that they did not take Charleston by open warfare, that Gillmore & Co. have hammered in vain long at her gates and the "nest of secession" only succumbed when there was an army in its rear. They swear that Charleston made no resistance, without considering that her sons are in the peerless band of Lee. Goddamn them, let them subjugate the South and then triumph.

March 5.

I spent last night in giving a few impression of things during my trial. Here I will state that I will believe Major Bolles was honest in his statements to me; that he acted in accordance with the dictates of duty in pursuing me like a sleuth-hound and was hot actuated by malice or prejudice toward me. The conduct of Gen. Stoughton has been most noble; be came to my assistance when I was utterly friendless. Although I know that I would have done the came to him under a reversal of circumstances. I cannot properly express my gratitude or appreciation of his services. His conduct has almost disarmed me of any malice toward the Yankees, although they have made the fairest portion of my country a desert. Stoughton knows that when at West Point I was not sectional in my feelings or associations; that gentlemen were always welcome to my loom, whether born in Maine or Louisiana. He knows that I think myself right in my present position. If I had been the scoundrel that some New-York journals represent me. would he have so promptly tendered his services as counsel, without expecting a reward? I have no doubt He believed me unable to remunerate him in any manner, and undertook my defence merely through remembrance of "old times." I believe my cause to be a just one -- that it will ultimately succeed I have no doubt. If there is a just God he must favor those who most deserve it. Some detectives came to see me to-night. When asked their opinion of the result of my trial, they replied. "We think it will go against you." As every one knows who happened to know me, their opinion has no effect on me. It is to their interest to convict me. They get a considerable reward in that case.

I wrote to Chief Detective Young to-night to procure an interview between myself and Gen. Beall, C.S.A. I hope the Yankee authorities will grant it. I am much in need of articles Beall could furnish me. The damned vermin are so numerous that I am almost in the condition of Lee's veteran, who wanted a pound of mercurial ointment. Like him I am afraid to sneeze, for fear the damned lice would regard it a gong for dinner, and eat me up.

Oh. never, never, never, will a true Confederate soldier

Forsake his friends or fear his foes;

For while our Lord's Cross proudly floats defiance,

I don't care a damn how the wind blows.

On March 20, 1865, the Military Commission returned their verdict. They believed that Robert Cobb Kennedy should hang for his participation in the plot to burn New York City. His execution was set for Saturday, March 25th. All that was left to do was erect the gallows. Below are the official Military Commission documents that show Kennedy's trial and verdict:

During the course of the next five days, Kennedy went through nearly every emotion possible. He furiously fired off letters to friends and family. On March 23, 1865 a photographer visited Kennedy and took the photo below. A few hours before he went to the gallows, Kennedy sent copies of the photo along with locks of his hair, to friends and family in the South.

Photograph of Robert Cobb Kennedy taken 3/25/1865

Kennedy still maintained hope that President Lincoln would commute his sentence since he had been captured on his way home and not while trying to exact more revenge on the North. On the night before his execution, Kennedy scribbled out a note to the detectives who helped catch him. It reads as follows:

"FT. LAFAYETTE, March 25th, 1855.

J.S. Young:

DEAR SIR -- I am much obliged by the sending of that article.

In answer to your desire to ascertain the present state of my feelings towards you and associates. I can only say I bear you no malice. You did your duty as detectives, with, perhaps, as much kindness to me any others would under similar circumstances. Our professions have been different; what appealed right and proper to you seemed unfair and dishonorable to me; for example, the manner in which HAYES was instructed or allowed to act in order to obtain evidence against me.

Be assured I appreciate the many little acts of kindness extended by you and others to Respectfully yours.

R. C. KENNEDY

The next morning was told that the hour had arrived. "All right," said he, "I'm ready; I'm prepared for this thing; tie my arms;" and then, after a moment's quiet, he shouted. "This is hard for you damned Yankees to use me to. I'm a regular soldier in the Confederate army, and have been since the war."

Captain Robert Cobb Kennedy, dressed in a civilian suit made of Confederate gray wool, made his way to the gallows where a small contingent of reporters awaited the spectacle. A Federal Captain read the verdict aloud, during which Kennedy sneered "it's a damned lie." After a short prayer, Kennedy asked to speak a few last words. "Colonel, i wish to make a statement. Gentlemen, this is judicial murder. Colonel, I am ready. This is a judicial, cowardly murder. There's no occasion for the United States to treat me this way. I say Colonel, can't you get me a drink before I go up?" The noose was placed around his neck and the black hood pulled over his face. Kennedy began to sing a few lines of verse:

"Trust to luck, trust to luck.
Stare fate in the face.
For your heart will be easy
If it's in the right place."

Just after his last word, the counterweight was released and Kennedy's body was yanked off the floorboards, the sharp movement snapping his neck. His death was instantaneous. His body moved gently back and forth for a few moments, was cut down, encoffined and prepared for burial. He happened to be fourth and final known member of my family to be executed by the Federal army during the Civil War. Below is a link to an article about my other 3 family members that were murdered:

Three Cousins Murdered by Yankees in the Old Albemarle Region of North Carolina

Robert Cobb Kennedy was just 29 years old at the time of his execution. He was buried in an unmarked grave on Governor's Island. In the late 1870's all the graves on the island were disinterred and re-buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery, where Kennedy currently lies in an unmarked grave.

Graves of Confederate and Union Veterans side-by-side in Cypress Hills National Cemetery. (Note that the Confederate Graves are marked with pointed tops so no "damned yankee" could ever sit on top of them.)

Here's my relation to Robert Cobb Kennedy:

Robert Cobb Kennedy (1835 - 1865)

is your 5th cousin 6x removed

Elizabeth Lydia Cobb (1815 - 1891)

mother of Robert Cobb Kennedy

Henry Willis Cobb (1774 - 1820)

father of Elizabeth Lydia Cobb

John Cobb (1740 - 1809)

father of Henry Willis Cobb

John Cobb (1700 - 1775)

father of John Cobb

Robert Cobbs (1660 - 1727)

father of John Cobb

Robert Cobbs (1626 - 1682)

father of Robert Cobbs

Ambrose Cobb (1662 - 1718)

son of Robert Cobbs

Robert Cobb (1687 - 1769)

son of Ambrose Cobb

Elizabeth Cobb (1724 - 1780)

daughter of Robert Cobb

Reuben Benjamin Eaton Moss Sr. (1737 - 1819)

son of Elizabeth Cobb

Howell Cobb Moss Sr. (1773 - 1831)

son of Reuben Benjamin Eaton Moss Sr.

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

son of Howell Cobb Moss Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Benjamin Lucious Moss

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Kennedy was just one of eight arsonists, but he was the only one ever punished for the attempt to burn New York. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Martin, the originator of the burning plot, was arrested after the war and also confined to Fort Lafayette. Apparently Martin was also supposed to follow Kennedy's footsteps to the gallows, but his trial never took place. Martin was released from Fort Lafayette in 1866 due to lack of sufficient evidence against him. Martin later moved to New York where he died at age 61 due to an old war ailment. John W. Headley returned to Kentucky after the end of the Civil War where he served one term as Kentucky's Secretary of State before moving to Los Angeles, California where he died in 1930 at the age of 90. His 1905 memoir attempts to justify the plot to burn New York, stating in all capital letters:

"TEN DAYS BEFORE THIS ATTEMPT OF CONFEDERATES TO BURN NEW YORK CITY, GENERAL SHERMAN HAD BURNED THE CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND THE NORTHERN PAPERS AND PEOPLE OF THE WAR PARTY WERE IN GREAT GLEE OVER THE MISERIES OF THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE."

The North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment: Five Cousins Along With Some of Their Notable Descendants

2014-06-17T20:51:00.002-04:00

Flag of the 8th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops

The North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Macon, near Warrenton, North Carolina on September 14, 1861. Five members of my family, two from my mother's and three from my father's side, served in various Companies of this Regiment. William Henry Bagley, James William Hinton and William H. Overman served in Company A, which had been organized in Pasquotank County. John Duke Wortham served in Company D, which was raised out of Granville, Franklin and Warren Counties. James Will Duke served in Company F, which was comprised of men from New Hanover, Warren, Rowan and Franklin Counties.

Pre-war Photo of Henry M. Shaw, 1859

The officers assigned to the Regiment were Colonel Henry Marchmore Shaw from Currituck County, Lt. Colonel William J. Price from New Hanover County, Major George Williamson from Caswell County and Adjutant J. B. Cherry from Bertie County. While stationed at Camp Macon, the Regiment's duties included drilling and standing guard. On September 18, 1861, the North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment was ordered to proceed to Roanoke Island, where they arrived on September 21st.

Once the men arrived at Roanoke Island, they were ordered to arrange camp, dig wells and work on the fortifications of the camp. Once camp was established, the men were then ordered to drill. Drilling and camp upkeep became their regular duties. In late September, the Regiment consisted of about 650 men. On the 3rd of October, the Regiment along with the 3rd Georgia Infantry Regiment and a few additional troops, embarked on barges towed by steamers and made their way down the sound to attack a Federal encampment on a narrow strip of land along the shore known as "the Chicamacomico". The Confederate force made their attack on October 4th, capturing the Federal camp and 55 prisoners. The 3rd Georgia spearheaded the attack, while the 8th North Carolina was ordered to intercept the Federal retreat. As the Federals began their retreat, the 8th North Carolina was ordered to proceed to Hatteras and await the approach of the retreating enemy. Once the troops arrived at Hatteras, they debarked from the barges and attempted to wade to shore. After wading about a mile, the men encountered a channel that was too deep to cross. The men had to wade back to the barges in high tide and await further orders. On Sunday October 6th, they returned to camp at Roanoke Island.

From October through December, all was quiet at Roanoke Island. In December, new information leaked to the Confederate command that Federals were planning an attack somewhere along the Northern coast line of North Carolina. As a large Federal fleet began amassing at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, the Confederate command ordered the readiness of the Fort. The soldiers were constantly drilled and kept ready for the impending Federal attack. What would later be referred to as "the Burnside Expedition" would soon be coming to the coastal region of North Carolina.

On January 13, 1862, the Federal fleet entered the Pamlico Sound at Hatteras Inlet and began to make way for Roanoke Island. On the morning of February 7th, the Federal fleet drew near and began bombarding Fort Bartow, a Confederate earthen fort on the island with 9 mounted guns. Fort Bartow was the southernmost of the Confederate defenses on Roanoke Island. A shot from Fort Bartow actually began the engagement, however resulted in a 7 hour bombardment by the Federal fleet.

Historical Marker for Fort Bartow

After softening up the Confederate position at Fort Bartow, the Federals successfully landed nearly 15,000 troops on the shore of Roanoke Island. The Battle commenced around 7:00am on Saturday, February 8th. The Confederate forces were outnumbered roughly 10,000 to 1,400. Before the Battle, the 8th North Carolina numbered roughly 568 effectives. The Union troops were able to cross what was believed to be an impassable marsh and were able to successfully flank the position of the 8th North Carolina. The 8th stood fast and didn't waver until being ordered to retire to the north end of the island. Considering the great disparity in numbers, the fall of Roanoke Island was a forgone conclusion to the Confederate command. Despite that, fighting continued as long as there was any hope of success. The surrender did not take place until it appeared "that any further slaughter would have been useless and inhumane." During the engagement, the 8th North Carolina suffered 12 casualties (5 killed and 7 wounded). The flag atop the page was captured during the Battle of Roanoke Island by a member of the 24th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.

Following the surrender of Roanoke Island, the 8th North Carolina was held in camp as prisoners for about 2 weeks. The unit was then transported via steamboats to Elizabeth City where they were paroled and sent home by way of the Great Dismal Swamp. The men remained at home until August 15, 1862, when they were formally exchanged. Once formally exchanged, the men began to re-assemble the Regiment. The Regiment was formally re-assembled at Camp Mangum, a few miles west of Raleigh in the 2nd week of September. Once re-assembled, the Regiment was assigned to General Thomas Lanier Clingman's Brigade. Thomas Lanier Clingman is my 4th cousin, 6x removed.

Daguerreotype of Thomas Lanier Clingman

While stationed at Camp Mangum, the 8th North Carolina attended the funeral of Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, who was killed during the Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam on September 17, 1862. The unit participated in his burial at Raleigh's City Cemetery, giving him full military honors.

Grave of General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch

The 8th North Carolina remained in various camps in the State for much of the remainder of 1862. In December, the Regiment moved toward Goldsboro to meet a Federal expedition under the command of General John G. Foster that was advancing from New Bern along the south side of the Neuse River. On the 17th of December, the Confederates drew a line of battle alongside the railroad that led to Wilmington and waited for the Federal approach. The Battle of Goldsboro ensued, involving both Artillery and Infantry. The engagement went on to last for several hours. The Federal's retreated, but not before burning the bridge that crossed the Neuse, temporarily putting an end to the vital Confederate supply chain from the port of Wilmington. During the engagement, the 8th suffered 9 casualties (3 killed, 6 wounded). Following the battle, the 8th North Carolina went into winter quarters at Camp Whiting, near Wilmington.

The Regiment remained at Camp Whiting until the early part of February, 1863, when they were ordered to proceed to Charleston, SC, where they pitched camp on James Island. Unfortunately the swamps and malaria did quite a number on many of the unit's finest men. The Regiment was only stationed in Charleston for a few months, receiving orders to return to Wilmington on May 1, 1863. Once the Regiment arrived back in Wilmington, they established Camp Ashe in a large oak grove near the Old Topsail Sound. Camp Ashe provided about the most relaxing time the men would spend over the course of the next few years. There, the men indulged in fishing while not on duty. The Regiment remained at Camp Ashe for only about two months. The men were ordered back to Charleston, SC on July 10, 1863 to face a Federal force on Morris Island that was preparing to assault Battery Wagner.

Confederate Artillery Battery near Charleston, 1863

Once the 8th North Carolina arrived in Charleston, they were ordered to proceed to James Island where they began work on the fortifications west of Morris Island. On July 18, 1863, the Federals began their attack on Battery Wagner in full view of the 8th North Carolina. The men from the Regiment watched in horror awaiting the outcome. The Federals were beaten back and forced to retreat.

I've previously written about the 31st North Carolina's participation in the defense of Battery Wagner on July 18, 1863. The following link gives a more complete account of the action:

Blog Entry regarding 31st NC at Battery Wagner

The overwhelming defeat on the 18th led to the Federals entrenching themselves and preparing for a long siege. On July 22, 1863, the 8th North Carolina was ordered to Morris Island. While on the island, the men were exposed at all times to the enemy's fire by both land and sea while they prepared for another inevitable Federal attack. The Regiment received one of the most terrific bombardments it experienced during the siege on July 24th. The bombardment lasted several hours. Some of the shells expended by the Federals were of the heaviest caliber, measuring 15 inches in diameter. The concussion of the shells was so violent in some cases, blood could be seen running out of the ears and noses of some of the men.

The siege of Batter Wagner lasted 58 days. Morris Island was evacuated by Confederate forces on September 6th. The 8th North Carolina did duty on the island for about 21 days total. During the siege, Federal troops entrenched themselves roughly 100 yards from the battery. About 20 men from the 8th North Carolina volunteered for sharp shooter duty. Their goal being to pick off as many Union soldiers as possible from extended range with their Whitworth rifles. They were placed under the command of Lieutenant Dugger of Company F. Commander of Fort Johnson on Morris Island, Colonel George Paul Harrison, Jr.'s post battle report dated August 12, 1863 makes reference of the sharpshooters from the 8th North Carolina:

"My sharp-shooters, under Lieutenant Dugger, 8th North Carolina Regiment, do good work, though the Yankees are very shy and seldom show their heads."

The men sometimes sought refuge in the dunes between Battery Wagner and Battery Gregg, which were roughly 300 yard apart. The Federals were not long in discovering this and began shelling the dunes. The men displayed great courage while defending Battery Wagner, however the Union army was determined to Charleston, "the cradle of the rebellion."

Civil War era photo of the interior of Fort Moultrie

Following the evacuation of Morris Island on September 6, 1863, the 8th North Carolina was assigned to duty at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. Unlike Morris Island, there was no enemy presence on Sullivan's Island, making duty comparatively light to what the men had been used to. One morning, while the Confederates were on dress parade in the rear of Fort Moultrie, Federal ironclads came up and gave the fort a heavy bombardment. The parade was cut short, but fortunately no casualties occurred. The following day, the Regiment moved further inland, where they set up camp amongst the sand dunes. The men remained on Sullivan's Island until November 30, 1863, when camp was broken and the Regiment was ordered to proceed to the seat of war in Petersburg, Virginia.

On December 14, 1863, the 8th North Carolina arrived in Petersburg, Virginia. They were ordered to make camp in the streets. The men built small fires on the edge of the sidewalk and slept on the cold, hard rock paved street. The following day, the men marched about two miles from the city, where they established camp. There the duty was quite light compared to what the men had endured in Charleston.

Civil War Era Photo of Colonel Henry M. Shaw

In Petersburg, Colonel Shaw showed great faith in his men. It was customary to have troops perform guard duty at camp while not on the march. The Colonel decided to trust the honor of his men and not have guards at the camp. The men seemed to appreciate the Colonel's gesture and did not abuse the privilege. One hurried march down the James River and back was about all the action the 8th North Carolina would see for the remainder of 1863.

The 8th North Carolina spent much of January of 1864 in camp near Petersburg. On the 28th, the men received orders to prepare 3 days worth of rations. On the morning of January 29th, the Regiment marched to the train depot in Petersburg and proceeded to Kinston, where they arrived the morning of the 30th.

General George Pickett had assumed command of the Department of North Carolina following the Battle of Gettysburg. In January of 1864, Pickett received orders from Robert E. Lee to re-take the Union held city of New Bern. New Bern had been held by Federal forces its capture during the Burnside Expedition of 1862.

New Bern in 1864

From Kinston, the 8th North Carolina marched east towards New Bern, arriving on the morning of February 1, 1864. The unit positioned themselves near the Bachelor's Creek bridge, guarded by a blockhouse that was heavily fortified by Federal troops. The advance guard of the 8th began to encounter the enemy's pickets and soon had tough work on their hands. The entrenched Federals made a fierce resistance. While the advance guard of the 8th attempted to gain control over the bridge, Colonel Shaw and the rest of the Regiment rested by the side of the road, about 200 yards from the blockhouse. The area became enfiladed by Federal fire. Colonel Shaw was sitting on his horse right beside General Clingman, when he was struck in the head by a Federal bullet and killed instantly. The loss of Colonel Shaw was demoralizing to the unit. His coolness under fire and ability to remain calm in the presence of danger were great sources of inspiration to the Regiment. Colonel Shaw was buried in his family cemetery in Currituck County, North Carolina.

Historical Marker for Shaw near his home in Currituck County

Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Whitson was promoted to Colonel and succeeded Colonel Shaw. Needless to say, he had pretty big shoes to fill. By daylight on the morning of February 2nd, the advance guard of the 8th had finally forged across Bachelor's Creek and had secured the bridge. The Union force had retreated toward their fortifications at New Bern. The 8th North Carolina maintained a hurried pursuit until they came within range of the Federal batteries. A line of battle was formed, but it was soon realized that the Federal batteries could fire on the Confederate position from both the front and the flank. Shot and shell poured into the Confederate ranks. It soon became evident that an assault would be futile. The Regiment was ordered to fall back out of range of the Federal guns. The unit marched to Kinston, arriving there on February 3, 1864. They remained in Kinston for a few days before being sent back to Petersburg.

General Thomas Lanier Clingman's after battle report for the Battle of New Bern stated:

"It gives me great pleasure to be able to state that, though exposed on flank and front to artillery fire, threatened constantly with attack by the enemy's cavalry and infantry, the troops under my command performed the movements ordered with as much coolness and precision as I ever saw them on drill."

The report went on to give high praise to Colonel Shaw. It also mentioned there was not a single instance of desertion or straggling from his command during the expedition.

Following the Battle of New Bern, the 8th North Carolina remained in camp until they were called for duty in Virginia. Robert E. Lee had ordered an expedition against Federally occupied Suffolk, Virginia. Charged with commanding the expedition was Brigadier General Matt W. Ransom. The attack commenced on the morning of March 29, 1864. The 8th North Carolina skirmished against both Federal cavalry and light artillery and soon broke the force of the enemy. The Federals began a foot race retreat towards Bernard's Mill on Black Water. During the attack, the 8th incurred no casualties. Since the Federals had been driven across the Black Water, no further pursuit was made. The Regiment returned to camp at Petersburg.

Snowball fight during the Civil War

While the men were in camp, a great snow fell in March of 1864. The 51st North Carolina Infantry Regiment, whose was in camp near the 8th, orchestrated a surprise snowball attack on the 8th. A large scale snowball fight between the two regiments ensued. The 8th stood their ground for a while but the superior numbers of the 51st caused them to fall back into their camp. According to men from both regiments, "it was an excitable and enjoyable affair." Such occurrences were actually quite common during the cold, brutal winters during the war.

In April of 1864, the 8th North Carolina was again temporarily assigned to General Matt Ransom's Brigade where they were ordered to participate in an attack against Federally occupied Plymouth, North Carolina. Plymouth had also been captured and occupied by the Federal army during the Burnside Expedition of 1862. On April 17, 1864, Confederate forces numbering nearly 10,000 marched on Plymouth. The occupying Federal force numbered roughly 3,000. Federal batteries helped repel many of the approaching Confederates.

Battle of Plymouth, Harper's Weekly May 1864

On the morning of April 18th, the Confederates increased their artillery fire on the Federal positions. By late evening, the 8th was ordered to make a reconnaissance of the enemy's works. The men formed a line in the woods several hundred yards away from the Federal fortifications. A Confederate Battery of Artillery was ordered to take a position to the left of the 8th. The order was given to advance. Confederates began to pour out of the treeline and made their way towards the enemy. The Confederate Battery was brought within about 300 yards of the Federal line and began to pour artillery fire into the front of the main fort. Federal gunboats in the river began to target the both the battery and Confederate line of battle. One shell from a Federal gunboat landed about 150 yards from the front of the 8th's position, bounced once and then landed right in front of Company H, exploding and instantly killing and wounding 15 men. Three of the men were killed instantly, two were mortally wounded and the rest were severely wounded. The wounded were carried to the rear of the action and the dead were buried that night.

Engraving of CSS Alabemarle

Although the Confederates outnumbered their Federal opponents, they still needed a little assistance in re-taking Plymouth. Their call for help was answered in the predawn hours of April 19, 1864 by the Confederate gunboat the CSS Albemarle. During the night, the Albemarle took advantage of a particularly high river level, passed through obstructions in the river and slipped unnoticed past Fort Gray, without alerting Federal forces. Captained by James Cooke, the Albemarle, encountered the USS Southfield and the USS Miami along the Roanoke River. A fierce naval battle ensued. The Miami was considered to be the most powerful vessel on the Roanoke. The Albemarle managed to quickly sink the Southfield, and heavily damaged the Miami, prompting her to retreat from the engagement. Now that the town was no longer protected by Federal gunboats, a two pronged Confederate attack was ordered.

Signal flares were shot up in the early hours of the morning on April 20th, alerting the Confederates to begin their attack from the east and west of the town. A Confederate Artillery unit took position right in front of the 8th North Carolina and began to bombard the Federal position. The Regiment was ordered to advance upon the enemy. The men moved to roughly 150 yards in front of the fort and the order was given to charge. Rebel yell's filled the air as the men began to rush the fort. Federal Infantrymen began to pepper the advancing Confederates with musket fire. The Regiment proceeded on and began to climb up the outside of the fort. Federal sharpshooters were firing out of the gun holes in the fort. Many advancing Confederates were killed instantly. Still, the attack continued. Men from the 8th North Carolina began using the same gun holes, this time using them to fire inside the fort at the Federal occupiers. It was said that picking the Federal troops off from this position was like "shooting fish in a barrel". Once the gate of the fort was finally swung open, the Confederates rushed in and took the fort. Men in the Regiment began shouting "three cheers for North Carolina" announcing that the assault had been a success. It was a terrific victory, but the 8th North Carolina paid a heavy price. The Regiment lost 154 killed and wounded, nearly 1/3rd of it's number.

Following a few days rest in Plymouth, the Regiment made its way to Washington, North Carolina. It appeared as though the Confederates would continue their attempt at re-taking another Federal occupied North Carolina city, New Bern. On May 6, 1864, the 8th North Carolina was preparing to march to New Bern when they received orders to proceed at once to Petersburg, Virginia. The men marched to Kinston where they boarded rail cars and proceeded to Petersburg via the Weldon railroad. Federal troops had burned the bridge crossing the Nottoway River, making it necessary for the Confederates to march for part of their trip, delaying their arrival. Once the Regiment arrived at Petersburg, they resumed their place in Clingman's Brigade, Hoke's Division and were ordered to Drewry's Bluff.

Civil War Era View of Drewry's Bluff

On May 5, 1864, Federal Major General Benjamin F. Butler and his Army of the James landed at Bermuda Hundred, a small strip of land only 15 miles south of Richmond. Numbering nearly 30,000, they began an overland march and advanced within 3 miles of Drewry's Bluff by May 9th. A Confederate army of nearly 18,000 men had been pieced together by Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard for the defense of Richmond. Beauregard had recently been placed in command of the Department of North Carolina and Cape Fear, which he promptly renamed the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. His new duties included the defenses along the James River.

General P.G.T. Beauregard

General Butler moved north against the Confederate line at Drewry's Bluff on May 12, 1864. Upon realizing his attack was not supported by Federal gunboats, he promptly took up a defensive position. On May 13th a Federal column struck the right flank of the Confederate line, capturing a line of Confederate earthworks. General Butler remained cautious and didn't further his attack. That gave Beauregard time to consolidate his forces. In the early morning light of May 16th, Major General Robert Ransom's Brigade (brother of Matt W. Ransom who also commanded a Brigade in this Division) opened an attack on Butler's right flank. The surprise attack routed many of many of Butler's units. Subsequent attacks were made through the dense fog. The Federals became disorganized and demoralized from several hours of repeated attacks. After severe fighting, Butler withdrew his force back his Bermuda Hundred line.

On May 20th, Beauregard ordered his Confederates to attack Butler's position near the Ware Bottom Church. The 8th North Carolina took part in the charge, moving forward under destructive fire from the enemy's line. The Confederates pressed on and forced the enemy back to their Bermuda Hundred defenses. Although the Confederates were able to claim victory, the 8th North Carolina suffered numerous casualties. The Regiment had been engaged in heavy battle for 5 days with an enemy with superior numbers. In those 5 days of fighting, the 8th North Carolina suffered between 80 - 100 killed and wounded. Beauregard's after battle report praised the Confederate defenders saying "Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men who fought at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff." Following the battle, Confederate forces were able to dig a critical series of defensive earthworks that became known as the Howlett Line.

Hoke's Division was now ordered to reinforce Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, which had just fought great battles in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House. On May 30, 1864, the 8th North Carolina traveled by train to Richmond and then proceeded to march to Cold Harbor. Clingman's Brigade crossed the Chickahominy at Gains' Mills on May 31st and began to move toward the Federal line.

Battle of Cold Harbor by Kurz and Allison, 1888

The bloody Battle of Cold Harbor began on May 31, 1864. It would mark the second time in 2 years that a battle had been fought on the same ground. The 8th North Carolina's participation began with the Regiment being attacked by Federal Cavalry, both in the flank and rear. A considerable number of men were either killed, wounded or captured, forcing the Regiment to fall back and take a new defensive position. This position was heavily reinforced during the night in preparation to meet the expected Federal attack on the following day.

Makeshift Confederate Earthworks Erected at Cold Harbor on May 31, 1864

On June 1st, Federal Infantry advanced in large numbers against the Confederate line. The 8th North Carolina formed the extreme left of Hoke's Division. The Regiment was attacked in front, flank and rear. Federal soldiers charged up the Confederate works that had been hastily erected the previous night. Furious hand to hand combat ensued. The 8th North Carolina held its position for some time but was forced back. The men rallied and charged the Federal position, forcing them back. A see-saw battle for position began to take place. The Union forces would draw back and then rally and charge, followed by the same actions from the Confederates. This see-saw rally and charge took place six or seven times before the 8th North Carolina finally dug in and held their position.

The Regiment only took part in a light skirmish on June 2nd but would see more heavy action the next day. At 4:30am on the morning of June 3, 1864, three Federal Corps began to advance through a thick fog. Massive fire from the Confederate line quickly inflicted heavy casualties. Shot, shell and minie tore into the ranks of the advancing Federals resulting in one of the most lopsided casualty counts from the entire war. General Ulysses S. Grant wrote of the disaster at Cold Harbor in his personal memoirs. He stated:

"I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made....At Cold Harbor no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained. Indeed, the advantages other than those of relative losses, were on the Confederate side."

Although the outcome was severely lopsided in total, the 8th North Carolina suffered heavy casualties. During the four days of fighting, the Regiment lost nearly 275 men killed, wounded or captured. Several officers were killed or mortally wounded.

The Regiment didn't have too long to lick its wounds. On June 14, 1864, Hoke's Division was ordered to Petersburg, arriving on June 16th with no time to waste. Federal troops were already advancing. Confederate lines of battle were formed in the breastworks and entrenchments that surrounded the heavily fortified city. Two Federal attacks were made, but both were beaten back. This particular skirmishing took place on the same ground where the friendly snowball fight had occurred the previous winter between the 8th and 51st North Carolina Regiments.

Fortified Trenches in Petersburg, 1864

The fighting began early on the morning of June 17th. Heavy skirmishing occurred throughout the day. Around 5pm it became evident that the Federals were massing for an attack near the front of the Confederate line. The assault took place just before dark. The Federals initially succeeded in breaking the Confederate line. The 8th North Carolina was ordered to support the breach. The Regiment acted quickly in driving the enemy out and re-established the line. After several hours of fighting, the Federals finally retreated.

The Confederates were ordered to draw back to a newly established line of works on the morning of June 18th. The 8th North Carolina's position in the new line was in an open field. The enemy appeared in large numbers, advancing in three lines of battle in the front of the Regiment. A heavy fire was opened on the advancing Federals. The Federals made a rush for a ravine about 300 yards away from the Confederate line and established their line of battle. The 8th North Carolina did not take part in any assault on June 18th, but the Regiment was exposed to heavy Federal artillery fire throughout the day.

On June 19th, the 8th North Carolina was ordered to occupy a line of works next to the Appomattox River. This made their position the extreme left of the Confederate forces that occupied the south side of the river. Here the men "practically lived in the ground...walking in ditches, eating in ditches and sleeping in pits." The Federals had entrenched themselves in the ravine about 300 yards away. Men from both sides had to remain low to the ground to avoid sharpshooters.

On June 30, 1864, Federal forces exploded a mine that had been dug under a Confederate position. Another Regiment from Clingman's Brigade was ordered to proceed to the scene of the explosion. The 8th North Carolina remained and had to fill the gap in the Confederate line. The men from the 8th North Carolina stood over a yard apart. The men held this thin line until the Regiment that had been drawn out returned.

The Regiment remained in their fortifications until August 19th, when they were drawn out to take part in attacking a strong Federal force that was advancing towards the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad. A line of battle was formed and a valiant Confederate charge was made. The 8th North Carolina had to advance through a dense thicket, which scattered the Confederate force. Bullets came from every direction. At times the Confederates couldn't tell from which direction the fire was coming from or who was doing the firing. The Confederates captured more than 2,500 enemy soldiers on August 19th and killed or wounded nearly 400 more, but their victory fell short of recovering the critical railroad.

Interior View of Fort Harrison After Being Captured By the Federal Army, 1865

In a few days, the Regiment was ordered back to their old position along the Appomattox River, where they remained until September 29th when they were ordered to Richmond. From Richmond, the men marched toward Fort Harrison. On September 30th, a line of battle was drawn for the purpose of assaulting Fort Harrison, which had been captured by Federal forces on September 28th. Clingman's Brigade was ordered to make their assault directly on the fort. The charge took place in open day, over open ground about 200 yards from the fort. The 8th North Carolina formed behind a low hill. When the order to advance was given, the men moved forward rapidly. As soon as the Confederates began their approach, Federal troops began firing into their ranks. Before it got to the fort, the Regiment was nearly decimated. The 8th North Carolina went into the assault on Fort Harrison with about 175 men. Only about 25 men made it through the day unscathed. The rest of the men were either killed, wounded or captured.

Following the dreadful assault on Fort Harrison, the Regiment went into camp for a few days. The Regiment did not take part in any significant actions for the remainder of 1864. On December 22nd, Hoke's Division was ordered to Wilmington, North Carolina. The men boarded rail cars in Richmond and proceeded all the way to Danville, Virginia. In Danville, they found the rail road tracks to be cut up, forcing them to march to Greensboro. When they arrived in Greensboro, they proceeded to Wilmington by rail, arriving on the night of December 28th. When the Regiment arrived in Wilmington, they were ordered to take up their old position at Camp Whiting, where they remained until January 12, 1865. The Federal fleet had made its 2nd appearance off the coast of Fort Fisher, having initially been defeated weeks earlier on December 24, 1864.

View of Fort Fisher's Sea Face, 1865

Fort Fisher, also known as the Southern Gibraltar because of its geography, protected one of the Confederacy's last vital trading routes, the port of Wilmington, North Carolina. After the fall of Charleston, Wilmington was Robert E. Lee's most important supply line for his Army of Northern Virginia. With its heavy fortifications and guns, Fort Fisher had protected the port of Wilmington for most of the war. Artillery Batteries were first constructed at Fort Fisher in the spring of 1861. By September the site would be christened as Fort Fisher, named after Colonel Charles F. Fisher who had been killed at the First Battle of Manassas. The Confederate Goliath kept the Federal fleet at bay until late January of 1865.

Watercolor of Fort Fisher by eyewitness Ensign John W. Grattan, US Navy

On January 12, 1865, the 8th North Carolina was ordered to proceed to Sugar Loaf, which was about four miles away from Fort Fisher. The Regiment arrived on January 13th, and at once began to construct a line of fortified earthworks. About the same time the Regiment arrived at Sugar Loaf, Federal troops began landing at Fort Fisher under the protection of the Federal fleet. The Confederates began to establish a strong defensive line between their position and Fort Fisher. Unfortunately for the Confederates, every foot of ground between their line and the fort was in range of the Federal gunboats, making any attempt at an assault futile. The 8th North Carolina could do nothing more than wait for the oncoming Federal attack. The Confederates worked night and day on strengthening their position.

On Sunday, June 15, 1865, the Federal attack on Fort Fisher began. The fighting commenced roughly at 3:30pm and continued for nearly 7 hours. The men from the 8th North Carolina could do nothing but watch from their position at Sugar Loaf as the Fort was taken by Federal troops. A demonstration was made in the direction of the fort, but an assault would have led to the destruction of the Regiment with no tactical outcome for the Confederates.

Capture of Fort Fisher by Kurz and Allison, 1890

Following the fall of Fort Fisher, the 8th North Carolina remained at Sugar Loaf and continued strengthening its line. Light skirmishing occurred, but the real danger to the Regiment was the Federal fleet, located off the coast of Carolina Beach. Federal gunboats were within easy range of the Confederate works. On February 11th, a Federal assault was made against the Confederate picket line but the enemy did not assault the works. The skirmishing continued each day until February 18th, when the Regiment received orders to fall back toward Wilmington. The Confederate force made it to within about 5 miles of Wilmington where they made a stand and waited for the approaching enemy.

On the night of February 21st, Confederate forces began to withdraw from the city. The 8th North Carolina was one of the last Regiments to withdraw and covered the retreat. On February 22, 1865, as the Confederate forces marched out of one side of the city, Federal troops entered the other side of the city. Federal troops gained ground on the Confederates and began to skirmish with the Confederate rear guard. The enemy had to be held in check in order for the Confederates to cross the river with their army and wagon trains. The last mile to the river was hotly contested. The Regiment bravely held its ground and effectively halted the advance of the enemy.   The Confederates made their way across a pontoon bridge, cutting it away as the last of the force crossed. The river now prevented any further pursuit from the Federal army for the time being. The Confederates began erecting earthworks about 200 yards from the river bank. The 8th North Carolina did fine work in covering the retreat from Wilmington to the Northeast River.

The Regiment rested at the Northeast River for a few days before being ordered to proceed to Kinston, where the Federal army was advancing in strong force. The unit arrived in Kinston on March 8th and was ordered to a point called Wyse Forks, which was located a few miles from town in the direction of New Bern. It wasn't long before the fighting began. The Regiment was engaged more or less the entire time during the three day battle.

Around midnight on March 10th, the Regiment received orders to march towards Smithfield where their goal was to unite with the Army of Tennessee under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston. On March 19, 1865, with the union effectively complete, the Battle of Bentonville commenced.   The 8th North Carolina was held in reserve during the first day of fighting. On the night of March 19, 1865, the Regiment established its line at the extreme left of Johnston's army. The only action incurred by the Regiment on March 20th was light skirmishing. On March 21st, the enemy made a heavy demonstration on the 8th North Carolina's part of the Confederate line. On the night of March 22nd, the Regiment received orders to withdraw towards Smithfield. Being that the 8th North Carolina was at the extreme left of the Confederate force, it caused them to be the last Regiment to withdraw. Much like it had done in the retreat from Wilmington, the 8th North Carolina had to protect the rear. The enemy advanced on and pressed the rear picket guard until the Confederates were able to cross a creek and set up rifle pits to effectively halt the pursuit. The Confederates remained there a few hours before marching to Smithfield.

They remained at camp in Smithfield for a few weeks before receiving orders to march toward Raleigh, then Chapel Hill. From Chapel Hill, the men continued to march toward Haw River, where they were able to cross at Ruffin's Mill. The men continued their march, crossing the Alamance River and arriving at Archdale in Randolph County, where they received news of Lee's surrender. Within a few days, news came that General Johnston was contemplating terms for a surrender to General Sherman in Durham.   That surrender came on April 26, 1865. On May 2nd, the Regiment was paroled and sent home. Their war was over. During the nearly four years of action, about 1,300 men served in the ranks of the 8th North Carolina. At the end, only 150 remained present at the surrender.

Members of the 8th North Carolina

Company A was also known as "The Hinton Guards" after their original Captain, James William Hinton, my 5th cousin 5x removed.

William Henry Bagley

William Henry Bagley was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina on July 5, 1833. He is my 6th cousin 5x removed. Prior to the war, William practiced law and was the editor of the Elizabeth City Sentinel in Pasquotank County. William enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment on May 4, 1861 in Pasquotank County, at the age of 27. By May 16th, William was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

First Muster for William showing his promotion to 1st Lieutenant

William, along with most of the Regiment, was captured following the Battle of Roanoke in February of 1862.

POW List showing William was captured at Roanoke

William returned to the Regiment after he was paroled following the Battle of Roanoke Island and was listed as being present and accounted for through October of 1862. On October 25th, he was promoted to Captain of Company A.

Muster Roll showing William's promotion to Captain

William continued his rise through the ranks of the Confederate army. On July 8, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Major and reassigned to the newly formed North Carolina 68th Infantry Regiment, where he served until the end of the war along with Colonel James W. Hinton. Following the end of the Civil War, William moved to Raleigh and resumed practicing law. On March 1, 1866, William married Adelaide Ann Worth, daughter of former North Carolina Governor and Civil War Treasurer, Jonathan Worth. William remained in Raleigh for the rest of his life. He survived an additional 21 years following the end of the Civil War. William Henry Bagley died in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina on February 21, 1886 at the age of 52. He was buried in Raleigh's historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Grave of Major William Henry Bagley

Here's my relation to William:

William Henry Bagley 1833-1886
6th cousin 5x removed

Willis Holmes Bagley 1808-1872
Father of William Henry Bagley

William Bagley 1773-1826
Father of Willis Holmes Bagley

Thomas Bagley 1740-1785
Father of William Bagley

Thomas Bagley 1711-1762
Father of Thomas Bagley

Susan Susannah Lockett 1671-1727
Mother of Thomas Bagley

Margaret Osborne 1649-1708
Mother of Susan Susannah Lockett

Capt. Thomas Osborne II 1615-1685
Father of Margaret Osborne

Edward Osborne 1646-1697
Son of Capt. Thomas Osborne II

Martha Osborne 1688-1757
Daughter of Edward Osborne

Robert Wooldridge 1719-1784
Son of Martha Osborne

Thomas Wooldridge Sr. 1740-1814
Son of Robert Wooldridge

Archibald "Archer" Wooldridge 1772-1811
Son of Thomas Wooldridge Sr.

Caroline M. Wooldridge 1796-1851
Daughter of Archibald "Archer" Wooldridge

Sarah A. Cole 1815-1887
Daughter of Caroline M. Wooldridge

George Patterson Vaden 1840-1892
Son of Sarah A. Cole

William Austin Vaden 1885-1916
Son of George Patterson Vaden

Robert William Vaden (Lewis) 1913-1990
Son of William Austin Vaden

Joyce Elaine Lewis 1948-
Daughter of Robert William Vaden (Lewis)

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Joyce Elaine Lewis

William and Adelaide had seven children. Their first child, daughter Adelaide Worth Bagley, married former Secretary of the United States Navy and Editor of the News and Observer, Josephus Daniels.

Ensign Worth Bagley

Their third child, son Worth Bagley was the only United States Naval Officer killed in the Spanish American War. Worth was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 6, 1874. He is my 5th cousin 4x removed. Worth was educated at the Centennial Graded School and the Raleigh Male Academy. Upon his graduation, he received an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy. Worth Graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1895. He spent the next two years on board several ships of the North Atlantic Squadron. After final examination, Worth was made an Ensign in the United States Navy on July 1, 1897. He served on board both the USS Indiana and the USS Maine before accepting a position as the Executive Officer of the USS Winslow, a torpedo boat.

Spanish American era picture of Ensign Worth Bagley

After the sinking of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898, the Winslow proceeded to Key West, Florida where she prepared for operations in Cuban waters. On the morning of May 11, 1898, the Winslow was engaged in battle in the Harbor of Cardenas. She was fired upon by the Spanish gunboat Antonio López. A fierce naval battle ensued. The Winslow soon became disable and had to be towed away from the Spanish guns. Just as the engagement was ending, Ensign Bagley and two other sailors were killed by an exploding shell. On May 13th, funeral services were held for Ensign Bagley in Key West, Florida. His body was brought back to North Carolina where his body lay in state in the Capitol. His funeral was held at the south end of Capitol Square and he was interred with the honors of a Brigadier General in Raleigh's historic Oakwood Cemetery near the graves of his parents and his grandfather, Governor Jonathan Worth.

Grave of Ensign Worth Bagley

Closeup of Effigy of Ensign Worth Bagley

Rear side of Ensign Worth Bagley's grave

Graves of Worth Bagley, Jonathan Worth & William Henry Bagley

The North Carolina General Assembly directed that a suitable spot on Capitol Square be set aside for a permanent monument to honor Bagley. Citizens of North Carolina provided the funds, and F. Packer was the sculptor of the statue. On 20 May 1907 the statue to the memory to the only American naval officer killed in the Spanish American War was unveiled.

Worth Bagley Monument, Capitol Grounds, Raleigh NC

Another notable member of the Bagley family is William and Adelaide's youngest son, David Worth Bagley. David was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on January 8, 1883. He attended North Carolina State College in 1898 and 1899 before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1900.

David Worth Bagley

After graduating on February 4, 1904, David went to sea on board the USS Missouri, which was attached to the Battleship Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet. In December of 1905 he was reassigned to the Asiatic Fleet. David served two years at sea and was commissioned Ensign on February 2, 1906. He served successively on board the USS Concord and USS West Virginia. He was detached from the West Virginia in March of 1907 and, the following year, reported on board the USS Rhode Island of the Atlantic Fleet and made the voyage around the world on her with the Great White Fleet. In April of 1909, he left the Rhode Island and went to the General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York, for a year of special instruction.

He then became aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, 2nd Division, Atlantic Fleet, in April 1910. After a similar tour of duty on the staff of the Commander in Chief of the Asiatic Fleet, David was given two months furlough. Following his furlough he reported for duty at the Naval Academy in September 1912. Two years later, Bagley returned to sea as First Lieutenant on board the USS Michigan, serving with the Atlantic Fleet. He got his first command in September 1915 when he took over the USS Drayton.

USS Jacob Jones (DD-61)

In January of 1917, Bagley was reassigned to the Destroyer USS Jacob Jones. On April 6, 1917, the United States entered into World War I. By early May, Commander Bagley and the USS Jacob Jones were conducting antisubmarine patrols and convoy escort missions in the British Isles. Soon his area of operations would also include the Irish Sea and the English Channel.

On December 6, 1917, Bagley directed his ship out of Brest Harbor, France when she was spotted by German submarine U-53. At 4:21pm, a member of the watch spotted the wake of a torpedo. The Jacob Jones maneuvered to avoid the torpedo but her efforts were in vain. The torpedo struck her starboard side and pierced her fuel oil tank, but did not explode the cargo of depth charges. The jolt had knocked out her power, so the Destroyer was unable to send out a distress signal. As the ship began to go down, Bagley ordered all life rafts and boats launched. He then ordered Jacob Jones to be scuttled. The boat began to sink by the stern after the scuttling charges were activated. As the ship continued to sink, her bow raised in the air almost vertically before she began to slip beneath the waves. At this point the depth charges began exploding, killing a number of men who had been unable to escape the Destroyer. In all, 64 sailors went down with the Jacob Jones. Commander Bagley and 37 other survivors made it into the icy water in the boats and life rafts.

Sinking of the Jacob Jones

Commander Bagley noted in his official account that about 30 minutes after the Jacob Jones went down, the German submarine surfaced about two miles away from the lifeboats and appeared to collect some of the injured Americans. Captain Rose also radioed the American base at Queenstown with the approximate coordinates of the sinking before departing the area.

Commander Bagley was unaware of Rose's humanitarian gesture. He left most of the food, water and medical supplies with Lieutenant Commander John K. Richards, who he had left in charge of the assembled lifeboats. Bagley and his Executive Officer Norman Jones, along with four crewman (brough along to row), set out for aid in the nearby Isles of Sicily. At 1:00pm on December 7th, Bagley's group was spotted by a British patrol vessel about 6 miles away from their position. Commander Bagley was relieved to find that most of the survivors had been rescued by the British sloop HMS Camellia earlier that morning. Commander Bagley received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his part in handling the situation.

Following the sinking of his ship, Bagley returned home to the United States and assumed command of the USS Lea, which was then under construction in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Lea was commissioned on October 2, 1918, just over a month before the end of the war. World War I ended on November 18, 1918. Bagley retained command of the ship until January of 1919, when he became the American Port Officer in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He also was assigned for additional duty as the Assistant Naval Attaché in the American legation at the Hague. Bagley remained in this position for about 2 years.

In December of 1921, he was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department, Washington, DC. In March of 1922, Bagley returned to sea in command of the USS Reno and as Commander of the Destroyer Division 32, Pacific Fleet. In August of 1923, he was transferred to command of Division 35, Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet. Commander Bagley went ashore again in May of 1924 for another 2 year tour of duty at the Naval Academy. At the end of the academic year in 1926, he left the Academy to become Chief of Staff to the Commander, Naval Forces, Europe. In April 1927, Bagley moved to the 9th Naval District as the Chief of Staff to the Commandant with temporary additional duty as acting Commanding Cfficer of the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes.

Bagley returned to sea again in December of 1931 as the Commanding Officer of heavy cruiser USS Pensacola, then serving in the Atlantic with Cruiser Division 4, Scouting Fleet. He retained this command until May of 1933 when he was ordered to report to Washington D.C. for duty in the Bureau of Navigation, where he would later become Assistant Bureau Chief.

In May of 1935, Bagley was ordered to attend the Naval War College in New Port, Rhode Island. Upon completing the senior course, he remained there as a member of the staff. Next came a year of duty as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 20, Scouting Fleet. From July of 1937 to May of 1938, he served as Commander Minecraft, Battle Force. While in that position, he was promoted to flag rank of Rear Admiral, effective date April 1, 1938. In May of 1938, Bagley began a 32 month tour as Commandant of the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California.

David W. Bagley, on left, with, from left to right, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Major General Delos C. Emmons, and Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch

In January of 1941, Admiral Bagley assumed command of the USS Tennessee as Commander, Battleship Division 2. He was serving in that command when his flagship was slightly damaged on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During the attack, her crewman manned the anti-aircraft guns and attempted to defend the harbor and the ship as best as they could. During the air raid, the Tennessee was struck by two armor-piercing bombs that detonated incompletely. The first bomb hit the center gun of turret two, and it made all three guns inoperable. Debris from that bomb hit the command deck of the USS West Virginia and mortally wounded her Commanding Officer, Mervyn S. Bennion, who earned the Medal of Honor for his brave efforts in resisting the Japanese attacks. The second bomb went through the roof of turret three, and it damaged her left gun. The Tennessee was showered with debris when the magazine of the Arizona exploded and her stern was engulfed in flames from the Arizona's burning fuel oil. Wedged between the sunken West Virginia and her mooring quays, the Tennessee was trapped at her berth for ten days before being freed, and four days later she set sail for the West Coast to be repaired.

USS Tennessee (left) after the attack on Pearl Harbor; the USS West Virginia is next to her.

On April 4, 1942, Bagley relieved Rear Admiral Claude C. Bloch as Commandant, 14th Naval District, and Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier. He served in that capacity until January of 1943. On February 1, 1943, he assumed command of the Western Sea Frontier. On March 30, 1943, he also assumed duty as Commandant, 11th Naval District. He held the latter office only until January 1944, but continued to head the Western Sea Frontier until the following fall.

Vice Admiral David W. Bagley, USN

David Worth Bagley was promoted to Vice Admiral on February 1, 1944. He was relieved of duty as Commander, Western Sea Frontier, on November 17, 1944. Vice Admiral Bagley returned to Oahu and resumed duty as Commandant, 14th Naval District, and served in that position until he was ordered to Washington on July 25, 1945. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in his assignment from November 1944 until July 1945 he was awarded the Legion of Merit. His citation reads:

"Responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the numerous and varied Naval shore establishments as well as certain offshore functions in the Hawaiian and other outlying islands where Naval installations were situated...(he) by his efficient cooperation with other branches of the armed services as well as by his administration of directives and policies in the execution of his authority in civilian affairs...contributed materially to the effective employment of this vast area in the successful prosecution of the war against Japan..."

On August 20, Bagley reported for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and served on the International Defense Board, the United States-Mexican Defense Commission, and the Permanent Joint Board on Defense. Vice Admiral Bagley was relieved of all active duty on March 22, 1946. He was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy on April 1, 1947. In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, Admiral Bagley has the World War I Victory Medal, Destroyer Clasp; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal. He was also awarded the Cruz del Mérito Naval Blanco de 2a Clase by the King of Spain, the Order of Avis by the Portuguese Government and Commander of the Order of the Savior by the Government of Greece.

He married the former Mary Louise Harrington, and they had three sons, Admiral David Harrington Bagley, USN; Admiral Worth H. Bagley, and Tennant H. Bagley, USN, who served in the Marine Corps Reserve during World War II. Admiral Bagley died at the Naval Hospital, San Diego, California, on May 24, 1960 at the age of 77. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Grave of Admiral David Worth Bagley

Due to the fact that Worth and David were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart:

Here's my relation to David Worth Bagley:

Admiral David Worth Bagley 1883-1960
7th cousin 4x removed

William Henry Bagley 1833-1886
Father of Admiral David Worth Bagley

Willis Holmes Bagley 1808-1872
Father of William Henry Bagley

William Bagley 1773-1826
Father of Willis Holmes Bagley

Thomas Bagley 1740-1785
Father of William Bagley

Thomas Bagley 1711-1762
Father of Thomas Bagley

Susan Susannah Lockett 1671-1727
Mother of Thomas Bagley

Margaret Osborne 1649-1708
Mother of Susan Susannah Lockett

Capt. Thomas Osborne II 1615-1685
Father of Margaret Osborne

Edward Osborne 1646-1697
Son of Capt. Thomas Osborne II

Martha Osborne 1688-1757
Daughter of Edward Osborne

Robert Wooldridge 1719-1784
Son of Martha Osborne

Thomas Wooldridge Sr. 1740-1814
Son of Robert Wooldridge

Archibald "Archer" Wooldridge 1772-1811
Son of Thomas Wooldridge Sr.

Caroline M. Wooldridge 1796-1851
Daughter of Archibald "Archer" Wooldridge

Sarah A. Cole 1815-1887
Daughter of Caroline M. Wooldridge

George Patterson Vaden 1840-1892
Son of Sarah A. Cole

William Austin Vaden 1885-1916
Son of George Patterson Vaden

Robert William Vaden (Lewis) 1913-1990
Son of William Austin Vaden

Joyce Elaine Lewis 1948-
Daughter of Robert William Vaden (Lewis)

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Joyce Elaine Lewis

James W. Hinton

James W. Hinton was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on March 3, 1827. He is my 5th cousin 5x removed. Prior to the Civil War, James was an attorney in Elizabeth City. On May 16, 1861, James W. Hinton was appointed as Captain of Company A, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment.

1st Muster Roll for James

James was captured by Federal forces along with the majority of his Unit on February 15, 1862 during the Battle of Roanoke Island. He was paroled and sent home to Elizabeth City.

POW List showing James was captured then paroled

James quickly rose through the ranks of the 8th North Carolina. On October 25, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Major.

Roll of Honor showing James' promotion to Major

James promotion to Major created a vacancy for his old rank of Captain. The Confederacy chose another member of my family to fill that position. William Henry Bagley was successor to James as Captain of Company A.

Roster showing James promotion to Major, William Henry Bagley successor as Captian

James continued to rise though the ranks of the Confederate army. On February 20, 1863, James was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Roster showing James' promotion to Lieutenant Colonel

James was only in this position for about four months. On July 18, 1863, James was mustered out of the 8th North Carolina and commissioned as Colonel of the North Carolina 68th Infantry Regiment.

Roll of Honor showing James' promotion to Colonel of the NC 68th

James served as Colonel of the North Carolina 68th Infantry Regiment through the end of the Civil War. Following the end of the war, he relocated to Norfolk Virginia where he lived an additional 10 years. James William Hinton died in Norfolk, Virginia on January 23, 1875 at the age of 47. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk, Virginia.

Grave of James W. Hinton

Here's my relation to James:

Col. James William Hinton Sr. 1827-1875
5th cousin 4x removed

Edgar Latimer Hinton 1804-1892
Father of Col. James William Hinton Sr.

William Smith Hinton 1772-1827
Father of Edgar Latimer Hinton

William Hinton 1748-1783
Father of William Smith Hinton

Hardy Hinton 1712-1760
Father of William Hinton

Col. John Hinton 1673-1731
Father of Hardy Hinton

Hinton
Father of Col. John Hinton

Jacob Hinton Sr. 1672-1760
Son of Hinton

William Hinton 1748-1806
Son of Jacob Hinton Sr.

John Hinton 1776-1854
Son of William Hinton

Julia Hinton 1807-1867
Daughter of John Hinton

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Julia Hinton

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

William H. Overman was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on November 4, 1839. His father, Benjamin Franklin Overman, Sr. had relocated to the Florida territory sometime around 1850, leaving young William behind with family in North Carolina. Although Benjamin Franklin Overman, Sr. was born in 1797, he still served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. I've previously written an entry pertaining to Benjamin, it can be found here:

Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Overman

William enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment on September 14, 1861 at the age of 22. His Muster-in and Descriptive Roll lists him as being a Farmer from Pasquotank County. It also listed his height as being 5'8".

First Muster for William

William was also captured and taken prisoner following the Battle of Roanoke Island.

List showing William was capture at Roanoke Island

By July of 1862, William had returned to the re-organized Regiment. He was listed as being present and accounted for through January 3, 1864 when he was admitted to the General Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia for Typhoid Fever.

William was very sick. Unfortunately he would die in the Hospital just 2 days later on January 5, 1864.

William H. Overman was 24 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time. It is quite possible that William is one of the 30,000 Confederate Soldiers buried in a mass unmarked grave in Petersburg's historic Blandford Cemetery.

Here is my relation to William:

William H. Overman 1839-1864
4th cousin 6x removed

Benjamin Franklin Overman 1797-1888
Father of William H. Overman

Charles Overman 1745-1806
Father of Benjamin Franklin Overman

Charles Overman 1710-1806
Father of Charles Overman

Jacob Overman 1678-1715
Father of Charles Overman

Jacob Overman 1652-1715
Father of Jacob Overman

Charles Overman 1686-1755
Son of Jacob Overman

Elizabeth Overman 1723-
Daughter of Charles Overman

Winfred Armour 1744-1807
Daughter of Elizabeth Overman

Reuben Keaton 1768-1807
Son of Winfred Armour

Elizabeth George Keaton 1799-1825
Daughter of Reuben Keaton

Stephen B. Pendleton 1804-1863
Son of Elizabeth George Keaton

Martha T. Pendleton 1854-1912
Daughter of Stephen B. Pendleton

Elsie M. Jackson Stokes 1878-1956
Daughter of Martha T. Pendleton

Selby Edward Stokes Sr. 1910-1997
Son of Elsie M. Jackson Stokes

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Selby Edward Stokes Sr.

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes J

Company D

John Duke Wortham was born in Warren County, North Carolina on July 17, 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. John enlisted as a Private in Company D, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment on September 14, 1861 at the age of 19. His brother, Private Alexander Wortham, served in Company K, North Carolina 54th Infantry Regiment. Alexander unfortunately died in a Richmond Hospital on September 28, 1864, shortly after being paroled from Point Lookout.

1st Muster for John

For some reason, John was discharged from the Regiment on the same day he enlisted. The reason for his discharge could have been because he might not have been fit for duty. Disability could have also been the reason for his abrupt discharge.

List showing John was discharged on Sept. 14, 1861

John returned home to Warren County following his discharge. By 1866, he had relocated to Henderson, Granville County where he married Nannie Blackwell on April 14, 1866. He lived an additional 58 years following the end of the Civil War. John Duke Wortham died in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina on May 6, 1923 at the age of 80. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford.

Here's my relation to John:

John Duke Wortham (1842 - 1923)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Frances Ann Blackwell (1805 - 1887)

mother of John Duke Wortham

William Blackwell (1772 - 1849)

father of Frances Ann Blackwell

John Blackwell (1745 - 1818)

father of William Blackwell

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

son of John Blackwell

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company F

James Will Duke

James Will Duke was born in Franklin County, North Carolina on September 23, 1846. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. Although I have no direct relation, James was the 3rd cousin of George Washington Duke, founder of Duke University. James was only 15 years old at the start of the Civil War. His father, Ransom Harris Duke, enlisted in Company B, North Carolina 4th Infantry Regiment in September of 1863, leaving 17 year old James in charge of the family. Ransom was captured sometime in late 1863 and confined to Point Lookout, Maryland where he died on August 8, 1864. James enlisted as a Private in Company F, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment just a little over a month a later on September 20, 1864, just 3 days before his 19th birthday. He was with the Regiment until the bitter end.

Following the end of the Civil War, James relocated to Henderson, Vance County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 50 years. James Will Duke died in Vance County on September 5, 1915 and was buried in the Fullers Chapel Cemetery.

Grave of James Will Duke

Here's my relation to James:

James William "Will" Duke (1846 - 1915)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Ransom Harris Duke (1820 - 1864)

father of James William "Will" Duke

Lucy Green Harris (1803 - 1868)

mother of Ransom Harris Duke

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Lucy Green Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Brigadier General Henry "Old Rock" Lewis Benning: My 5th cousin 6x removed and his son, Captain Seaborn Jones Benning: my 6th cousin 5x removed

2014-06-10T19:39:00.001-04:00

Henry Lewis Benning

Henry Lewis Benning was born in Columbus County, Georgia on April 2, 1814. He is my 5th cousin, 6x removed. Our mutual ancestors, Ambrose Cobbs and Angelica Hunt, were early Virginia colonists. Angelica's father, Robert Hunt was the the Chaplain of the Jamestown Expedition. Henry was also a cousin of Howell and Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb, who I've previously written about.

Prior to the Civil War, Henry attended Franklin College (now the University of Georgia). He graduated in 1834 and began studying law in Talbot County, Georgia. In 1835, after being admitted to the Georgia State Bar, he moved to Columbus, Georgia where he would live the rest of his life. From 1837 - 1839, he served as Solicitor-General. In 1839, Henry married Mary Howard Jones. The couple moved into her father, Colonel Seaborn Jones El Dorado estate, where they raised five children. Mary's father was a well respected attorney. It was only logical for Benning to enter into a law partnership with Col. Jones. The Benning family continued to live at El Dorado until 1868, when the family moved to town for safety reasons. El Dorado lay vacant for 10 years until it was purchased by the Slade family and renamed "St. Elmo" in honor of the novel that was completed there.

Benning's former estate, El Dorado

Benning was an ardent secessionist and was quite active in Southern politics. In a letter to cousin Howell Cobb written in 1849, he stated "that a Southern Confederacy would not be enough—because a Confederacy might itself eventually be become divided into northern and southern regions as slavery waned in some of the states—and called for a Southern "consolidated Republic" that "will put slavery under the control of those most interested in it."

During the Sectional Crisis of 1850, he was one of Georgia's delegates to a convention of nine slave-holding states, held in Nashville, Tennessee, to determine the Southern course of action if slavery were banned in the western territories. The Compromise of 1850 would keep the dogs of secession at bay for the moment.

In 1851, Benning was nominated for U.S. Congress, running as a Southern Rights Democrat, but was not elected. Benning was elected as an Associate Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, where he was noted for an opinion that held that a state supreme court is not bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States on constitutional questions, but that the two courts must be held to be "coordinate and co-equal".

In 1860, Benning was selected as Chairman of Georgia Delegation to the Democratic National Convention. Most of the Southern states chose to walk out of the convention when the national party refused to put a plank supporting slavery into its platform. The split in the Democratic party virtually ensured the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was opposed to the expansion of slavery into the West, but insisted he would not, and could not interfere with the institution where it currently existed. Interestingly enough, Lincoln's opinion would change less than a year later.

Benning delivered a speech to the Georgia General Assembly on November 19, 1860, which urged immediate secession. He ended the speech by saying “let us do our duty; and what is our duty? I say, men of Georgia, let us lift up our voices and shout, ‘Ho! for independence!’ Let us follow the examples of our ancestors, and prove ourselves worthy sons of worthy sires!” In addition to delivering his speech, Benning also presided over Georgia's secession convention and and helped to draft the State’s Ordinance of Secession. Following Georgia's secession in January of 1861, Benning was sent to Virginia, a State that was still debating secession, where he again delivered his speech in front of Virginia's secession convention urging Virginia to follow Georgia in seceding from the Union.

At the onset of the Civil War, Benning helped raise troops that would eventually become the 17th Georgia Infantry Regiment. He was commissioned as Colonel of the Unit on August 29, 1861. Benning was considered for a cabinet position in the government of the newly formed Confederate States of America, but instead chose to serve in a military capacity. The 17 Georgia Infantry Regiment was assigned to General Robert Toomb's Brigade in the Right Wing of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

Benning's son, Seaborn Jones Benning, my 6th cousin 5x removed, also rendered his services to the Confederacy. Seaborn was born July 8, 1840 in Cullman, Alabama. On September 4, 1861, Seaborn was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant of the 1st Georgia Regulars.

As a newly commissioned Confederate Officer, Henry Lewis Benning began to run into difficulty concerning the politics of the new government. He was adamantly opposed to the Confederate Conscription Act of 1862, and often spoke out against it openly. His outspokenness and refusal to follow certain orders almost led to his court martial, however intervention from his cousin, Colonel Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb, defused the situation.

Although he fought in the Seven Days Battle in June of 1862, the first significant action in which Colonel Benning participated was the Second Battle of Bull Run/Manassas on August 28-30, 1862 where his Brigade assisted in sweeping all the Union resistance off Chinn Ridge. There he earned the nickname "Old Rock" for his steadfastness in battle. On September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, Benning's Brigade was a crucial part in the defense of the Confederate Right Flank, guarding "Burnside's Bridge" across Antietam Creek all morning against repeated Federal assaults. The Brigade's actions allowed time for Confederate reinforcements to arrive and prevent a complete rout of the Confederate army.

Brigadier General Henry Lewis Benning

On April 23, 1863, Henry Lewis Benning was promoted to Brigadier General. The promotion had an effective date of January 17, 1863 and frequently put him in command of John Bell Hood's Division of James Longstreet's First Corps, of which his Brigade was attached. As Benning was promoted, so was his son. On January 17, 1863, Seaborn was promoted to Captain and transferred to his father's command as his adjutant. His promotion was made official on April 30, 1863.

Benning missed the Confederate route at Chancellorsville due to being stationed in Southern Virginia. His Brigade returned to action in the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, Brigadier General Benning led his Brigade on an unsuccessful assault on the Federal position at Little Round Top. During his charge on the Federal position in the "Devil's Den", his son Captain Seaborn Jones Benning, was shot in the left thigh.

General Benning's after battle report makes reference to the wounding of his son:

"To my staff--Capt. Seaborn J. Benning, adjutant, Lieut. John R. Mott, aide, and Lieut. Herman H. Perry, brigade inspector, voluntarily acting as aide---I was much indebted. They performed well duties that kept them in almost constant danger. The former having been disabled by a wound, the whole weight of staff duty toward the end of the fight fell upon the two latter."

The full context of Brigadier General Benning's after battle report for the Battle of Gettysburg can be read here: Denning's Gettysburg After Battle Report

In September of 1863, Longstreet's Corps was sent to the Western Theater to aid General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee. On September 19-20, 1863, Benning's Brigade participated in the Bloody Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, which resulted in an overwhelming Confederate victory. Reinforced by Longstreet's Corps, Bragg's Army of Tennessee delivered the most significant defeat to the Federal Army in the Western Theater. The battle involved the second highest number of casualties following the Battle of Gettysburg.

Battle of Chickamauga (lithograph by Kurz and Allison, 1890)

On the second day of battle, General Benning participated in Longstreet's valiant charge against a gap in the Federal line. During the charge, Benning's horse was shot from under him. Causing no delay, he mounted another horse, who was also shot from under him and killed. Finally, he commandeered a horse from a nearby Artillery Battery and rode into combat bareback. During a surprise Federal counter-attack against his Brigade, many of the men in his command fled. General Benning rode off to Longstreet to report the catastrophe. Riding an old artillery horse and whipping it with a piece of rope, Longstreet wrote after the war that Benning was "Greatly excited and the very picture of despair." Benning said, "General, I am ruined; my brigade was suddenly attacked and every man killed; not one is to be found. Please give me orders where I can do some fighting." Longstreet responded impassively, "Nonsense, General, you are not so badly hurt. Look about you. I know you will find at least one man, and with him on his feet report your brigade to me, and you two shall have a place in the fighting line." Longstreet's reply shamed Benning, but gave him enough determination to return to find his Brigade and prevail in the battle.

Following the Confederate victory at Chickamauga, Benning's Brigade also took part in the Battle of Wauhatchie on October 28-29, 1863. The Unit was also instrumental in Longstreet's Knoxville Campaign in the fall of 1863. By the spring of 1864, Benning's Brigade returned to Virginia where they took part in defending against Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign.

On May 5, 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness, General Benning was severely wounded by a minié ball through his left shoulder. His injury kept him out of the rest of the Overland Campaign and much of the subsequent Siege of Petersburg. After Benning recovered, he assumed command of his Brigade in Petersburg, Virginia, in November of 1864. His Brigade withstood strong Federal assaults against its entrenched position, but was forced to withdraw along with the rest of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in their retreat to Appomattox in April of 1865. Both father and son would surrender on April 5, 1865. They were each paroled on April 9th.

Captain Seaborn Jones Benning's Parole

Not much is known about Captain Seaborn Jones Benning's life following the end of the Civil War. He lived an additional 9 years following the war's end and died in Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia on December 12, 1874 at the age of 34. He was buried in Linwood Cemetery in Columbus County, Georgia.

Grave of Captain Seaborn Jones Benning

After the Civil War, Henry Lewis Benning returned home to a devastating economic situation. Much of his wealth had been invested in slaves and land. The slaves were now freedmen and much of his land had been ruined. His house had been burned down and all his savings had disappeared.

Henry Lewis Benning late in life

Benning returned to Columbus and resumed his law practice. He began to try to rebuild his life. The loss of his son in 1874 weighed heavy on him. On July 10, 1875, on his way to a court appearance, Henry Lewis Benning suffered a stroke and died. The General was buried alongside his wife and son in Linwood Cemetery in Columbus County, Georgia.

Grave of Henry Lewis Benning

Historical Marker outside of Linwood Cemetery

The marker reads:

"BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY LEWIS BENNING
Born in Columbia County, Georgia, on April 2, 1814, Henry L. Benning attended Franklin College prior to practicing law in Columbus. As a local attorney and state Supreme Court Judge, Benning played an active role in Georgia’s secession in 1861. Entering the Civil War as Colonel of the 17th Georgia Infantry Regiment, he eventually became a brigadier general. He was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness but continued his leadership of “Benning’s Brigade” until the surrender at Appomattox. After the war, Benning returned to Columbus and resumed his law practice. He died on July 10, 1875. Fort Benning is named in his honor.
Erected by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Lizzie Rutherford Chapter 60, United Daughters of the Confederacy 2012"

Confederate Military History, vol. VII, p. 395 describes General Benning as:

"General Benning was one of Nature's noblemen, formed in her very finest mould and most lavish prodigality. As an attorney he was open, candid and fair; as a jurist, spotless and impartial; as a warrior and patriot, brave, disinterested and sincere; and as a man and citizen, his whole life produced in those who knew him the constant vibration of those chords which answer to all that is true and noble and generous and manly.

He was a fine specimen of physical manhood, quite six feet tall, of noble presence and bearing. After a short and sudden illness he died on July 10, 1875. His wife had died on June 28, 1868."

In 1918 the United States Army established its Infantry School at a Camp located partly in Muscogee County and partly in Chattahoochee County. At the request of the Columbus Rotary Club, the Camp and later Fort was named for Benning.

Here's my relation to Henry Lewis Benning:

Henry Lewis Benning (1814 - 1875)

is your 5th cousin 6x removed

Pleasant Moon Benning (1783 - 1845)

father of Henry Lewis Benning

Sarah Cobb (1756 - 1809)

mother of Pleasant Moon Benning

Thomas Addison Cobb Sr (1723 - 1832)

father of Sarah Cobb

John Cobb (1700 - 1775)

father of Thomas Addison Cobb Sr

Robert Cobbs (1660 - 1727)

father of John Cobb

Robert Cobbs (1626 - 1682)

father of Robert Cobbs

Ambrose Cobb (1662 - 1718)

son of Robert Cobbs

Robert Cobb (1687 - 1769)

son of Ambrose Cobb

Elizabeth Cobb (1724 - 1780)

daughter of Robert Cobb

Reuben Benjamin Eaton Moss Sr. (1737 - 1819)

son of Elizabeth Cobb

Howell Cobb Moss Sr. (1773 - 1831)

son of Reuben Benjamin Eaton Moss Sr.

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

son of Howell Cobb Moss Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Benjamin Lucious Moss

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Wife and Sons of the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia: Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, George Washington Custis Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee & Robert E. Lee, Jr.

2014-06-09T19:31:00.003-04:00

Mary Anna Randolph Custis is my 5th cousin, 7x removed through our mutual ancestor, Richard Cocke (1597-1665). Richard Cocke is my 11th Great Grandfather and was Mary Anna's 3rd Great Grandfather.

Richard Cocke (1597-1665)

Richard Cocke was born in 1597 at Pickthorn, Stottesdon, Shropshire, England. His actual birth date is not known, however it is known that he was baptized at Sidbury in Shropshire on December 13, 1597. Not much is known of his early life in England. There are records of him appearing in court as an attorney, so it is safe to assume he was both literate and well educated.

When Richard was 30 years old he left England and emigrated to the New World. He arrived in the Jamestown Colony in 1627 on board the vessel "Saint Christopher". The first record of Richard in The Colonies was his testimony in the Jamestown court on December 24, 1627. On June 5, 1632, Richard married Temperance Bailey. Temperance was the daughter of Cicely Jordan Farrar, who was one of the earliest settlers in the Jamestown Colony, having arrived in August of 1610 as a child on board the ship "the Swan".

Richard prospered in the New World, amassing over 10,916 acres of land that spread over three plantation sites; his home Bremo, Malvern Hill and Curles. The Malvern Hill property was inherited by his son, Thomas and later became the site of the infamous Battle of Malvern Hill in 1862. Nothing remains of his home Bremo, which was reported to have been destroyed by Federal gunboats during the Civil War.

Richard served as a member of the House of Burgesses periodically throughout his life. Records show he represented the Weyanoke district in 1632 and Henrico in 1644 and again in1654. He was also a Colonel of the local militia and a justice of the court. Richard died on October 4, 1665 and was buried in the orchard of his Bremo plantaion. Other notable descendents of Richard Cocke are George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee

Mary Anna Randolph Custis was born at Annefield in Clarke county, Virginia on October 1, 1807. Her father, George Washington Parke Custis was the step-grandson and adopted son of George Washington. Mary was the only surviving child born to George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Lee Fitzhugh. She was classically educated, having learned both the Greek and Latin languages. Mary also enjoyed politics and reading. After the death of her father, she edited and published his writings as "Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington, by his Adopted Son George Washington Parke Custis, with a Memoir of this Author by his Daughter".

On June 30, 1831, Mary Anna Randolph Custis and Robert Edward Lee were married at her parents home, Arlington House. The following fall, the couple would have their first of seven children, a son name George Washington Custis Lee. All three of their sons would follow in their fathers footsteps and serve in the Confederate Army.

Arlington House

Upon her father's death in 1857, Mary inherited Arlington House. While at Arlington House, Mary enjoyed entertaining guests and was a gracious hostess. Like her father, she also enjoyed painting landscapes, some of which are still on display throughout the house. Mary was also deeply religious and attended Episcopal services as often as possible. She taught her slaves how to read and write and was an advocate of emancipation. Mary suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, which got increasingly more debilitating through the years. By the start of the Civil War in 1861, she was using a wheel chair.

Mary Custis Lee late in life

Mary wasn't quick to leave her home at the onset of the Civil War, staying at Arlington up until May 15, 1861. Earlier in the month she had received correspondence from her husband stating:

"War is inevitable, and there is no telling when it will burst around you . . . You have to move and make arrangements to go to some point of safety which you must select. The Mount Vernon plate and pictures ought to be secured. Keep quiet while you remain, and in your preparations . . . May God keep and preserve you and have mercy on all our people."

She sought refuge among the several plantations in her family. In May of 1862, Mary was caught behind Federal lines at her son Rooney's White House plantation in New Kent County Virginia. As Federal forces moved up the York and Pamunky Rivers, Union Commander George Brinton McClellan allowed her safe passage through the Federal lines so she could get to Richmond. Mary and her daughters settled in Richmond for a time before moving west to her cousin, John Hartwell Cocke's plantation in Fluvanna County Virginia, also named Bremo. She remained at Cocke's Bremo plantation until November of 1865.

John Hartwell Cocke (1780-1866) was also my 5th cousin 7x removed. I've previously written about John and his son, Brigadier General Philip St. George Cocke.

Brigadier General Philip St. George Cocke's blog entry

Following the war, Mary and Robert briefly lived in Powhatan County before moving to Lexington, where Robert became president of Washington College, later named Washington & Lee University. She outlived Robert by three years. Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee died in Lexington Virginia on November 5, 1873 at the age of 65. She was buried next to Robert in Lee family crypt at Lee Chapel.

Mary's grave at Lee Chapel

Here's my relation to Mary:

Mary Anna Randolph Custis (1808 - 1873)

is your 5th cousin 7x removed

Mary Molly Lee Fitzhugh (1788 - 1853)

mother of Mary Anna Randolph Custis

Anne Bolling Randolph (1747 - 1805)

mother of Mary Molly Lee Fitzhugh

Lucy Bolling (1719 - 1767)

mother of Anne Bolling Randolph

Anne Meriwether Cocke (1685 - 1749)

mother of Lucy Bolling

Richard Cocke II (1639 - 1706)

father of Anne Meriwether Cocke

Richard Cocke (1597 - 1665)

father of Richard Cocke II

Thomas Cocke (1639 - 1696)

son of Richard Cocke

Capt Thomas Cocke (1664 - 1707)

son of Thomas Cocke

Brazure Cocke (1694 - 1770)

son of Capt Thomas Cocke

William Cocke (1715 - 1797)

son of Brazure Cocke

Sarah Sallie Cocke (1730 - 1785)

daughter of William Cocke

Nancy Ann Daniel (1776 - 1843)

daughter of Sarah Sallie Cocke

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

son of Nancy Ann Daniel

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Benjamin Lucious Moss

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

George Washington Custis Lee

George Washington Custis Lee was the eldest son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Custis. He is my 6th cousin 6x removed through his mother and my 5th cousin 6x removed through his father. Custis, as he was referred to during his life, was born at Fort Monroe, Virginia on September 16, 1832. He was well educated from an early age in hopes to prepare him for his fathers footsteps. When Custis was 16, he applied to the United States Military Academy at West Point but was not accepted. This prompted his father to write a letter on his son's behalf to the Commanding General of the United States Army, Winfield Scott. Scott had been Lee's commanding officer in the Mexican War. After a few strings were pulled, President Zachary Taylor then nominated Custis to West Point, where he was accepted at age 17.

Daguerreotype of Custis while attending West Point

Custis attended West Point from 1850 - 1854. He was almost expelled toward the end of his first year after alcohol was found in his room. He denied any involvement and was given a minor punishment. Custis showed great aptitude both academically and militarily during his second year. His father became the Superintendent of West Point at the beginning of his third year. Certainly his fathers presence influenced his scholastics. In 1854, Custis graduated first in his class of forty six. Other notable people from his class include J.E.B. Stuart, William Dorsey Pender and John Pegram.

Following his graduation, Custis was commissioned as a brevat 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers, primarily serving in Georgia, Florida and California. In 1855, he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army. Custis attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1859. He was stationed in Washington D.C. during the period of secession and the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Following Virginia's secession in the Spring of 1861, Custis tendered his resignation about 2 weeks after his father. He then offered his services to his home state of Virginia.

Custis served in the Virginia state forces until July of 1861 when he was commissioned as a Captain in the Confederate Army. He would spend the next few months working with the Confederate Corps of Engineers to construct fortifications around the new capital city of Richmond. In August of 1861, Custis accepted the position of aide-de-camp to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. With this position came a promotion to the rank of Colonel. During the next three years, Custis was often sent on missions to asses the Confederate forces and their opposition. He would then return to Davis and render his findings. Although Custis spent most of the war working in Davis's office, he did offer to take his brother, Rooney's place as a prisoner of war so that he could go home and be with his dying wife.

Robert E. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia on June 1, 1862. During the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, Custis supervised the engineers at Drewry's Bluff. On June 25, 1863, Custis was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He initially sought out a command position in the field, but was discouraged by President Davis. Upon asking his father to interject, Robert E. Lee replied that "his highest duty was obedience to his superiors", thus ensuring Custis would remain in a staff position. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Custis was given command of the troops in Richmond. In 1864, he was placed in command of Richmond's local defenses, which he supervised from Chaffin's Bluff. On October 20, 1864, Custis was promoted to the rank of Major General.

Robert E. Lee with son Custis on the left

He was finally given a field command shortly before the end of the war. His first field command came on April 6, 1865 during the Battle of Sayler's Creek. This Battle was the death blow to the Confederate Army due to nearly 7,700 Confederate troops being taken prisoner. Nine Confederate Generals were also captured, including Custis. His father would surrender at Appomattox just three days later.

Following the war, Custis again followed in his fathers footsteps, this time following his path as an educator. He was a professor at the Virginia Military Institute until his fathers death in 1870. Custis then succeeded his father serving as the ninth President of Washington & Lee University.


George Washington Custis Lee while President of W&L University

Upon his mother's death in 1873, Custis inherited Arlington House, which had been taken over by the Federal Army in 1861 and used as a headquarters and cemetery during the Civil War. In 1877 Custis sued for the title to his ancestral home. In a case that went as far as the United States Supreme Court. In 1882, the case was decided in his favor by a vote of 5-4. The court agreed that Arlington had been illegally seized and returned the title to its lawful owner. By this time Arlington House had become Arlington Cemetery. Having respect for the dead and knowing he could not return Arlington House to its former glory as a plantation home, Custis sold the property to the United States Government in 1883 for $150,000.

Custis retired from Washington & Lee University in 1887 and moved into his late brother Rooney's platation, Ravensworth. He remained there until his death in 1913. George Washington Custis Lee died at Ravensworth on February 18, 1913. He was 80 years old. Custis was buried alongside his family in the Lee family crypt at Lee Chapel.

Grave of George Washington Custis Lee

The second son born to Robert and Mary was William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee. Rooney, as he was referred to during his life, was born on May 31, 1837 at Arlington House in Arlington, Virginia.

Robert E. Lee and son Rooney circa 1845

Much like his older brother Custis, Rooney was also well educated. Unlike Custis and his father, Rooney chose to attend Harvard University. Classmate Henry Adams described him as "Tall, largely built, handsome, genial, with liberal Virginian openness towards all he liked….For a year, at least, Lee was the most popular and prominent young man in his class, but then seemed slowly to drop into the background,". It was rumored that Rooney also enjoyed a good time and was "apt to drink hard." He was a skilled oarsman and was president of Oneida, a Harvard Rowing Club. Lee family lore states that Rooney and his rowing mates are responsible for Harvard's crimson colors due to the fact they all wore red bandannas while rowing.

Rooney left Harvard in 1857 before graduation, accepting a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. It is said the reason he left school before graduation is because he wanted to make a living so that he could get married, which he did in 1859. He served with the 6th United States Infantry under Albert Sidney Johnston, and served in the Mormon War in the Utah territory. Rooney resigned from the Army in 1859 so that he could operate his White House plantation on the banks of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County Virginia.

Rooney Lee's White House

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Rooney also chose to join in the defense of his native Virginia. He was a skilled horseman and accepted a commission as as Captain in the Confederate Cavalry. Initially, he served in the western part of Virginia under Brigadier General William Loring before being assigned to J.E.B. Stuart's command where he rose through the ranks of 9th Virginia Cavalry, attaining the rank of Colonel on April 29, 1862.

William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee

Under Stuart's command, he participated in the Peninsula Campaign and the famous ride around McClellan's army, where 1,200 Confederate Cavalrymen circled over 100 miles around Federal forces. His troopers defeated the enemy's cavalry at Hawes' Shop on June 13th during this expedition. Federal commander, George B. McClellan, took Rooney's White House plantation as a supply base during the Peninsula Campaign.

In July of 1862, his regiment was assigned to the brigade of his cousin, Fitzhugh Lee. Under his cousin's command, he participated in the 2nd Bull Run/2nd Manassas campaign. Following the Battle of South Mountain, Rooney was promoted to Brigadier General on September 15, 1862. He was unhorsed while crossing a bridge and was severely wounded during the action at Boonsboro . Badly bruised, he lay unconscious on the roadside in full view of the enemy. He managed to escape and met up with the Confederate forces at Antietam.

He commanded the 3rd Brigade of Stuart's Cavalry Division, which consisted of the 5th, 9th, 10th, 15th Virginia Cavalry as well as the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On June 9, 1863, during the Battle of Brandy Station, he was wounded in the leg while leading a series of valiant charges. Following the engagement Stuart remarked of "the handsome and highly satisfactory manner" in which he handled his brigade, and the deplorable loss "for a short time only, it is hoped, of his valuable services. " His helpless condition required months of convalescence. Rooney was sent to Hickory Hill in Ashland, Virginia to recover from his wounds. During his recovery, he was taken prisoner by Federal raiders. Rooney was taken to Fortress Monroe and then shipped to Fort Lafayette in Staten Island, New York where he remained until he was exchanged in March of 1864. He learned of his wife's death while he was in prison.

Upon his return to the Confederate Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on April 23, 1864. Rooney was then given command of a Cavalry Division. He was the youngest Confederate to attain the rank of Major General. He proved to be a capable leader during the final year of the war. During the Battle of Five Forks in April of 1865, he defended against a combined assault by Federal Infantry and Cavalry, while other Confederate commanders ate their lunch. Despite his best efforts, he was ultimately overwhelmed. Just a little over a week later, he surrendered his command alongside his father at Appomattox Court House.

Rooney Lee after the war

Following the end of the Civil War, Rooney returned to his White House plantation where he resumed farming. He served as the president of the Virginia State Agricultural society for several years. He was drawn back into public life in 1875 when he was elected to Virginia State Senate, where he served until 1879. Rooney also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1887 to 1891. William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee passed away shortly after the expiration of his term on October 15, 1891. He was 54 years old when he died. He was originally buried in Alexandria, Virginia before being moved to the Lee family crypt at Lee Chapel in 1922.

Grave of Rooney Lee

The third and youngest son born to Robert and Mary was Robert Edward Lee, Jr. Rob, as he was referred to during his life, was born on October 27, 1843 at Arlington House in Arlington, Virginia.

Robert Edward Lee, Jr.

Like his brothers, Rob had a typical childhood at Arlington House. He learned from an early age to swim and ride a horse. When Rob was a younger child, he enjoyed spending time with his father and namesake. He and his younger sister, Mildred were very close throughout their lives. Rob attended various boarding schools throughout the 1850's. In the fall of 1860, he enrolled in the University of Virginia. Unlike his brothers, Rob is the only Lee son that did not pursue a military career prior to the Civil War. However, when the war started much to his mother's dismay, he enlisted as a Private in the Rockbridge Artillery on March 28, 1862.

Civil War Era Picture of Rob

The Rockbridge Artillery was one of the artillery units that supported Stonewall Jackson's Brigade. On June 9, 1862, at the Battle of Port Republic, the Rockbridge Artillery, commanded by Captain William T. Poague, supported the Confederate attack, and helped prevent the capture of Stonewall Jackson. The following month, at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862, the Rockbridge Artillery expended all of it's ammunition in one of the war's fiercest artillery duels. On August 9th, the unit again supported Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Later that month, the unit assisted in repelling Federal forces at the Second Battle of Manassas. On September 17, 1862, the Rockbridge Artillery sustained heavy losses on Nicodemus Heights and at the Dunkard Church during the Battle of Antietam . Some Confederate gunners dubbed the battle "artillery hell."

Following the Battle of Antietam, Rob was promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned as an aide to his older brother, Custis who was then serving as aide-de-camp to President Davis. Rob assisted his brother in planning the defense of Richmond.

Postwar photo of Rob

After the war, Rob returned home to his Romancocke estate, which he had inherited from his Grandfather, George Washington Parke Custis. In addition to farming his plantation, Rob became a writer. He began to organize his fathers letters and memoirs. His "Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee" was published in 1904. It included memories and accounts of the day-to-day life at Arlington House. In the book, Rob describes his fathers love of animals, particularly horses. He also gives great detail to Robert E. Lee's agonizing decision to resign from the United States Army in order to defend his native Virginia.

Robert Edward Lee, Jr. died on October 19, 1916 at the age of 72. He was buried with his parents and brothers in the Lee family crypt at Lee Chapel.


Lee Chapel at Washington & Lee University

Since I share the same relation to all the Lee brothers, I'm only listing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Robert E. Lee, Jr.:

Capt. Robert "Rob" Edward Lee Jr (1843 - 1916)

is your 6th cousin 6x removed

Mary Anna Randolph Custis (1808 - 1873)

mother of Capt. Robert "Rob" Edward Lee Jr

Mary Molly Lee Fitzhugh (1788 - 1853)

mother of Mary Anna Randolph Custis

Anne Bolling Randolph (1747 - 1805)

mother of Mary Molly Lee Fitzhugh

Lucy Bolling (1719 - 1767)

mother of Anne Bolling Randolph

Anne Meriwether Cocke (1685 - 1749)

mother of Lucy Bolling

Richard Cocke II (1639 - 1706)

father of Anne Meriwether Cocke

Richard Cocke (1597 - 1665)

father of Richard Cocke II

Thomas Cocke (1639 - 1696)

son of Richard Cocke

Capt Thomas Cocke (1664 - 1707)

son of Thomas Cocke

Brazure Cocke (1694 - 1770)

son of Capt Thomas Cocke

William Cocke (1715 - 1797)

son of Brazure Cocke

Sarah Sallie Cocke (1730 - 1785)

daughter of William Cocke

Nancy Ann Daniel (1776 - 1843)

daughter of Sarah Sallie Cocke

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

son of Nancy Ann Daniel

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Benjamin Lucious Moss

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Three Cousins Murdered by Yankees in the Old Albemarle Region of North Carolina

2013-08-28T00:29:00.002-04:00

The Old Albemarle Region of North Carolina

To fully understand the story, I'll have to start from the very beginning. As land in the Tidewater Region of Virginia became more and more scarce in the mid 1600's, early European settlers began to migrate down to Northeastern North Carolina by way of the Dismal Swamp and Pamlico River. These waterways had provided important transportation routes for Native Americans for a thousand years and would continue to play an important part in the region for generations to come.

The Albemarle Region was the first area of North Carolina to be settled. The early European settlers were lured to Northeastern North Carolina due to its rich soil and expansive landscape. More and more settlers began to establish small farms in the area, giving birth to Colonial-era towns like Edenton, Elizabeth City and Hertford. Old Albemarle County was established in 1664 from lands granted to the Lord Proprietors, eight Englishmen who helped King Charles, II regain his throne. In 1689 the county was abolished to create the four counties of Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank and Perquimans.

This area of North Carolina was anything but normal during the American Civil War. The citizens of the Old Albemarle Region had voted for Compromise Candidate, John Bell in the 1860 National Election. When Governor Ellis called for a convention in 1861 to consider removing North Carolina from the Union, many of the people living in the Old Albemarle Region voted against a convention and desired to keep North Carolina in the United States. Many of the early settlers in the region were of the Quaker faith. Most had been conscientious objectors during the American Revolution. By the time of the American Civil War, many locals had had abandoned their Quaker roots and now found themselves members of the local Methodist, Baptist, or Episcopal Churches. Some of the locals who retained their Quaker faith now found themselves among the Unionist minority. Several of the locals who had moved on to the more conventional churches identified with the Secessionists. Members of my family identified with both sides and now found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. Although North Carolina eventually seceded from the Union, the Northeastern part of the State still held a small Unionist minority.

Despite the Unionist minority in the area, many men from this region enlisted their services to the Confederacy. Men from Pasquotank County enlisted in Company A of the North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment (first organization), while men from Perquimans County enlisted in Company F of the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment. Men from the area also served in the North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment. Because of the political and geographical climate, a large force of Confederate irregulars or guerrillas also sprang up. The dense canal system in the Great Dismal Swamp provided safe refuge for runaway slaves, Confederate guerrillas and local Unionists.

Capture of the Forts at Cape Hatteras inlet
Alfred R. Waud, artist, August 28, 1861

In August of 1861, the North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment was garrisoned at Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark in the Hatteras inlet near the North Carolina Outer Banks. On the morning of August 28, 1861, three Federal gunships, the USS Minnesota, USS Wabash and the USS Cumberland began bombarding Fort Clark. By 11:00 am, the USS Susquehanna had joined the fight. The men stationed at Fort Clark began to return fire on the gunboats, but were not successful in hitting their marks. By about 12:30 am, the Confederates had run out of ammunition. Most men abandoned Fort Clark and made way for Fort Hatteras. Meanwhile, Union troops were having trouble with their landings. Rising winds increased the surf and overturned many of their small landing vessels.

Federal General in command, Benjamin Butler had to suspend further attempts to land. Butler tried to make a move on Hatteras by sending the USS Monticello into the inlet. When the Monticello got within range of the Confederate guns, she panicked and became grounded and was struck by 5 shots. As night began to fall, the remaining Federal boats withdrew in the face of poor weather. The Federal troops who had made it to land were hungry and disorganized.

Confederate reinforcements from Fort Ocracoke were transported in from the gunboat CSS Warren Winslow bringing the total number of defenders of Fort Hatteras to roughly 700. More reinforcements were also expected out of New Bern, however they didn't arrive on time. As dawn broke on August 29, 1861, the Federal gunboats resumed their assault on Fort Hatteras. The gunboats found a sweet spot in the inlet where they were out of the effective range of the Confederate guns. The ships maintained their positions and bombarded the Fort with no danger of response. The defenders of Fort Hatteras were left to endure the bombardment. After about three hours, a council of officers was called to seek favorable terms of surrender. Shortly after 11:00 am, a white flag was flown. Federal General Benjamin Butler accepted the surrender and the Confederates were sent North to prison camps. Many of these Confederates were paroled and sent home, vowing not to take up arms against the Unites States until they were formally exchanged. The North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment (first organization) was decimated. The Regiment would never recover and be of further use to Confederate service. Many men from the fallen 17th joined the ranks of Company B, North Carolina 32nd Infantry Regiment. Many others returned home, never returning to the ranks of Confederate service. While others returned home and became involved in local guerrilla activities.

The fall of Forts Hatteras and Clark gave the Union their first notable victory of the Civil War. More importantly, the loss of the two major points of defense in the area also opened up the region to Federal troops.

Union General Ambrose Burnside

In early 1862, Federal General Ambrose E. Burnside began to promote the idea of a Coast Division that would be made up of fisherman, dock workers, and other watermen from the Northeastern States. Burnside reasoned that due to their familiarity with ships and coastlines, they would be ideal for amphibious assaults along the Chesapeake Bay. Burnside's friendship with Federal General-in-Chief George B. McClellan allowed him to get a favorable audience with the Federal War Department. Soon Burnside's original idea had transformed into a plan to assault the inner coastline of North Carolina. This assault would be referred to as the Burnside Expedition and was part of Winfield Scott's "anaconda plan" that aimed to close blockade running ports inside the Outer Banks. Burnside was allowed to organize his Coast Division, comprised of 3 Brigades led by three friends from his West Point days. Brigadier General John Gray Foster led the first Brigade, Brigadier General Jesse Lee Reno led the second Brigade, and Brigadier General John Grubb Park led the third Brigade. By January of 1862, nearly 13,000 men filled the ranks of the Coast Division.

The Burnside Expedition began with the Battle of Roanoke Island. This Battle took place between February 7th - 8th of 1862. This Battle ended in an overwhelming Union victory and built momentum for the continuation of the Expedition. Two major Battles in the campaign took place in the Old Albemarle Region. The Battle of Elizabeth City took place on February 10, 1862 and was waged between 13 Federal gunboats and a force consisting of 5 Confederate gunboats, a small 4 gun Artillery Battery manned by 34 Confederates and a Confederate schooner.

Sketch by an unknown Federal soldier depicting "Jas. H. Raymond taking the rebel flag from the burning gunboat Fanny at the brilliant naval action at Elizabeth City shortly after the capture of Roanoke Island."

The overwhelming firepower of the Federal Navy proved to be too much for the Confederates. Early in the fight, the CSS Black Warrior was lost. Shortly after, the CSS Fanny was run ashore and burned by her own men. A boarding party from the USS Ceres captured the CSS Ellis in brutal hand-to-hand combat. The CSS Sea Bird was rundown and sunk by the USS Commodore Perry. Overall, casualties were light on both sides. The Federal fleet lost 2 men killed and 7 wounded, while the Confederates lost in all 4 killed, 6 wounded, and 34 captured.

Civil War-era picture of the USS Commodore Perry

This was the beginning of the end for the Old Albermarle Region during the Civil War. When they learned of the destruction of their fleet and the impending Federal invasion, the Confederates set fire to Elizabeth City under orders of Brigadier General Henry A. Wise. Many thought it best to set fire to their houses and retreat by the light, as the Russians had successfully done at Moscow when invaded by Napoleon. Two blocks were burned before men from the Federal flotilla arrived in time to put out the fires. Although several blocks were spared by the invading Federals, this act did little to gain favor among the local population.

Following the Battle of Elizabeth City, Burnside's forces laid claim to the city of New Bern with their victory on March 14, 1862. Unlike Elizabeth City, Federal forces actually garrisoned the town of New Bern and set up a Union base that was occupied until the end of the war.

Historical Marker for the Battle of South Mills

On April 19, 1862, Burnside's forces returned to the Old Albemarle Region, this time attempting to destroy the Canal locks at South Mills, in Camden County. The Federal War department had recently learned that the Confederate Navy was building ironclads in Norfolk. Burnside planned an expedition to destroy the Dismal Swamp Canal locks to prevent the transfer of these ships to the Albemarle Sound. A piecemeal Confederate force consisting of elements of General Ambrose Wright's 3rd Georgia Infantry, Ferebee's North Carolina Militia, McComa's Battery and Gillett's Southhampton Cavalry Company were able to protect the locks from the invading Federals.

Although the Federals were defeated at the Battle of South Mills, it wouldn't be the last time they would visit the Old Albermarle Region. The destruction of Forts Clark and Hatteras coupled with the defeat at the Battle of Elizabeth City now opened up the Region to Federal incursion at anytime.

On May 10, 1862, the city of Norfolk, Virginia was surrendered to Federal General John Ellis Wool and his command of 6,000 Union soldiers. For the remainder of the war, Norfolk would remain under Union control. Norfolk is less than 50 miles from Elizabeth City, which is the county seat of Pasquotank County, North Carolina. With New Bern and Norfolk both being garrisoned by different components of the Federal Army, raiding parties into the Old Albemarle Region were frequent. The major cities in the Old Albemarle Region, (Edenton, Elizabeth City and Hertford) were never permanently garrisoned by Federal Troops although Union soldiers often visited and took supplies from the area. Other towns in Eastern North Carolina weren't as lucky.

The town of Little Washington fell into Union hands in April of 1862. A Federal force under the command of Union Lieutenant Commander A. Murray debarked from their gunship in the Pamlico River and marched to the court house where they raised the American flag. The troops noticed that there was a high degree of pro-union sentiment in the population of the town. Murray wrote to his superiors in the Federal War Department that the "woods and swamps of this County are represented as being alive with refugees from the draft .... They are deep and bitter in their denunciation of the Secession heresy, and promise a regiment if called to aid in the restoration of the flag."

Many local men from the area made good on their offer and the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteer Regiment was born. Edward A. Potter, a Captain on General John Gray Foster's staff was promoted to Colonel and made Commander of the Regiment.

Recruitment Poster for the 1st NC Union Volunteers

On May 1, 1861, Federal soldiers began posting the above recruitment poster in the towns of Northeastern North Carolina. The poster promised that any volunteer for the Regiment would be "under the protection of the United States" and that they would be paid, clothed and fed by the Federal Government. This was very enticing to the poor farmers in the area who were barely able to make a living due to their close proximity to several large plantations. The poster also offered a thinly veiled threat from the Federal Government stating "The Government would not protect those who make no effort to protect themselves."

By June of 1862, the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers, had enough men to outfit a Company. A Company of the 9th New York Infantry Regiment was sent to Plymouth, North Carolina to protect the new Union volunteers. Federal gunboats were also stationed in the river to offer additional protection. In August of 1862, Recruiting posts were established in the Northeastern counties. With Norfolk and New Bern being the only towns in the area that were permanently occupied by Federal troops, recruiting in the other towns in the area became a dangerous job. Company D from Pasquotank/Camden County was organized with great difficulty. A cocky Chicago native named Enos Sanders was made Captain of Company D.

General John Gray Foster

In July of 1862, General Burnside was transferred to Virginia. Command of the Department of North Carolina was passed to 1st Brigade commander, John Gray Foster. Foster was promoted to Major General and also assumed command of the North Carolina 1st Union Volunteers.

The term "buffaloe" began being used to refer to these new Union Volunteers from North Carolina. The Confederate majority in the area began to view these men as traitors. The answer is complex as to why a native North Carolinian would chose to join a Federal Regiment. Many of these men were anti-slavery and had opposed secession. Some of these men wanted to "teach a lesson" to the planter class. Others were poor farmers who were looking to make money to feed their families. The financial incentives of Union service attracted many poor whites who were motivated by the Bounties that paid recruits $100 for enlisting in 1862. This amount was more than some men made in an entire year.

My 2nd Great Grand Uncle, Benjamin Pendleton enlisted as a Private in Company D, 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers on September 17, 1862 in Pasquotank County. Benjamin was 21 years old at the time of his enlistment and had been a farmer prior to the war. Benjamin will be the focus of his own entry some time in the future.

Many buffaloes began to commit depredations against their neighbors. Men who had been poor all their lives now began to assert their new found power over their more prosperous neighbors. Local Confederate sympathizers began to form small bands of Militia and Home Guards to protect their assets. The yankees often referred to these irregular units as guerrillas. Since the opposing groups were comprised of relatives and neighbors, tensions rose quickly.

Captain Enos Sanders and Company D of the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers made their base at Shiloh township in Camden County. Camden had the most pro-union sentiment of all the counties in the Old Albemarle Region. In September of 1862, Captain Sanders returned from a recruiting expedition in Pasquotank County to find local Confederates had captured men and equipment from his base at Shiloh. His men would be at risk from small scale attacks by Confederate sympathizers through out the war.

The home where Thomas Mullen Newby was murdered

It is not known why Federal troops visited the house of my 4th cousin 7x removed, Thomas Newby, in November of 1862. Newby was one of the largest slave owners in Perquimans County according to the 1860 Federal Census. For whatever reason, probably looking for supplies or encouraging emancipation among the slaves, Federal troops entered the house of Thomas Newby on November 20, 1862. It is my belief that an argument commenced between one of the Federal Officers and Thomas Newby's son, Thomas Mullen Newby. One could only assume that Newby was not pleased with the Federal invasion of his father's home. Although it is not known why Federal troops were at the Newby House, the one thing that is known is that Thomas Mullen Newby was shot and killed by a Federal Officer. Thomas Mullen Newby was only 37 years old when he was murdered by the hands of a Yankee Officer. His burial location is not known at this time. Following the death of his son, Thomas Newby moved to Hertford for safety. He joined his son in death a year later in 1863.

Here's my relation to Thomas Mullen:

Thomas Mullen Newby 1825-1862
5th cousin 4x removed

Thomas Newby 1793-1863
Father of Thomas Mullen Newby

Exum Newby 1762-1793
Father of Thomas Newby

Sarah Scott 1726-1786
Mother of Exum Newby

Joseph Scott 1728-
Father of Sarah Scott

Stephen Scott 1700-1752
Father of Joseph Scott

Elizabeth Mayo 1670-1716
Mother of Stephen Scott

Ann Keaton 1695-1734
Daughter of Elizabeth Mayo

Sarah Symons 1741-1807
Daughter of Ann Keaton

Ann Pritchard 1765-1825
Daughter of Sarah Symons

Mariah White 1806-1870
Daughter of Ann Pritchard

Martha M. Riddick 1828-1898
Daughter of Mariah White

Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Martha M. Riddick

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

When Abraham Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation" went into effect on January 1, 1863, the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers began going from farm to farm in Northeastern North Carolina, encouraging slaves to emancipate themselves. As slave labor began to phase out, tensions continued to grow. The Confederate majority in the area didn't like the fact that their farms were subject to Union invasion at any time. They especially didn't like the freeing of their slaves. Some of the former slaves were given arms and were encouraged to join their emancipators. In early January of 1863, Captain Enos Sanders enlisted between 80-250 African Americans into the Federal Army. He began to drill them in the streets of Elizabeth City. The local Home Guard or guerrillas began to watch the every move of their enemy.

On January 5, 1863, as they were returning from a local party celebrating emancipation in Elizabeth City, two Federal soldiers were ambushed and killed by local guerrillas. One of the Federal soldiers that was killed was 1st Lieutenant Nathan H. Sanders, brother of Captain Enos Sanders. Company D filled the streets of Elizabeth City and killed 3 of the guerrillas, while another 5 were taken prisoner. One of the 5 men taken prisoner was my 2nd cousin 5x removed, Addison White. Unfortunately for Addison, he was caught with a rifle on his shoulder. Sanders was enraged. He began to fire off letters to his superiors. A letter dated January 6, 1863 stated "The Guerrillas have killed my brother… and I am compelled to revenge his death. We have three or four of the devils which I intend to hang." Sanders didn't follow through with his threat immediately. Addison and his guerrilla associates were confined to the prison in Elizabeth City. Local Pasquotank resident, Thaddeus Cox of Company D was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant to replace Nathan Sanders.

The Red Marker shows the location of the Jonathan White House

The land east of the Chowan River is fertile and lush. Many farms in that area date back to the late 1600's. Members of my family still live on and farm land that has been in my family since the 1700's. My Great Aunt lives in a house in Belvidere, Perquimans County, that was built by my 5th Great Granduncle, Jonathan White, Sr. in 1798. Jonathan was the grandfather of Addison White. Addison White was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina in 1832. The 1860 Federal Census shows that Addison had relocated to Pasquotank County. It is not clear why Addison chose to join up with the local guerrillas. Confederate Sympathizer and local journalist, Richard Benbury Creecy described Addison White as an "obstinate, unyielding and intense Confederate of the stalwart type." He goes on to state that Addison "made no confession."

Normally I try to stick as close to the facts as possible but I'm going to break from that and interject my own opinion here. It is my belief that these guerrillas were first and foremost loyal North Carolinians. I believe that having an occupying Federal force in their back yard, who took their supplies at any given time probably wore pretty thin on these men. These men also disdained the fact that their farms were now being used to provision the occupying Federal Army. After emancipation, these men faced a new threat of armed African Americans. Freed slaves in the area that chose to join the emancipating Federal army were given rifles and were now used to further intimidate the local Confederate majority. Both buffaloes and guerrillas alike were known to cause depredations to the local citizens of the Old Albemarle Region. It wasn't unlikely to see Confederates on your property one day and then Yankees the next. My family owns a plate that was part of a china set owned by my relatives in Perquimans County during the war. They buried the china along with other valuables in their garden to "prevent them from being stolen by the invading Yankees."

China plate that was part of set buried in my family's garden during the Civil War

The day after Addison White was taken prisoner, it was reported that a known local Confederate had snuck into town and was hiding in his home. Sergeant Edward Fowler of the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers led a search party of seven armed African Americans to the house of the Confederate. Upon answering the door, his wife was shocked to see armed blacks. She wrote a letter to her husband stating "the first thing I saw was a negro with a musket. You may be sure I was angry. I endeavored to restrain my feelings knowing we were in their power, but oh my dear, it is hard to bear". The use of armed African Americans both shocked and frightened the local citizens of Northeastern North Carolina.

Thaddeus and Mary Ann Cox

Addison White remained a prisoner for a little over a month. Following his promotion to Lieutenant, Thaddeus Cox of the 1st North Carolina Union Volunteers was warned of threats from the Confederate guerrillas. On February 9, 1863, Cox and his family piled in a wagon and began to travel to safe haven in Pasquotank County. Cox and his family were escorted by 4 men from his Regiment and 10 armed African Americans. Unfortunately for Cox, the local guerrillas were informed of his movements. As the party passed over the bridge at Newbegun Creek, the guerrillas opened fire. Cox and his four year old daughter, Martha were killed instantly. His wife, Mary Ann, was mortally wounded in the shoulder by a bullet and died shortly after.

When Sanders received the news of Cox's death, he was enraged. Federal soldiers and local unionists began to cry out for revenge. They called out for all the guerrillas that were being held prisoner to be killed immediately. Surely his brothers recent death had something to do with his reaction. For whatever reason, Sanders refused to have all the Confederates rounded up and shot. He did order that Addison White be brought out of the prison. The angry mob took Addison to the Waterfront where they tied him up. Captain Enos Sanders then shot and killed Addison White as the crowd looked on. Sanders wouldn't allow Addison's family to retrieve his body until the next day. Although Addison had no involvement whatsoever in the death of Lieutenant Cox and his family, he was killed by Sanders on the Elizabeth City Waterfront on February 9, 1863. Captain Sanders presumably murdered Addison White for the selfish reason of avenging his brothers Nathan's death, an event that Addison had not been formally charged with involvement.

Historical Marker in Elizabeth City marking where Addison White was killed

Addison White was only 31 years old at the time of his death. He left behind a 23 year old wife, Alethia, that he had married in 1859. Addison's burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to Addison:

Addison White 1832-1863
2nd cousin 5x removed

Jonathan White Jr. 1803-1860
Father of Addison White

Jonathan White Sr. 1766-1823
Father of Jonathan White Jr.

Thomas White Jr. 1730-1809
Father of Jonathan White Sr.

Orpah White 1775-1819
Daughter of Thomas White Jr.

Jemima Robinson 1800-1841
Daughter of Orpah White

Jonathan White 1829-1878
Son of Jemima Robinson

Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Jonathan White

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr

The murder of Addison White was one of the last events in the Federal military career of Captain Enos Sanders. On February 26, 1863 Sanders requested a leave of absence that would allow him to travel to Norfolk, Virginia and prepare his brothers body for transport.

Federal General Innis Newton Palmer

Meanwhile a new Yankee sheriff was in town. Federal General Innis Newton Palmer had recently taken charge of the newly formed Albemarle District, which included Edenton, Elizabeth City and Plymouth. Palmer was a West Point graduate and veteran of the Mexican war. He attempted to restore some sort of order to the Old Albemarle Region.

Palmer brought in Major J.W. Wallis at the end of February with a Company the 8th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and one from the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as reinforcements. Wallis now assumed command of the Elizabeth City recruiting post, however Captain Sanders continued to recruit in the area until his resignation in May.

When Palmer visited Elizabeth City for the first time in March of 1863, he found the citizens to be afraid and in a panic. Some citizens of Elizabeth City began to tell Palmer of the depredations they had faced at the hands of Union Soldiers. Some went on to complain that they were missing several pieces of silver. While in Elizabeth City, Palmer also began to receive several complaints about the murder of Addison White. In May of 1863, Palmer ordered Wallis to "disarm any blacks and restrict any resupply missions or raids outside Elizabeth City unless they were under close supervision by commissioned officer."

Palmer continued to receive complaints about the depredations Sanders committed while in charge of the Elizabeth City recruiting office. Most of the complaints were regarding Sanders public murder of Addison White. General Palmer initiated an investigation of Sanders role in the death of Addison White and the acts he committed while in Elizabeth City.

On May 23, 1863, Captain Sanders penned a letter to Lieutenant Colonel McChesney where he apologized for "any acts or neglect that I have been guilty of that would tend to injure discipline."   Three days later, while at the Federal Military base in Little Washington, North Carolina, Captain Enos Sanders tendered his resignation, effective immediately, stating: "Private business at home requires his immediate attention and have failed to procure a leave of absence therefore this unconditional and immediate." On June 5, 1863, Sanders was honorably discharged from his service in the Federal Army.   He returned to his home of Chicago, Illinois.

As Palmer's investigation continued, more and more depredations against the people of the Old Albemarle Region began to come to light. Satisfied that he had enough evidence to charge Sanders, on November 12, 1863, General Palmer sent a message to the Provost General in Springfield, Illinois stating “You will make every effort to discover and arrest one E.C. Sanders, late Captain in the 1st NCUV.” On November 24, 1863, a description of Sanders was sent to Federal Lieutenant Colonel James Oakes in Springfield, Illinois. Nearly one month later, on December 23, 1863, Enos C. Sanders was arrested in Illinois. On December 27th, Sanders was sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois.   Sanders was then sent by train to New Bern, North Carolina where he arrived on January 6, 1864. Sanders remained confined at New Bern until September of 1864. Unfortunately the evidence against Sanders "disappeared." It is my belief that a former crony of his in the Federal Army "made" the evidence disappear. In any event, on September 3, 1864 General Palmer released Sanders by making the following statement, "Documentary evidence in the case of Captain Sanders has been lost, he is hereby released from arrest and permitted to leave the District of NC when he sees fit."   Fearing repercussion from the guerrillas, Sanders wasted no time getting out of town.

It would later come to light that Sanders wasn't even a citizen of the United States.   He was actually Canadian. Sanders lied about his place of birth when he enlisted in the Federal Army. He claimed that he was from Chicago, Illinois. In reality, Sanders and his wife, Mary were both from Nova Scotia, Canada and had been married there just before the war. If Sanders couldn't prove that he was a legal resident of the United States, he wouldn't be eligible for a Pension. Sanders and his wife concocted a story about how they were married in Chicago in 1857 when he applied for his Veterans Pension in 1866. Conveniently for him, the minister they claimed had married them had passed away by the time of his application. Although Sanders had fled rather quickly from North Carolina following his discharge, the good ol' North State wouldn't release her grip on him quite as easily.   Enos Sanders died on July 20, 1867 from an illness he had contracted several years before while reigning terror in North Carolina. It is believed Sanders was around the age of 40 when he died. This seems fair due to the innocent lives he cut short while in North Carolina. His wife, Mary would continue their lie about being born in Illinois when applying for a widow's pension in 1867.

The murder of Addison White both shocked and frightened the citizens of the Old Albemarle Region. Unfortunately, things would only get worse. In December of 1863, General John Gray Foster was sent to Tennessee, where he was placed in command of the Department of Ohio. Foster commanded this unit for a short time before he was injured in a fall from his horse. Once Foster recovered from his injury, he took command of the Department of the South and was instrumental in the surrender of Savannah, Georgia.

Federal Major General Benjamin F. Butler

In November of 1863, Major General Benjamin "Beast" Butler was given command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. Butler had been instrumental in the capture of New Orleans in May of 1862. Butler was already unpopular in the South due to his General Order No. 28 of May 15, 1862 which stated "if any woman should insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States, she shall be regarded and shall be held liable to be treated as a "woman of the town plying her avocation", i.e., a prostitute." This was in response to women throwing buckets of their own urine on the occupying Federals soldiers as they marched in the streets of New Orleans. Butler's order gave Federal soldiers the authority to treat unladylike women as men. For instance, if a woman punched a Federal soldier, the soldier now had the authority to punch her back. This order was unpopular in both the North and South as well as parts of Europe. It led to the use of the nickname "beast" when referring to Butler.

Butler also picked up another nickname, "Spoons" during the Civil War. This nickname was a direct result of Butler pilfering the silverware of the Southern homes in which he occupied during the war. Butler used his time in New Orleans to amass a personal fortune from it's citizens. Butler was known to confiscate cotton and then rig the bidding of the cotton auctions in his own favor. At the time of his death, it was reported that Butler's estate was worth nearly $7 million dollars, most of which came from his time in New Orleans.

Butlers actions caused Confederate President Jefferson Davis to issue General Order No. 111 which identified Butler as "a felon deserving capital punishment, who if captured should be reserved for execution." His time in New Orleans grew unpopular favor in the North and prompted President Lincoln to authorize his recall in December of 1862. "Beast" Butler was both directly and indirectly involved in depredations against loyal Confederates in New Orleans. The acts of depredations against the Southern citizen would continue with his new assignment as head of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina.

Political Cartoon from 1863 depicting Benjamin Butler after he "cleaned up" New Orleans

One of the Officers of Benjamin Butler's staff was newly promoted Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild. Wild was a Harvard educated medical doctor who had served in the Ottoman Army in the Crimean War. He was also a staunch abolitionist. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Wild abandoned his successful physicians practice and joined a Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. The war had been unkind to Wild. He had lost of the use of his right hand at the Battle of Fair Oaks in June of 1862. His left arm was amputated following an injury at the Battle of South Mountain in September of 1862. Despite his injuries, Wild returned to the Federal Army.

Federal Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild

Following his promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in April of 1863, Wild sought out to recruit one of the first all African American Regiments. Many men in Wild's Regiment were freed slaves from Northeastern North Carolina. The Federal Army's official correspondence would refer to his unit as "Wild's African Brigade."

In December of 1863, Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild led his force of nearly 1,800 African American soldiers in an expedition of the Old Albemarle Region of North Carolina. Butler and Wild targeted the Northeastern part of North Carolina due to the guerrilla resistance in the area. They also targeted the Old Albemarle Region due to it's rich agricultural resources. Union supply officers were having trouble resupplying the Federal forces in the area. Wild began to target the homes of loyal Confederates in the area. In his official report, Wild recounted "we were obliged to live off the country for a few days; which we did judiciously discriminating in favor of the worst rebels."

Dr. William Gaskins Pool

Wild and his African Brigade arrived in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on December 10, 1863. He established his headquarters at the home of local unionist, William Gaskins Pool, who just so happens to be my 6th cousin 4x removed. Pool was a physician in Elizabeth City, having established a practice there in 1853.   To complicate the matter, William Gaskins Pool's sister, Susan S. Pool was married to James W. Hinton, the Colonel of the North Carolina 66th Infantry Regiment, and also my 5th cousin 5x removed. William Gaskins Pool working with the Union and his sister's husband a Colonel in the Confederate army surely had to put a tremendous strain on their family. While in Elizabeth City, General Wild decided to see who remained loyal to the Union. With the assistance of William Gaskins Pool, he compiled a list containing nearly every local unionist who remained in Pasquotank County. When the list was completed, it contained 53 names. Wild gave his men the authority to remove slaves from the local plantations. His actions disrupted the racial pecking order of the day. Wild's men were given the authority to confiscate the property of the people who's homes they raided. As Wild's men continued to operate in the Old Albemarle Region, they began to encounter more and more resistance from the local Confederate guerrillas.

On one of their raids, a band of Pasquotank Confederate guerrillas captured one of Wild's men, Private Samuel Jordan, U.S.C.T. Wild responded with kidnapping the wives of two local guerrillas, Phoebe Munden and Elizabeth Weeks. Phoebe Munden was the wife of William J. Munden, a successful Pasquotank farmer who had joined the local Confederate guerrilla Company. William J. Munden was the Great Uncle of my Great Aunt, Elizabeth Nowell's husband, Reginald Morgan Munden.    Elizabeth Weeks was the wife of another local Confederate guerrilla. Wild threaten to treat these women with the same treatment that Private Samuel Jordan received, even if it meant hanging them. Munden and Weeks were taken to Union occupied Norfolk where they spent three days confined behind bars with their hands and feet bound.

Following the capture of Private Samuel Jordan, Wild sent out a raiding party to Hertford. The main objective was to disrupt a local guerrilla camp in Perquimans County. When the group arrived to the banks of the Perquimans River, they found the bridges to have been burned and the water unfordable.   The Federal soldiers returned with only one suspected guerrilla, my 2nd cousin 5x removed Daniel Bright.

Previously I discussed the North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment's decimation after the fall of Fort Hatteras on August 29, 1861. Many of the Confederates who were captured were sent to Northern prison camps before they were paroled.   These paroled Confederates were allowed to return home, but vowed not to take up arms against the United States until they were formally exchanged.

Two of these "paroled Confederates" were brothers, Daniel and Dozier Bright, my 2nd cousins 5x removed. Dozier Bright was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on November 10, 1828.   On April 23, 1861, Dozier enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment. He was 32 years old at the time of his enlistment.   His younger brother, Daniel Bright, was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina in 1832. Daniel followed in the footsteps of his older brother and enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment on August 1, 1861. Daniel was 29 years old at the time of his enlistment. He left a young wife and two small children at home. Prior to the war, the Bright brothers were farmers by trade.

Daniel Bright had been in the Confederate Army for just 28 days before he was captured at Fort Hatteras on August 29, 1861. On November 1, 1861, Daniel was sent to Fort Warren, Boston, Massachusetts where he remained confined until December 16, 1861 when he was sent to Fortress Monroe, Virginia. On December 17, 1861, Daniel was paroled and sent home to Pasquotank County, North Carolina, where he waited to be formally exchanged.

POW Roll for Daniel showing he was "on parole waiting to be exchanged"

Daniel returned to his Regiment which had now become the North Carolina 32nd Infantry Regiment due to consolidation. On April 1, 1862, Daniel completed the terms of his enlistment and was formally mustered out of Confederate service.

Muster Roll showing Daniel was mustered out on April 1, 1862

Following his mustering out of Confederate service, Daniel returned to his family in Pasquotank County, North Carolina and resumed farming. By April of 1862, his wife had given birth to another child, a son named Daniel Bright, Jr. Their household now consisted of 2 adults, 3 infant children and 1 slave. Daniel's farm was relatively small in comparison to some of his neighbors. From April of 1862 to December of 1863, little is known about the life of Daniel Bright. Daniel was a citizen of Elizabeth City during Captain Enos Sanders tenure as "commander" of the Elizabeth City recruiting office. It is quite possible that Daniel could have witnessed Sanders commit depredations against his neighbors. It is also possible that members of the Federal Army could have committed depredations against Daniel Bright and his family.

Again, I'm going to divert from my normal presentation of the facts and give my own opinion. I believe that the continued Federal occupation of Northeastern North Carolina weighed heavily on Daniel's mind. Although his service in the North Carolina 17th/32nd Infantry Regiment had ended, I believe that Daniel wanted to contribute to the Confederate cause in any way he could. In studying this topic, I've often asked myself what I would do if there was an enemy force in close proximity to my home and family. It is without a doubt that I would do whatever I could within my means to a) protect my family and b) to make the enemy invaders wish they had never set foot on North Carolina soil.

In December of 1863 Daniel Bright was picked up by Wild's men for failing to produce an enlistment document proving he was a Confederate regular at home on furlough. The day Daniel was captured, two homes in Pasquotank County were burned to the ground by Wild's men. The homes belonged to Daniel Bright and William Twine White.

Axey Nixon Morgan and William Twine White

William Twine White was the commissary officer for the local guerrillas. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. William was a distant cousin of Addison White. William stored supplies on his farm for the local Confederate guerrillas. William was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on November 10, 1824. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment, however never reported for duty. He decided to join the local guerrillas instead. William was operating with the guerrillas when his house was burned. He returned and rebuilt his home and fortune in Pasquotank County. His income in 1870 was roughly $4,000 more than the income he reported in 1860. William Twine White died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on October 29, 1897 at the age of 72. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to William:

William Twine White 1824-1897
2nd cousin 5x removed

Thomas White 1785-1839
Father of William Twine White

Nathan White 1757-1824
Father of Thomas White

Thomas White Jr. 1730-1809
Father of Nathan White

Orpah White 1775-1819
Daughter of Thomas White Jr.

Jemima Robinson 1800-1841
Daughter of Orpah White

Jonathan White 1829-1878
Son of Jemima Robinson

Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Jonathan White

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild believed that Daniel Bright was both a Confederate deserter and suspected guerrilla. Here's where things get a bit unclear. Wild ordered a private hearing for Daniel Bright. No official records of the hearing exist. Daniel Bright supposedly claimed to be a member of the 62nd Georgia Cavalry, but was unable to produce any official documents that could confirm his status. In their official reports, Confederate Authorities stated that Bright was indeed a member of the 62nd Georgia Cavalry who had been sent home on leave to attempt to raise a new Company of Cavalry that had been recently authorized by North Carolina Governor, Zebulon B. Vance. They claimed Bright was unsuccessful in his recruiting attempt and had returned home to his farm.

Wild believed that Bright was a deserter from the Confederate Army who had returned home to Pasquotank County and joined the local Confederate guerrilla Company. Local unionists added to Wild's accusations claiming to have witnessed Bright in collaboration with the local guerrillas. All evidence was circumstantial at the least and probably was more along the lines of hearsay. Wild acted as both judge and jury, convicting Daniel Bright and sentencing him to death.

On December 18, 1863, General Wild and a large force of his African Brigade escorted Daniel Bright, who was described as being "a man of about thirty, a rough, stout fellow...dressed in butternut homespun" to an empty cider barrel in an unfinished post office in Hinton's Crossroads, just outside of Elizabeth City. A Federal soldier fastened a rope with a hangman's noose to a ceiling joist right above the cider barrel. The soldier then placed the noose around the neck of Daniel Bright and prepared to carry out the death sentence that had been handed down the day before. Bright was given just a moment to say a brief prayer before General Wild kicked the cider barrel from underneath him. He cried out, “O merciful Father ! Look down upon me!” A Federal soldier's account of the hanging stated "he did not die immediately from the fall since his neck was not broken, but instead suffered death by strangulation, his heart not ceasing to beat for twenty minutes."

Phoebe Munden and Elizabeth Weeks were in the crowd of onlookers that witnessed the murder of Daniel Bright. Certainly they wondered if they would receive the same fate. A note was left on Bright's body stating "this guerrilla hanged by order of Brigadier-General Wild, Daniel Bright of Pasquotank County." Bright's body was ordered not to be taken down and remained hanging at Hinton's Crossroads for two days. On December 20, members from the 62nd Georgia Cavalry arrived on the scene to find Bright's body still hanging from the makeshift gallows. One of the members of the 62nd Georgia Cavalry, Richard Barfield, recorded that the men gave Bright a full Military funeral. Why would complete strangers give someone a full military funeral if they had not been associated with one another? Daniel Bright was only 31 years old when he was murdered by Federal Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild. He left behind a wife and 3 small children to mourn his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Daniel:

Daniel Bright 1832-1863
2nd cousin 5x removed

Levi Bright -1838
Father of Daniel Bright

Ephraim Bright Sr. 1755-1836
Father of Levi Bright

Ephraim Bright -1762
Father of Ephraim Bright Sr.

Jesse Bright 1760-1824
Son of Ephraim Bright

Ephraim Bright 1782-1876
Son of Jesse Bright

Joseph Bright 1817-1895
Son of Ephraim Bright

Josephine Bright 1855-1880
Daughter of Joseph Bright

Edward Stokes 1875-1961
Son of Josephine Bright

Selby Edward Stokes Sr. 1910-1997
Son of Edward Stokes

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Selby Edward Stokes Sr.

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Major General George E. Pickett

When Confederate authorities caught wind of Bright's execution, they were enraged. Major General George E. Pickett, who was now in command of the Department of Southern Virginia and North Carolina, ordered the immediate hanging of Private Samuel Jordan, U.S.C.T. On January 13, 1864, residents of South Mills in Camden County discovered a body hanging at Turn Pike Gate with the following message attached, “Here hangs Private Samuel Jones [sic]…by order of Major-General Pickett in retaliation for Private Daniel Bright of Company L, Sixty-second Georgia Regiment, hung December 18, 1863, by order of Brigadier General Wild.”

When Benjamin Butler received news of the hanging of Private Jordan, he immediately ordered Wild to release Phoebe Munden and Elizabeth Weeks. Confederate authorities and newspapers labeled Wild as a "terror". The Federal War Department saw things differently. They lauded Wild as a hero and promoted him to the overall command of the Department of Norfolk on January 18, 1864. He went on to participate in the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond. Following the war, Wild became a mining engineer. He relocated to Columbia, South America where he died while surveying the route of a new railroad in 1891.

General Wild's troops as they marched to Norfolk

On March 5, 1864, Northern Newspaper, the New York World wrote: “If [Bright] was a guerrilla, Wild had no right, under the laws of war, to hang him, and under any other government, [Wild] would have been promptly court-martialed and either cashiered or shot. He was not, however, even rebuked, so far as we have heard, and he cost a poor Union soldier his life….”

Benjamin Butler's official correspondence to Confederate Colonel James W. Hinton showed how removed from the situation he was. In defense of Wild, Butler stated "General Wild found Daniel Bright a deserter from the 62nd Georgia Regiment, carrying on robbery and pillage in the peaceable Counties of Camden and Pasquotank. He was further informed, and believed, that being such a deserter he and his Company had refused to obey any order given by you, or the Governor of North Carolina, because you had frequently ordered the squad, of which he pretended to be one, across the Chowan River, and they had refused to obey."

The atrocities done by members of the Federal army to Southern citizens during the Civil War were numerous. Unfortunately, they would not end for quite some time. From Sherman's destruction of personal property in his Georgia and South Carolina Campaigns to the depredations against the people of Northeastern North Carolina, there is tangible evidence of this "total war" attitude against the people of the South. On the other hand, no depredations were ever done to Northern citizens during Robert E. Lee's Maryland or Pennsylvania Campaigns. Lee's official orders from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania from June 27, 1863 specifically mention Confederate soldiers treatment of Northern citizens:

Gen. Orders No. 73., Hdqrs. Army of Northern Virginia,

Chambersburg, Pa.,

June 27, 1863.

The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently anticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested.

No troops could have displayed greater fortitude or better performed the arduous marches of the past ten days.

Their conduct in other respects has, with few exceptions, been in keeping with their character as soldiers, and entitles them to approbation and praise.

There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness, on the part of some, that they have in keeping the yet unsullied reputation of the army, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization and Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy than in our own.

The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace could befall the army, and through it our whole people, than the perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the unarmed and defenseless and the wanton destruction of private property, that have marked the course of the enemy in our own country.

Such proceedings not only degrade the perpetrators and all connected with them, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of the army, and destructive of the ends of our present movement.

It must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has been excited by the atrocities of our enemies, and offending against Him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favor and support our efforts must all prove in vain.

The commanding general therefore earnestly exhorts the troops to abstain with most scrupulous care from unnecessary or wanton injury to private property, and he enjoins upon all officers to arrest and bring to summary punishment all who shall in any way offend against the orders on this subject.

R. E. LEE,
Gen.

The depredations against Southerners that were done by the hands of Northerners would continue well into the 1870's with unfavorable Reconstruction policies.

Two books have been written recently about the Northeastern part of North Carolina during the Civil War. I found them both to be incredibly helpful in my research.

Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Civil War: A History of Battle and Occupation by Alex Christopher Meekins. Published November 15, 2007.

Executing Daniel Bright: Race, Loyalty, and Guerrilla Violence in a Coastal Carolina Community, 1861-1865 by Barton A. Myers. Published Winter 2010.

The North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment: One 2nd Great Granduncle, Eighteen Cousins, The Husband of a 2nd Great Grandaunt, and My Wife's 3rd Great Grandfather

2013-06-22T17:19:00.003-04:00

Battle Flag of the North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment, Captured at Gettysburg

To date, I've found more relatives that served in the North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment, than any other Regiment in the Civil War. Twenty of my ancestors once fought alongside the flag that is pictured above. Seven of those ancestors gave their lives for the Confederacy. My wife's 3rd Great Grandfather also served in this Regiment, losing his life at the Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia.

The North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the North Carolina 13th State Troops, completed its organization at Garysburg, North Carolina in July of 1861. Its men were recruited from Anson, Lincoln, Montgomery, Richmond, Granville, Catawba, and Gaston Counties. John F. Hoke of Lincoln County was elected as Colonel, John W. Leak of Richmond County was elected as Lieutenant Colonel and David H. Christie of Granville County was elected as Major.

Colonel John F. Hoke

On July 17, 1861, The North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment broke camp at Garysburg, North Carolina and made way for Virginia. The Regiment arrived on at Manassas Junction on July 21 in time for the battle, however was held in reserve. The North Carolina 23rd made their quarters at Camp Wigfall, near the Manassas Battlefield, where they remained for several weeks. The men of the 23rd began to suffer immensely from disease. The immune system of the rural farm boy was no match for the new diseases they would become susceptible to in the large camps. At one time, the sick call totaled 240 with 57 cases of typhoid fever.

The Regiment was placed in General Jubal A. Early's Brigade. Other Regiments in Early's Brigade included the North Carolina 5th Infantry Regiment, the Georgia 20th Infantry Regiment, and the Virginia 24th and 38th Infantry Regiments. Jubal Anderson Early is my 3rd cousin, 5x removed.

Brigadier General Jubal A. Early

Early's Brigade remained at Camp Wigfall until March 8, 1862, when the Unit began preparations for a move to the Peninsula. The Brigade moved to a position south of the Rappahannock, where they remained until April 7th. On April 7, 1862, the Brigade convened at the Railroad station near the Orange Court House. By way of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, the Brigade was transported to Richmond, Virginia. After arriving in Richmond, Early's Brigade marched to the Yorktown depot, where they boarded schooners for the 30 mile trip down stream. Early's Brigade arrived in Yorktown on April 9, 1862. Upon their arrival they reported to the earthworks previously erected for use in the Revolutionary War.

On April 17, 1862 the Brigade faced their first test of fire from the enemy.   Federal Artillery Batteries had been set up just about 3/4 of a mile from the Confederate position. Federal sharpshooters occupying rifle pits in front of the Artillery Batteries began shooting their muskets at the Confederates. The Confederates occupied rifle pits directly in front of their entrenchments. Heavy rain began to pour. The rifle pits began to fill up with rain water. No troops from either side were able to make fires due to poor kindling and the fact that fires made for good targets. During their spare time, many men visited the marble slab erected on the location where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, hoping that the spot that witnessed the American Independence would also see the accomplishment of Southern Independence.

The much smaller Confederate force at Yorktown held McClellan's vastly larger Army at bay for several weeks. Several Confederate Regiments were transferred back to Richmond to support the Confederate Capital. It became apparent that the only way to keep McClellan at bay any longer would be to engage the Federals.   This was not the most ideal place to wage battle against an army of superior number. On May 4, 1862, the Confederate forces at Yorktown quietly withdrew.   On the day of the evacuation, several members of the North Carolina 23rd were on duty in the rifle pits. As the withdrawal plan got underway, Officers in the North Carolina 23rd began to grow concerned about the safety of the men in the rifle pits. The concern was that the men in the rifle pits may not know what to do during the withdrawal unless directly ordered. Captain C. C. Blacknall of Company G, left the shelter of the trenches and traveled roughly 400 yards to the pits, gave the men their orders and returned unharmed. The troops from the North Carolina 23rd were the last to evacuate Yorktown, having been relieved by the Cavalry around midnight. At dawn, the Confederates were roughly six miles away from their former works at Yorktown when they began to hear McClellan's Federals bombarding their old position.

The Brigade found themselves roughly one mile outside the town of Williamsburg, Virginia on May 5, 1862. Due to the fact that Williamsburg was only 12 miles from Yorktown, the Federals were in rapid pursuit of the Confederate force. Early's Brigade, now consisting of the 5th and 23rd North Carolina, the 24th Virginia and the 2nd Florida Battalion, was ordered back to aid General James Longstreet in resisting the pursuit of the eager Federals.

The Battle of Williamsburg was fought on nearly the same ground in which the Americans and British fought on in 1781. Early's Brigade was tasked with making a fierce charge on Federal General Winfield Scott Hancock's Brigade on the enemy's right. General Early rode the length of the Brigade offering words of encouragement to the young Confederate troops who were about to make their first appearance on a bonified battlefield.   The Confederate line advanced nearly 100 yards or more through a wet wheat field where they began to encounter a dense forest. As the Confederate line became jumbled and confused due to their present location, General D. H. Hill appeared, mounted on his horse, stating sharply "hush your infernal noise".

The right wing of Early's Brigade was the first to come into view of the enemy's Battery since they were able to march on flat land versus the dense forest. The North Carolina 23rd's position was located in the dense forest, thus they were driven back when the Federal Batteries began their cannonade. The North Carolina 5th made a gallant but fruitless charge toward the enemy's position. Colonel McRea of the North Carolina 5th alleged that the 23rd was "inexcusably derelict" in not supporting their position. He also stated that Colonel Hoke had halted his Regiment without having received orders to do so. Colonel Hoke responded that General Early had indeed ordered him to halt, a claim never denied by Early. A post war statement from the Commander of all Confederate forces at the time of the battle, General Joseph E. Johnston, stated that the responsibility of the charge was placed in the hands of General Daniel Harvey Hill. Johnston also stated that he never gave the order, but rather allowed it after repeated requests from Hill. The Federals seemed content to hold their line rather than continue their pursuit. Following their defeat, the Confederates resumed their grand retreat towards Richmond.

Brigadier General Samuel Garland, Jr.

On May 9, 1862, the North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment reached the Chickahominy River and made camp. The Regiment was re-assigned to the Brigade of Brigadier General Samuel Garland, Jr.. Samuel Garland, Jr. is my 4th cousin, 5x removed. During the day, the reorganization of the Regiment took place. New Regimental Officers were elected as follows; Daniel H. Christie was elected Colonel, Ed. J. Christian, former Lieutenant of Company C was elected as Major, Vines E. Turner, formerly Lieutenant of Company G was elected as Adjutant.

Battle of Seven Pines, Currier and Ives

On May 31, 1863, the North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment participated in the Battle of Seven Pines. Two Federal Divisions had taken up a position on the south side of the Chickahominy River. General Joseph E. Johnston's plan was to attack the Federals. The brunt of the attack fell on Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's Division, of which the North Carolina 23rd was a part. Hill's Division stormed the Union camp and captured 12 pieces of Artillery.

Conditions were anything but favorable for an attack. Heavy rains had recently fallen and the ground was soggy and muddy. As the Confederates made their way into a line of battle, the North Carolina 23rd found themselves in waist deep swamp water, complete with dense undergrowth. Federal cannons supported by muskets began to fire into their ranks. Many men of the 23rd fell dead in the water. As the men made their way through the swamp, they began to encounter a network of abattis that further impeded their attack.

Federal shell and shot continued to tear into the ranks of the attacking Confederates. As gaps were torn in to the charging line, brave Confederates stepped up to close the ranks. The Confederates closed in and moved steadily on towards the Federal position. The Federal guns were ultimately overtaken and the two Divisions were torn apart.

Elsewhere on the field of battle, the Confederate forces were not having nearly the same luck as Hill's Division. Several senior Confederate Officers were wounded and/or captured, including Generals Wade Hampton, Oliver Howard, Robert Hatton, and my 2nd cousin 5x removed, James Johnston Pettigrew. Davidson Bost was mortally wounded during the fighting. He died from his wounds nine days later on the 9th of June.

As night put an end to the conflict, both sides regrouped and dressed their wounds. The day's results were inconclusive. The two armies that had faced one another were nearly even strength. The total casualty count for the Union was 5,031 (790 killed, 3,594 wounded, 647 captured or missing). The Confederate casualty count was 6,134 (980 killed, 4,749 wounded, 405 captured or missing. Losses for the North Carolina 23rd included Major Edwin J. Christian who had been elected just two weeks earlier. Captain C. C. Blacknall of Company G became Major of the Regiment.

Following the Battle of Seven Pines, the North Carolina 23rd went into camp near Richmond, where they remained for several weeks. The Federal line of battle now stretched nearly nine miles along the Chickahominy, its right wing resting on the northern bank just above the village of Mechanicsville.

The fighting at Mechanicsville on June 26, 1862 opened up what would later be referred to as the "Seven Days Battles".   General Robert E. Lee's plan was to have Stonewall Jackson's force attack the right flank of the enemy, while A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill's troops were tasked with attacking the center and left. The collective Confederate force was able to push the Federals back from their breastworks.  As night fell, a fierce Artillery duel continued. At dawn, the Confederates renewed their attack. After a bloody, two hour conflict, the Federals abandoned their position and fell back to a stronger line of works near Gaines' Mills.

Daniel Harvey Hill's Division was the first to attack the Federal position at Gaines' Mills. Once the engagement became a general one, Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson's troops became engaged.   A grand Confederate charge was ordered and line after line of Federals were pushed back even further. The Federals fell back to Malvern Hill, a heavily fortified position overlooking a ridge.   There McClellan was able to concentrate his 300 pieces of Artillery.

The Battle of Malvern Hill was the only battle in the Seven Days Battles that resulted in a Union victory.   This was primarily due to McClellan's favorable position. D. H. Hill's Division made a vigorous attack on the Union right. Due to poor communication, a Confederate attack was not carried out in a timely manner on the Union left.   The Federals were able to reinforce their right with troops from their left. Federal gunboats on the James also prohibited the Confederates from making a thorough attack. As night fell, both sides ceased fire.

The Confederates fully intended to renew their attack the next morning, however they found that McClellan and company had found protection amongst the Federal gunboats and steamships at Harrison's Landing. It was at Harrison's Landing that McClellan and the Federal Army of the Potomac made their grand exit from the Peninsula, for the time being.   The North Carolina 23rd suffered roughly 30 killed and 75 wounded during the Seven Days Battles.

Following the Battle of Malvern Hill, all was quiet on the Peninsula for a few weeks. The next move made by the Union was to appoint General John Pope to take command of the Army of the Potomac. Pope began planning a new assault on Richmond, making preparations to threaten from the north, rather than the Peninsula. Stonewall Jackson's expert flank movement struck a fierce blow to Pope where he least expected it.

The battle which would culminate at Cedar Run on August 9, 1862 resulted in a Confederate victory. Several Federal prisoners were taken as well as several pieces of Artillery. The overwhelming defeat of the Federals caused Lincoln and the War Department to concentrate all available Federal forces above the Rappahannock in order to reinforce Pope.

Robert E. Lee tasked D. H. Hill's Division with staying behind and monitoring the movements of McClellan while he and the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia travelled to Gordonsville, just north of Richmond. Hill's Division rejoined the Army in late August. The North Carolina 23rd narrowly missed another round of action at Manassas, only arriving in time to view the destruction left on the battlefield.

Following the Second Battle of Bull Run / 2nd Manassas, Lee devised a bold plan to invade the Northern States.  Lee felt that by bringing the war to the North, Federal troops would have to leave his native state of Virginia in order to protect their homeland. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia began their march into Maryland.   The army went in to camp at Frederick, Maryland on September 6, 1862. On the 10th of September, the army broke camp and continued their northern march.   Following Pope's defeat at 2nd Manassas, McClellan was put back in charge of the Army of the Potomac.

Fox's Gap at the battle of South Mountain, MD. Sunday, Sept. 14, 1862

On September 14th, the Army of Northern Virginia encountered the Federal Army at South Mountain Gap. There, D. H. Hill's Division held the main body of McClellan's army at bay long enough for Stonewall Jackson's army to take Harper's Ferry. The North Carolina 23rd played a prominent part in the action at South Mountain. General Garland was killed in action while defending a stone wall on the Daniel Wise Farm. D. H. Hill memorialized him by saying "This brilliant service, however, cost us the life of that pure, gallant, and accomplished Christian soldier, General Garland, who had no superiors and few equals in the service."

In a post war publication of the "Century Magazine" dated May of 1886, General D. H. Hill stated the following about his Divisions actions at South Mountain Gap:

“In the retirement of Lee’s army from Frederick to Hagerstown and Boonsborough, my division constituted the rear guard. It consisted of five brigades (Wise’s brigade being left behind) and after the arrival at Boonsborough, was entrusted with guarding the wagon trains and pieces of artillery belonging to the whole army”.

“My division was very small and was embarrassed with the wagon trains and artillery of the whole army save such as Jackson had taken with him. It must be remembered that the army now before McClellan had been constantly marching and fighting since the 25th June. The order excusing barefoot men from marching into Maryland sent thousands to the rear. Divisions that had become smaller then brigades were when the fighting had begun; brigades had become smaller than regiments and regiments had become smaller than companies.”

On the morning of the 14th,General Hill had fixed his lines of battle: “The firing had aroused General Garland and his men were under arms when he reached the pike. I explained the situation briefly to him to sweep through the woods, reach the road and hold it at all regards, as the safety of Lee’s line of march depended upon its being held. He went off in high spirits and I never saw him again.”

At the time, General Garland's force consisted of five Regiments of Infantry and one Artillery Battery. The North Carolina 5th was placed on the right, the North Carolina 23rd on their left behind a stone wall. Roughly 50 skirmishers from the North Carolina 5th encountered men from the 23rd Ohio, under then Colonel and future President, Rutherford B. Hayes. Following the death of Garland, Colonel McRae of the North Carolina 5th assumed command of the Brigade. Intense Federal fire began to become concentrated on the stone wall where the North Carolina 23rd was positioned. D. H. Hill stated “The Federals had a plunging fire upon this regiment (23rd) from the crest of the hill, higher than the wall, and only about fifty yards from it.”

The 23rd Ohio began to turn their attention to the supporting Artillery Battery, however failed to capture it while the 30th Ohio came into play and began assaulting the stone wall near the North Carolina 23rd. D. H. Hill described the result of the 30th Ohio's assault:

“Some of the 30th Ohio forced through a break in the wall and bayonets and clubbed muskets were used freely for a few minutes. Garland’s Brigade, demoralized by his death and by the confusion, retreated behind the mountain, leaving some 200 prisoners of the 5th, 23rd and 20th N.C. in the hands of the enemy. The brigade was too roughly handled to be of any further use that day.”

D. H. Hill described the losses of the North Carolina 23rd during the Battle of South Mountain at roughly 200 killed, wounded or missing.

North Carolina Monument at the Stone Mountain Battlefield

Just a few days later on September 17, 1862, the North Carolina 23rd participated in the bloody Battle of Antietam. Colonel McRae of the North Carolina 5th had assumed command of Garland's Brigade. The Divisions of Longstreet and D. H. Hill held the Confederate center and right during the Battle. The North Carolina 23rd was battle torn from their action at South Mountain and was able to muster only a few soldiers for the fight. In just two days of fighting at South Mountain and Antietam, the North Carolina 23rd lost roughly 45 wounded and 20 killed.

On September 18, 1862, Robert E. Lee waited to resume the fight against the Federals, however the enemy declined to advance. After hearing that McClellan was amassing a large number of reinforcements, Lee withdrew the Army of Northern Virginia back across the Potomac. As the Army returned to Virginia, the various Brigades and Regiments were spread across the Virginia countryside, where they began to recruit men to replenish their ranks. The Regiment would see light action at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862, however they did not play a prominent part. Command of Garland's Brigade was soon passed to Brigadier General Alfred Iverson. The Brigade was now placed in the Division of Major General Robert Rodes.

Alfred Iverson

The North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment played a prominent part in the Battle of Chancellorsville, which took place between April 30 - May 6, 1863. The Regiment was on the Confederate extreme left and was conspicuous in turning the right flank of Federal General Joseph Hooker's troops. A grand Confederate victory was won, some say Robert E. Lee's finest. The price of victory was a large one. Stonewall Jackson was wounded inadvertently by friendly fire on the evening of May 2nd, resulting in the amputation of his left arm. Jackson would die from pneumonia on May 10th.

Battle of Chancellorsville by Kurz and Allison
(depicts the wounding of Confederate Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson on May 2, 1863)

The North Carolina 23rd also suffered greatly during the battle of Chancellorsville. Major C. C. Blacknall was wounded and captured by the enemy. He was confined to Old Capitol Prison in Washington D. C. before being exchanged and returned just before the Battle of Gettysburg. General Rodes official report listed the casualties of the North Carolina 23rd as 173 killed, wounded or missing. Stephen Spencer West, lost his life on the Chancellorsville battlefield on May 2nd. Samuel Clark, David Goodman Crews, James A. Breedlove, Robert Hester and Henry Jadson Hester were all severely wounded at Chancellorsville. Samuel Clark's injury resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Both Samuel Clark and Robert Hester received the Confederate Badge of Honor for gallantry during the battle. Robert's brother Henry Jadson Hester was also nominated for the Badge of Honor.

Following the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Army of Northern Virginia was divided into three Corps. Iverson's Brigade remained in Rode's Division, which was now attached to Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell's 2nd Corps. The Unit bivouacked near Fredericksburg. On June 3rd, Ewell's Corps, with Rodes Division in the lead, left their camp at Fredericksburg and began to march north. The unit briefly assisted the Cavalry at Brandy Station on June 9th. On June 12th, Ewell's Corps crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Chester Gap and entered the Shenandoah Valley. The unit continued north and crossed the Potomac on June 16th. Ewell's Corps crossed into Pennsylvania on June 22nd and bivouacked at Greencastle. On June 27th, the Corps marched toward Carlisle, Pennsylvania, arriving there on the evening of the 27th.

On July 1, 1863, Ewell's Corps moved toward Gettysburg. While en route, word came that A.P. Hill's Corps was moving on Gettysburg. General Ewell ordered Rodes' Division to proceed there also to assist Hill. When Rodes' Division arrived on the field, they found Hill's Corps already engaged with the Federals. Rodes moved his Division in position on Hill's left. Iverson's Brigade was on the right center of Rodes line. Major General Jubal A. Early's Division arrived on the field and was placed to the left of Rodes'. The Combined assault drove the enemy through the town of Gettysburg.

Iverson's Brigade Marker at Gettysburg

Below is General Iverson's post battle report that followed the Battle of Gettysburg:

CAMP NEAR DARKESVILLE, W. VA.,
July 17, 1863.
Maj. H. A. WHITING,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
        SIR: I have the honor to report that, upon arriving in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pa., where a fight was progressing between the corps of Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill and the enemy, on the morning of July 1, my brigade, being in the advance of Maj. Gen. R. E. Rodes' division, was ordered by him to form line of battle and advance toward the firing at Gettysburg. This advance brought my brigade across a wooded height overlooking the plain and the town of Gettysburg.
        General Rodes here took upon himself the direction of the brigade, and moved it by the right flank, changing at the same time the direction of the line of battle. Masses of the enemy being observed on the plain in front, General Rodes ordered a halt until artillery could be brought to play upon them. During the cannonading that ensued, my brigade was in support of the battery, and, having received instructions from General Rodes to advance gradually to the support of a battery he intended placing in front, and not understanding the exact time at which the advance was to take place, I dispatched a staff officer to him, to learn at what time I was to move forward, and received instructions not to move until my skirmishers became hotly engaged.
        Shortly afterward, however, I received an order from him to advance to meet the enemy, who were approaching to take the battery; to call upon Brigadier-General Daniel for support; that Colonel O'Neal's (Alabama) brigade would advance on my left, and the batteries would cease firing as I passed them. I immediately dispatched a staff officer to inform Brigadier-General Daniel that I was about to advance, and one to notify my regiments, and to observe when the brigade on my left commenced to move.
        Learning that the Alabama brigade, on my left, was moving, I advanced at once, and soon came in contact with the enemy, strongly posted in woods and behind a concealed stone wall. My brigade advanced to within 100 yards, and a most desperate fight took place. I observed a gap on my left, but presumed that it would soon be filled by the advancing Alabama brigade, under Colonel O'Neal. Briga-dier-General Daniel came up to my position, and I asked him for immediate support, as I was attacking a strong position. He promised to send me a large regiment, which I informed him would be enough, as the Third Alabama Regiment was then moving down on my right, and I then supposed was sent to my support. At the same time, I pointed out to General Daniel a large force of the enemy who were about to outflank my right, and asked him to take care of them. He moved past my position, and engaged the enemy some distance to my right, but the regiment he had promised me, and which I had asked him to forward to the position at which I stood, and where I was being pressed most heavily, did not report to me at all.
        I again sent Capt. D. P. Halsey, assistant adjutant-general, to ask General Daniel for aid, who informs me that he met his staff officer, and was told that one regiment had been sent, and no more could be spared. I then found that this regiment had formed on the right of the Third Alabama, which was on my right, and could not be used in time to save my brigade, for Colonel O'Neal's (Alabama) brigade had in the meantime advanced on my left, and been almost instantaneously driven back, upon which the enemy, being relieved from pressure, charged in overwhelming force upon and captured nearly all that were left unhurt in three regiments of my brigade.
        When I saw white handkerchiefs raised, and my line of battle still lying down in position, I characterized the surrender as disgraceful; but when I found afterward that 500 of my men were left lying dead and wounded on a line as straight as a dress parade, I exonerated, with one or two disgraceful individual exceptions, the survivors, and claim for the brigade that they nobly fought and died without a man running to the rear. No greater gallantry and heroism has been displayed during this war.
        I endeavored, during the confusion among the enemy incident to the charge and capture of my men, to make a charge with my remaining regiment and the Third Alabama, but in the noise and excitement I presume my voice could not be heard.
        The fighting here ceased on my part, the Twelfth North Carolina still retaining its position until, Brigadier-General Ramseur coming up, I pointed out the position of the enemy to him, and as soon as I observed his troops about to flank the enemy, I advanced the Twelfth North Carolina and fragments of the other regiments (which Capt. D. P. Halsey had already prepared for a forward movement) into the woods overlooking the town, and took possession of them.
        Going out to the front to stop General Ramseur's men from firing into mine, who were in their front, I observed that the enemy were retreating along the railroad, and immediately hastened the Twelfth North Carolina forward to cut them off. The Fifty-third North Carolina Regiment, of General Daniel's brigade, joined in the pursuit, and the Twelfth and Fifty-third North Carolina were the first to reach the railroad along which the enemy were retreating. Numberless prisoners were cut off by us, but I would not permit my men to take them to the rear, as I considered them safe.
        Arriving in the town, and having but very few troops left, I informed General Ramseur that I would attach them to his brigade, and act in concert with him, and we formed on the street facing the heights beyond Gettysburg occupied by the enemy, where we remained till the night of July 2, when I was informed by General Ramseur that a night attack was ordered upon the position of the enemy to the right of the town. I had received no instructions, and perceiving that General Ramseur was acquainted with the intentions of the major-general commanding the division, I raised no question of rank, but conformed the movements of my brigade to that of Brigadier-General Ramseur, advanced with him, got under the fire of the enemy's skirmishers and artillery without returning the fire, and perceiving, as I believe every one did, that we were advancing to certain destruction, when other parts of the line fell back, I also gave the order to retreat, and formed in the road, in which we maintained a position during that night and the whole of July 3, while the fight of that day was progressing, and from which we fell back about 3 a.m. of July 4 to the ridge near the theological seminary.
        From this position, I was moved about 2 p.m. same day, to escort the wagon train on the Fairfield road. I enclose herewith a list of casualties.
        To the officers and men of the brigade great credit is due for the great bravery with which they sustained the position to which they were ordered to advance.
        Capt. D. P. Halsey, assistant adjutant-general, was very conspicuous throughout the day for his distinguished gallantry and energy.
        Lieut. Col. H. E. Coleman, volunteer aide, and Lieut. J. T. Ector, aide-de-camp, were also especially zealous and brave in the discharge of the duties I called upon them to perform.
        Much credit is due the brave Capt. Benjamin Robinson, Fifth North Carolina, for the manner in which he handled his corps of sharpshooters.
        I cannot fail to commend the officers and men of the Twelfth North Carolina for the steady retention of their position, and for their bold advance without supports into the woods occupied by the enemy.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
ALFRED IVERSON,
Brigadier-General.

CAMP NEAR DARKESVILLE, W. VA.,
July 17, 1863.

Maj. H. A. WHITING,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
        MAJOR: I have the honor to report that on July 4 my brigade was moved, by order received from Colonel [Abner] Smead, corps inspector, from Gettysburg, to escort a wagon train in the direction of Hagerstown, on the Fairfield road. The train having started some time in advance of me, I did not overtake it till midnight, at which time I learned that it had been cut in two by the enemy at the turnpike. I hastened forward all my troops in the most fatiguing march I ever witnessed, reached the turnpike about dawn, captured a few of the enemy, got the remnant of the train out on the turnpike, and, when Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill's corps came up, moved down the mountain and went into camp.
        Reached Hagerstown next day 6th, where I found the enemy engaged with our cavalry. Sent the train back to the rear, deployed skirmishers, fixed an ambuscade, and I believe killed, wounded, and captured as many of the enemy as I had men. My loss was 3 killed and 6 wounded. Drove the enemy through Hagerstown, and marched to within 2 miles of Williamsport that night, in support of Major-General Stuart's cavalry, which had come up during the fight.
        Next day 7th, entered Williamsport, and turned over the train. Seeing great confusion, I assumed the duties of provost-marshal, and used my brigade for several days as guards, &c., when my connection with the brigade ceased.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED IVERSON,
Brigadier-General.

The North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment lost 55% killed and wounded on the first day of fighting at Gettysburg. The loss of the Regiment as so great that it could not be taken into battle on the second day. The Regiment was left without a commissioned officer, all having been among the killed and wounded. Colonel D. H. Christie was mortally wounded. Fleming West was captured and taken prisoner. Major Blacknall was disabled by a bullet that entered his mouth, knocked out several teeth and exited through the back of his neck. He was captured on the retreat to Virginia after having to rest at a farm house. Colonel Christie was captured in an ambush but was recovered by Confederate Cavalry and taken to Williamsport, unfortunately dying from his wounds on the way. Blacknell initially escaped his captors but was taken again the next morning to Fort McHenry where he and other officers were forced to draw lots for the fate of being shot in retaliation of a Federal Major being shot in Richmond earlier. Major Blacknell drew the unlucky number and was condemned to death but for some reason was spared. He was transferred to Johnson's Island Prison Camp in Ohio before being returned home in March of 1864. Against the will of his friends and family and although being a shadow of his former self by reasons of his wounds and imprisonment, Blacknell rejoined his Regiment in time to participate in Early's great march to Washington. He eventually received his death wound at the Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864. Blacknall's foot was shattered by the bullet from a Federal Cavalryman's carbine. Amputation failed to failed to hinder the gangrene that had set in. Blacknell died from his wounds on October 4, 1864.

Brigadier General Robert Daniel Johnston

Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the Brigade, which was left with nearly no field officers, refused to serve any longer under the command of Iverson. Colonel Robert Daniel Johnston was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and placed in command of Iverson's former Brigade. Johnston's Brigade spent the Fall/Winter of 1863-64 in camp at Hanover, Virginia, where they recuperated from their wounds. The Brigade was also able to replenish it's ranks from recruitment and conscription. As the men entered the Campaigns of 1864, they appeared to be well equipped and in good fighting shape. After a season of recruitment near Hanover, the Brigade was ordered to rejoin the Army of Northern Virginia near the vicinity of the Wilderness of Spotsylvania.

Battle of the Wilderness by Kurz and Allison.

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought between May 5 - 7, 1864. It was the first battle in Federal General Ulysses Grant's "Overland Campaign" against Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Johnston's Brigade took part in the engagement with John B. Gordon's Brigade, which turned the right flank of the Federal line. During the flanking attack, the Confederates penetrated the rear of the Federal line with 200 - 300 men. Bloody hand to hand combat ensued. The Confederates were recalled and narrowly escaped from the same line they initially penetrated.

During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the Brigade was held in reserve to contend with any point of attack along the Confederate right. A Federal assault drove two Confederate Brigades from their works. Johnston's Brigade re-carried the position and re-established the line. After the re-capture of the breast works, the Brigade was withdrawn and re-occupied it's position in reserve until the line held by Major General Edward Johnson was carried by the enemy. Johnston's Brigade was ordered to re-take those works. The Federals had eagerly overtaken the former Confederate position, now occupying it with three lines of battle.

Johnston's Brigade made a gallant charge and was immediately confronted with the three lines of battle, only 50 yards apart from one another. The Federals occupying the lines of battle numbered no less than 5,000. As the Confederates approached the 1st line of battle, a Federal Officer from a New York Regiment dashed out and demanded the surrender of the Brigade. He was immediately shot down. Another Federal Officer ran up with the same command and shared the same fate.

Instead of surrendering, an Officer from the North Carolina 23rd grabbed the colors of the Regiment and ordered a charge. As the Confederates charged, the Federals were driven from their position. The Confederate line of battle was re-established. General Johnston was making strategic observations from the angle of the Confederate breastworks when he was shot in the head. Johnston survived his wounds and rejoined the Brigade in August of 1864 to participate in General Early's Shenandoah Valley Campaign.

The Battle of Cedar Creek

The Regiment would next see action as part of General Early's command in his great march on Washington D. C. The Brigade participated in all the battles of that command and participated in the flank movement with Gordon's Division at Bell Grove and Cedar Creek.   During the Battle of Cedar Creek, the Brigade faced brutal hand to hand combat with the Federal Army's VI Corps. Along with Battle's Alabama Brigade, the Confederates were able to capture six pieces of Federal Artillery.

The Brigade was then ordered to the front of Middlesburg, where it began skirmishing with Federal Cavalry. Federal General Philip H. Sheridan was now in command of all United States Cavalry. That evening, Sheridan made his attack on the left flank of the Confederate line. The line held by Gordon's Brigade began to break, following with the line held by Ramseur's Brigade. Johnston's Brigade was the only Confederate force that remained organized, retiring with it's line unbroken, halting and firing repeatedly as they were being pressed on by Federal troops.

After falling back near Cedar Creek, General Pegram sent an order to Johnston to "cross the bridge" and follow the road to Strasburg. Johnston replied that it would be impossible to cross the bridge due to the enemy's breastworks that were currently occupied by Federal troops.   Johnston explained that he could cross the river at another point and keep his command intact. Another message was sent commanding Johnston to cross the bridge. Johnston complied with the order. As the Confederates were crossing the bridge, the Federals began to pour volleys of musket fire into them. Having been completely at the mercy of the Federal troops, the Brigade fell into confusion and retreated under the cover of the darkness.

Sheridan's Cavalry continued to press the retreating Confederates along their retreat into the Shenandoah Valley. As the Confederate columns reached Mount Jackson, General Johnston was ordered to face about and hold the enemy in check. Johnston formed a line of battle and began to throw out skirmishers. The resulting fire fight was one of the most intense fights that the Brigade had participated in. The Federals were defeated and pushed back.

The North Carolina 23rd continued to participate in Early's Valley Campaign until they were transferred to assist Lee's forces near Richmond and Petersburg.   Sheridan had been ordered to reinforce Grant's rear near Petersburg. There they participated in the defense of the Confederate stronghold until April of 1865. The Confederate line finally broke in early April. The Army of Northern Virginia began to withdraw towards Appomattox on April 3rd. Johnston's Brigade performed rear guard duty on the retreat. The men made a stand on April 6th at Saylor's Creek and repulsed an assault on their front. On April 7-8, 1865 the Army continued towards Appomattox, arriving there on April 9th where they were surrendered with Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Eighty six men from the North Carolina 23rd were paroled on April 12, 1865 in accordance with Lee's surrender.

Twenty of my family members served in the North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment along with my fiance's 3rd Great Grandfather. Below are brief biographies of these men.

Company E known as the "Granville Targetteers" was raised in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina on June 5, 1861.

Samuel Clark

Samuel Clark was born in Stem, Granville County, North Carolina on September 11, 1832. He is the husband of my 2nd Great Grand Aunt, Louisa Jane Wheeler. Samuel was conscripted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Wake County on July 8, 1862 at the age of 29.

1st Muster Roll for Samuel

He was listed as present and accounted until he was captured at South Mountain, Maryland on September 14-17, 1862.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was captured at South Mountain

Samuel was confined to Fort McHenry, Maryland and Fortress Monroe, Virginia until he was transferred to Aiken's Landing on the James River where he was received on October 19, 1862. Samuel remained at Aiken's Landing until he was exchanged on November 10, 1862.

POW Roll showing Samuel's exchange

He returned to duty in March of 1863. Samuel was wounded in the right thigh and captured during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 3, 1863. His injury resulted in the amputation of his right leg.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was wounded at Chancellorsville resulting in leg amputation

His prosthetic leg is currently on display at the North Carolina Museum of History.

Samuel Clark's Prosthetic Leg and Crutch

Samuel was retired to the Invalid Corps on April 23, 1864.

Samuel received the Badge of Honor for gallantry at Chancellorsville, the Confederate equivalent of the Medal of Honor.

Roll of Honor for Samuel showing he received the Badge of Honor

He returned home to Granville County where he lived an additional 28 years following the end of the Civil War. Samuel Clark died in Dutchville, Granville County, North Carolina on November 27, 1893 at the age of 61. He is buried in the Clark Family Cemetery in Granville County, North Carolina.

Grave of Samuel Clark

Here's my relation to Samuel Clark:

Samuel Clark (1832 - 1893)

husband of 2nd great grand aunt

Louisa Jane Wheeler (1836 - 1898)

wife of Samuel Clark

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

father of Louisa Jane Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

David Goodman Crews was born in Granville County, North Carolina on May 13, 1839. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Prior to the Civil War, David was a farmer by trade. He enlisted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Granville County, North Carolina on June 5, 1861 at the age of 22.

1st Muster Roll for David

David was present and accounted for until he was wounded in the hand at Gaines' Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862. He returned to duty prior to January 1, 1863.

Muster Roll showing David was wounded at Chancellorsville

He was present and accounted for until he was wounded during the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863. David returned to duty in November of 1863 and was promoted to Sergeant on November 1, 1863.

Muster Roll showing David's promotion to Sergeant

He was promoted to Brevet 2nd Lieutenant on September 26, 1864.

Muster Roll showing David's promotion to Brevet 2nd Lieutenant

David was present and accounted for until he was again wounded, this time during the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia on October 19, 1864.

Muster Roll showing David was wounded at Cedar Creek

He returned to duty in November of 1864. David was present and accounted for until he was paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865.

Parole for David

Following the war, David returned home to Granville County, North Carolina, where he lived an additional 56 years. David Goodman Crews died in Granville County, North Carolina on November 30, 1921 at the age of 82. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina.

Grave of David Goodman Crews

Here's my relation to David:

David Goodman Crews (1839 - 1921)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

James A Crews (1813 - 1892)

father of David Goodman Crews

James Crews (1785 - 1875)

father of James A Crews

Gideon Crews (1730 - 1815)

father of James Crews

Abigail Crews (1775 - 1822)

daughter of Gideon Crews

L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)

son of Abigail Crews

William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)

son of L. Chesley Daniel

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Rufus T. Moss was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1842. He is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Rufus was a student prior to his enlistment in the Confederate Army. He enlisted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 5, 1861 at the age of 19.

1st Muster Roll for Rufus

Rufus was present and accounted for until he died from "pneumonia after measles" at Camp Ellis, Virginia on September 14, 1861 at the age of 19. His burial location is not known at this time.

Report showing Rufus' death

Here's my relation to Rufus:

Rufus T. Moss (1842 - 1861)

is your 1st cousin 4x removed

Richard Sell A. Moss (1815 - 1861)

father of Rufus T. Moss

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

father of Richard Sell A. Moss

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Benjamin Lucious Moss

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler was born in Dutchville, Granville County on June 1, 1840. He is my 2nd Great Grand Uncle. Prior to the war, Benjamin was a farmer by trade. Benjamin enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Granville County, North Carolina on June 5, 1861 at the age of 21.

1st Muster for Benjamin

Benjamin was present and accounted for until he was sent to the General Hospital in Richmond, Virginia on Surgeon's Certificate on October 15, 1861.

Muster Roll showing Benjamin was sent to the Hospital

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler died "at home" from disease on November 24, 1861 at the age of 21.

Muster Roll showing Benjamin's Death

He is buried in the C. C. Wheeler Family Cemetery located on land his family had owned since the mid 1700's in Granville County.

Grave of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Here's my relation to Benjamin:

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1840 - 1861)

is your 2nd great grand uncle

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

father of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company F, known as the "Catawba Guards" was raised in Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina on June 6, 1861.

William Robert Davidson Bost

William Robert "Davidson" Bost was born in Catawba County on November 21, 1823. He is my wife's 3rd Great Grandfather and my children's 4th Great Grandfather. Davidson was a Blacksmith prior to the Civil War. He enlisted as a Private in Company F, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Catawba County on June 6, 1861 at the age of 38.

1st Muster Roll for Davidson

From June through November of 1861, Davidson was detailed as a Blacksmith near Union Mills, North Carolina. He returned to the Regiment on December 1, 1861.

Company Return for Davidson

Davidson was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862. He died from his wounds on June 9, 1862. His family was paid the $122.05 that was due to him for his service.

Roll of Honor for Davidson

Davidson was 38 years old at the time of his death. His body was returned to Catawba County. He is buried in the Old St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Newton, Catawba County.

Grave of William Robert Davidson Bost

Here is my wife's relation to Davidson:

William Robert Davidson Bost (1823 - 1862)

is her 3rd great grandfather

Phillip Elcanah Bost (1854 - 1894)

son of William Robert Davidson Bost

James Wellington Bost (1879 - 1965)

son of Phillip Elcanah Bost

Nancy Carolyn Bost (1934 - )

daughter of James Wellington Bost

Elizabeth Myers (1960 - )

daughter of Nancy Carolyn Bost

Melanie Green Stokes

she is the daughter of Elizabeth

Company G, known as the "Granville Rifles" was raised in Granville County, North Carolina on June 11, 1861.

James A. Breedlove

James A. Breedlove was born in Granville County, North Carolina on April 4, 1834. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. James enlisted as a Sergeant in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Henderson County on June 1, 1861 at the age of 27.

1st Muster for James

James was elected 2nd Lieutenant on August 15, 1862 to replace 2nd Lieutenant W. F. Gill who was killed on July 1, 1862.

Muster Roll showing James was elected 2nd Lieutenant

James quickly rose up the Confederate ranks. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on November 3, 1862.

Regimental Return showing James election as 1st Lieutenant

James was promoted a third time, this time to the rank of Captain on February 6, 1863.

Roster showing James promotion to Captain

He was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863.

List showing James was wounded at Chancellorsville

James was captured in the trenches of Petersburg, Virginia on March 26, 1865. He was originally confined to Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1865 before being sent to Fort Delaware on March 30th.

POW roll showing James was confined at Old Capitol Prison before being sent to Fort Delaware

He was released from Fort Delaware, Maryland on June 17, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The description on his oath lists him as having a ruddy complexion and light hair. It also states he was six feet tall with blue eyes.

Oath of Allegiance for James

James returned to Granville County, North Carolina after the end of the Civil War where he lived for an additional 3 years. James A. Breedlove died in Granville County, North Carolina on May 8, 1868 at the age of 34. He is buried in the Salem United Methodist Church near Oxford, North Carolina.

Grave of James A. Breedlove

James' brother John Henry Breedlove also served in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment.

John Henry Breedlove

John Henry Breedlove was born in Granville County, North Carolina on October 2, 1840. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. John was the younger brother of Captain James A. Breedlove. Their youngest brother, Benjamin Isaac Breedlove, served as a Private in Company B, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st Junior Reserves. John enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on July 8, 1862 at the age of 21.

1st Muster Roll for John

John was detailed as a teamster on General Ramseur's Division Wagon Train in October of 1862. According to Confederate Military records, James held this position through the end of the war.

Muster Roll showing John was detailed as a teamster

Following the end of the Civil War, John returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 45 years.

John Henry Breedlove and Family, circa 1894

John Henry Breedlove died in Granville County, North Carolina on May 31, 1910 at the age of 69. He is buried in the Salem United Methodist Church near Oxford, North Carolina.

Grave of John Henry Breedlove

Due to the fact that James and John were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to John:

John Henry Breedlove (1840 - 1910)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Martha Patsy Crews (1806 - 1876)

mother of John Henry Breedlove

Gideon Crews Jr. (1779 - 1859)

father of Martha Patsy Crews

Gideon Crews (1730 - 1815)

father of Gideon Crews Jr.

Abigail Crews (1775 - 1822)

daughter of Gideon Crews

L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)

son of Abigail Crews

William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)

son of L. Chesley Daniel

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Emmett Gooch was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1821. He is my 2nd cousin, 4x removed. Emmett enlisted in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry on February 20, 1862 at the age of 41.

1st Muster Roll for Emmett

Emmett's tenure in the North Carolina 23rd wasn't very long. He was discharged by reason of disability on July 22, 1862.

Muster Roll showing Emmett was discharged

The Surgeon's Certificate states due to disability, Emmett was unfit for duty.

Surgeon's Certificate discharging Emmett from the Confederate Army

Following his discharge, Emmett returned home to Granville County, North Carolina, where he lived for at least an additional 35 years. The last record that can be found for Emmett is the 1900 Federal Census where he and his wife, Fanny are shown living in Dutchville, Granville County, North Carolina with their daughter, Rebecca and her husband. His date of death and burial location are not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Emmett:

Emmett Gooch (1821 - 1900)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler (1798 - 1870)

mother of Emmett Gooch

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

father of Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

father of Martin Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

son of William Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Hilliard Grisham was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1830. He is my 1st cousin, 7x removed. Hilliard enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on February 20, 1862 at the age of 22.

1st Muster for Hilliard

On April 20, 1862, Hilliard was sent to the hospital in Richmond, Virginia for an undisclosed reason. He returned to his Company in October of 1862, but was sent back to the hospital in November by recommendation of the surgeon.

Muster Roll showing Hilliard was sent to the Hospital

On January 1, 1863, Hilliard died from the disease that had plagued him. He was 23 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Muster Roll showing Hilliard's death

Here's my relation to Hilliard:

Hilliard Grisham (1830 - 1863)

is your 1st cousin 7x removed

Lucy Hester (1784 - 1850)

mother of Hilliard Grisham

William Stephen Hester (1716 - 1774)

father of Lucy Hester

Mary Hester (1760 - 1818)

daughter of William Stephen Hester

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

son of Mary Hester

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Samuel Wesley Reavis

Samuel Wesley Reavis was born in Granville County, North Carolina on July 18, 1843. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Prior to the war, Samuel and his brother Thomas Coghill (T.C) Reavis were both farmers by trade. The Reavis brothers lived on a farm that had been in their family for several generations.
Samuel enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 11, 1861 at the age of 17. He fibbed about his age in order to enlist, reasoning that he would soon be the appropriate 18 years of age.

1st Muster for Samuel

Samuel's real age was found out by the March and April of 1862 Muster Roll. The remarks note that he was under 18 years of age and not entitled to a bounty.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was under 18 years of age when he enlisted

Samuel was listed as being present and accounted for through February of 1864 when he was allowed to go home on furlough for 18 days beginning on February 25, 1864.

Muster Roll showing Samuel's furlough

On September 19, 1864, Samuel was captured by Federal forces while he was on picket duty near Winchester, Virginia.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was captured by the enemy

On September 20, 1864, Samuel was sent to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He was then transferred to the Federal Prison Camp at Point Lookout, Maryland on September 23, 1864.

POW Roll for Samuel

On March 25, 1865, Samuel was transferred to Aiken's Landing, Virginia for exchange.

POW Roll showing Samuel's exchange

Following his exchange, Samuel returned to his Company. When the war ended, he returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 58 years. By the time of his death, the part of Granville County, that he lived in had become Vance County. Samuel Wesley Reavis died in Vance County, North Carolina on October 19, 1923 at the age of 80. He is buried in the Wiggins-Basket Cemetery in Henderson, Vance County.

Grave of Samuel Wesley Reavis

The Reavis brothers were raised in the Old Reavis House, which was built around 1789/90

Thomas Coghill Reavis was born in Granville County, North Carolina on March 11, 1838. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Thomas or T.C. as he would later be referred to, was the older brother of Samuel Wesley Reavis.

Thomas Coghill "T.C." Reavis

Although T.C. was older than Samuel, he was conscripted nearly a year after his brother's enlistment. T.C. was conscripted into the Confederate Army on July 2, 1862. He was 24 years old when he entered Company G, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment.

1st Muster Roll for T.C.

T. C. was wounded in the Battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam on September 17, 1862. His brother, Samuel helped him to safety. His injury would plague him for the remainder of the Civil War.

T.C. spent the remainder of 1862 and a good part of 1863 in a Confederate Hospital in Richmond recovering from his wounds. He was sent home on furlough to further recover from his wounds. Perhaps it was being at home with his family, or the carnage that he had seen on the battlefield or both, but for whatever reason T.C. decided to stay at home a little longer than his furlough allowed.

Muster Roll showing T.C. was absent without leave

T.C. was "absent without leave from April 20, 1863 to June of 1863. He returned to his Regiment on June 25, 1863.

As stated before, the wounds that T.C. received at the Battle of Sharpsburg would plague him for the remainder of the war. He was never deemed "unfit for duty", however was never of full use to his Regiment.
On February 3, 1864, by order of the Confederate Secretary of War, T.C. was detailed for Provost Guard duty at Camp Holmes in Raleigh, North Carolina. He would remain in this position until the end of the war.

Muster Roll showing T.C. was detailed for Provost Guard duty in Raleigh

Following the end of the Civil War, T.C. returned home to Granville County, North Carolina. By 1880, he and his family had relocated to Warren County, North Carolina, where he would live until his death in 1926. Thomas Coghill Reavis died in Warren County, North Carolina on April 1, 1926 at the age of 88. He is buried in the Thomas Coghill Reavis Cemetery in Warren County.

T.C. Reavis House in Warren County

Due to the fact that Samuel and T.C. were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Thomas Coghill:

Thomas Coghill Reavis (1838 - 1926)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Lewis Pleasant Reavis (1804 - 1880)

father of Thomas Coghill Reavis

Martha Patsey Green Harris (1784 - 1850)

mother of Lewis Pleasant Reavis

Capt. Isham Harris (1741 - 1824)

father of Martha Patsey Green Harris

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

son of Capt. Isham Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

A wonderful book has recently been written by a direct descendant of the Reavis family who actually grew up in the Old Reavis House. Upon These Steps: Brothers in the NC 23rd Regiment by David C. Reavis. Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing on December 7, 2012. I purchased this book from the Granville County History Museum, not knowing that I was related to the books main characters. By the time I got to the 5th or 6th page, I noticed a name that looked familiar, Martha Patsey Harris. Martha was the grandmother of the Reavis brothers. She also happens to be my 5th Great Grand Aunt. I Highly recommend this book. Reavis does a great job with his testament to these brave men. Below is a link to the author's page that gives details on how to purchase. The book is also available from most major booksellers.

http://www.uponthesesteps.com/

Company I, known as the "Granville Stars" was raised at Oak Hill, Granville County, North Carolina on June 17, 1861.

Stephen H. Beasley

Stephen H. Beasley was born in Granville County, North Carolina in June of 1834. He is my 2nd cousin 6x removed. Stephen enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 17, 1861 at the age of 27.

He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on June 18, 1862. Stephen surrendered with the Regiment on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Following the end of the war, Stephen settled in Lenoir County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 45 years. Stephen H. Beasley died in Lenior County, North Carolina sometime in 1910 at the age of 76. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Stephen:

Stephen H. Beasley (1834 - 1910)

is your 2nd cousin 6x removed

Fleming Beasley (1799 - 1861)

father of Stephen H. Beasley

Sarah Sally Pomfret (1763 - 1848)

mother of Fleming Beasley

John Pomfret (1720 - 1814)

father of Sarah Sally Pomfret

Frances Hunt Pomfret (1747 - 1826)

daughter of John Pomfret

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

son of Frances Hunt Pomfret

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

William Currin

William Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina on August 2, 1827. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. William enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on March 1, 1862 at the age of 37. William's 1st cousin, Wyatt Currin, also served in Company I. Confederate records confuse the two of them, thus William's records were overlooked and filed as Wyatt's.

Reference Slip showing that William was mistaken for Wyatt

William died in Richmond, Virginia from wounds sustained in battle on June 6, 1862 at the age of 35. His body was returned to Granville County, North Carolina where it was buried in the Hester Baptist Church Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina.

Grave of William Currin

Here's my relation to William:

William Currin (1827 - 1862)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Sarah "Sally" Blackwell (1801 - 1876)

mother of William Currin

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

father of Sarah "Sally" Blackwell

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Wyatt Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1829. He is my 1st cousin 6x removed. Wyatt enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment at Camp Holmes in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 2, 1863 at the age of 34.

1st Muster Roll for Wyatt

Wyatt was captured by the enemy on May 12, 1864 during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was originally confined to Point Lookout Prison, Maryland before being transferred to Elmira Prison, New York.

POW Roll showing Wyatt's capture

Wyatt was received at Elmira Prison on August 14, 1864. He died from variola on February 15, 1865 at the age of 36.

POW Roll showing Wyatt's death

Wyatt Currin is buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York along with the other Confederate Prisoners of War who died at Elmira.

Here's my relation to Wyatt:

Wyatt Currin (1829 - 1865)

is your 1st cousin 6x removed

Wyatt Currin (1794 - 1844)

father of Wyatt Currin

Hugh Currin (1744 - 1823)

father of Wyatt Currin

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

son of Hugh Currin

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Lewis L. Daniel was born in Granville County, North Carolina on July 31, 1838. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Lewis enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in 1862 at the age of 23.

Lewis was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No. 4 on September 6, 1862 for general debility, meaning he was very weak and feeble. The nature of his illness is not known, however Lewis died from the disease on September 23, 1862 at the age of 24.

Sick and Wounded Report showing Lewis died from disease

His body was returned to his home of Granville County, North Carolina where it was buried in the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina.

Grave of Lewis L. Daniel

Here's my relation to Lewis:

Lewis L. Daniel (1838 - 1862)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Willis Daniel (1801 - 1886)

father of Lewis L. Daniel

William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)

father of Willis Daniel

L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)

son of William Ford Daniel

William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)

son of L. Chesley Daniel

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

William Washington Hart was born in Granville County, North Carolina on January 17, 1845. He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed. William enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 17, 1861 at that age of 17.

1st Muster Roll for William

William was promoted to Full Corporal on March 15, 1862. He was listed as present and accounted for until he surrendered with Robert E. Lee's troops at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, when he was given full parole.

Parole for William

Following the end of the Civil War, William returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived for an additional 49 years. William Washington Hart died in Granville County, North Carolina on April 19, 1914 at the age of 69. He is buried in the Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina.

Grave of William Washington Hart

Here's my relation to William:

William Washington Hart (1845 - 1914)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

George Washington Hart (1808 - 1901)

father of William Washington Hart

John Hart (1783 - 1844)

father of George Washington Hart

Jane Pomfret (1751 - 1823)

mother of John Hart

John Pomfret (1720 - 1814)

father of Jane Pomfret

Frances Hunt Pomfret (1747 - 1826)

daughter of John Pomfret

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

son of Frances Hunt Pomfret

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Robert Hester was born in Granville County, North Carolina on December 15, 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 6x removed. Robert enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 17, 1861 at the age of 19.

1st Muster Roll for Robert

Robert received the Badge of Honor following the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863. His Roll of Honor citation states that he was "the most gallant man in Company I". It also states that he was severely wounded.

Roll of Honor for Robert

Robert was listed as being present and accounted for until he surrendered with Robert E. Lee's troops at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, when he was issued parole.

Robert's Parole

Following the end of the Civil War, Robert returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived until at least 1880. Robert and his family relocated to Edgecombe County, North Carolina sometime after the 1880 Federal Census. He lived an additional 34 years following the end of the Civil War. Robert Hester died in Edgecombe County, North Carolina on December 25, 1899 at the age of 57. He is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

Grave of Robert Hester

Henry Jadson Hester was born in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina on July 12, 1838. He is also my 2nd cousin 6x removed. Henry was the younger brother of Robert Hester. Henry enlisted as a Sergeant in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on June 17, 1861 at the age of 22.

1st Muster Roll for Henry

Henry was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines and the Battle of Chancellorsville. His Roll of Honor citation states that he was "considered one of the most gallant soldiers in the Company".

Roll of Honor for Henry

Following his injury at Chancellorsville, Henry was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No. 4 on May 6, 1863. He was transferred to a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 23rd.

Hospital Register for Henry

General Robert E. Lee ordered that Henry be detailed as a teamster on the pontoon train on August 1, 1863.

Special Order No. 210 showing General Lee had placed Henry on duty as a teamster

Henry was detailed as a teamster from August 1, 1863 through October of 1864. He returned to his Company in November of 1864.

Muster Roll showing Henry had returned to his Company

He was listed as present and accounted for through the end of the war. Following the end of the Civil War, Henry returned home to Granville County, North Carolina, where he lived until at least 1880. Henry and his family relocated to Wilson County, North Carolina sometime before 1900. He and his family are found living in Wilson County in the 1900 Federal Census. Henry was widowed sometime before 1920. In 1920, Henry is found living in the Old Soldiers' Home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Raleigh Old Soldiers' Home, 1890-1938

Henry Jadson Hester lived an additional 62 years following the end of the Civil War. He died at the Old Soldiers' in Raleigh, North Carolina on January 4, 1927 at the age of 88. His burial location is not known at this time.

Due to the fact that Robert and Henry Jadson Hester are brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Henry:

Henry Jadson Hester (1838 - 1927)

is your 2nd cousin 6x removed

Francis Hester Jr (1800 - 1864)

father of Henry Jadson Hester

Francis Hester (1767 - 1812)

father of Francis Hester Jr

William Stephen Hester (1716 - 1774)

father of Francis Hester

Mary Hester (1760 - 1818)

daughter of William Stephen Hester

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

son of Mary Hester

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Charles Fleming West was born in Granville County, North Carolina on January 12, 1837. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Records indicate that he preferred to go by his middle name, Fleming. Fleming enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment at "Waterloo" on June 17, 1861 at the age of 27.

Fleming was taken prisoner at Boonsboro, Maryland during the Battle of South Mountain on September 15, 1862.

POW Roll showing Fleming was capture on September 15, 1862

Fleming was paroled and returned to his Regiment sometime before January of 1862. He was again taken prisoner, this time during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

Muster Roll showing Fleming was captured at Gettysburg

He was originally confined to Fort McHenry, Maryland before being transferred to Fort Delaware in July of 1863.

POW Roll for Fleming

Fleming was again transferred, this time to Point Lookout, Maryland on October 18, 1863.

POW Roll showing Fleming's transfer to Forth Delaware

Fleming was transferred to Hammond U.S. General Hospital at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he was paroled in March of 1864.

POW Roll showing Fleming's Parole

Following his parole, he was sent to Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia to regain his strength.

Hospital Muster Roll for Fleming

Fleming returned to the Company in November of 1864.

Muster Roll showing Fleming's return to the Company

He was listed as present and accounted for until he was surrendered with Robert E. Lee's troops at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Parole for Fleming

Following the end of the Civil War, Fleming returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived until at least 1890. Fleming and his family are listed as living in Franklin County, North Carolina in the 1900 Federal Census, in Warren County in the 1910 Federal Census and in Vance County in the 1920 Federal Census.

Charles Fleming West lived an additional 57 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Vance County, North Carolina on May 9, 1922. His burial location is not known at this time.

William Robert West was born in Granville County, North Carolina on February 14, 1841. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. William was the younger brother of Fleming West. According to records, he preferred to go by his middle name. Robert enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment in Oxford, North Carolina on July 8, 1862 at the age of 21.

1st Muster for Robert

Robert was taken prisoner during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864.

Muster Roll showing Robert was captured

He was originally confined to Point Lookout, Maryland on May 18, 1864 before being transferred to Elmira Prison on August 10, 1864.

POW Roll showing Robert's transfer

Robert was paroled from Elmira Prison on October 11, 1864.

Robert's Parole from Elmira Prison

Following his parole from Elmira Prison, Robert was exchanged at City Point, Virginia on October 29, 1864.

POW Roll showing Robert's exchange

'

Robert was again captured by Federal troops, this time near Petersburg, Virginia on March 25, 1865. He arrived at City Point, Virginia on March 28th and was again sent to Point Lookout, Maryland.

POW Roll showing Robert's capture near Petersburg

Robert was released from Point Lookout, Maryland on June 22, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Oath of Allegiance for Robert

Following the end of the Civil War, Robert returned to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived until at least 1890. He and his family are found living in Franklin County, North Carolina in the 1900 Federal Census. William Robert West lived an additional 52 years after the end of the Civil War. He died in Cedar Rock, Franklin County, North Carolina on January 25, 1917 at the age of 75. William is buried in the White Level Baptist Church Cemetery in Louisburg, North Carolina.

Grave of William Robert West

Due to the fact that Fleming and Robert were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Robert:

William Robert West (1841 - 1917)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Mildred Currin (1820 - 1880)

mother of William Robert West

Wyatt Currin (1794 - 1844)

father of Mildred Currin

Hugh Currin (1744 - 1823)

father of Wyatt Currin

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

son of Hugh Currin

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Stephen Spencer West

Stephen Spencer West was born in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina in 1837. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Stephen was the double first cousin of both Fleming and Robert West. Their mother, Mildred Currin was the sister of Stephen's mother Nancy Currin, their Father Peter West was the brother of Stephen's father Thomas West.

Stephen enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment on February 28, 1862 at the age of 25.

1st Muster for Stephen

He was listed as present and accounted for through April of 1863. He was killed in action during the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863.

List showing Stephen was killed at Chancellorsville

Stephen's name appears on the Confederate Roll of Honor for being killed in Battle at Chancellorsville.

Roll of Honor for Stephen

Stephen Spencer West was 26 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time. It is quite possible that Stephen lays in an unmarked grave near the Chancellorsville Battlefield.

Here's my relation to Stephen:

Stephen Spencer West (1837 - 1863)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Nancy Currin (1817 - 1896)

mother of Stephen Spencer West

Wyatt Currin (1794 - 1844)

father of Nancy Currin

Hugh Currin (1744 - 1823)

father of Wyatt Currin

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

son of Hugh Currin

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

The Farrar Brothers: Three Confederates, One Yankee and One Gurerilla

2013-05-29T21:37:00.000-04:00

"Brother vs Brother"

The Farrar brothers are all my 1st cousins 5x removed. Their mother, Elizabeth Roland Harris Farrar was the sister of my 4th Great Grandmother, Ann Washington Harris. Elizabeth married John Howard "Jack" Farrar in Warren County, North Carolina on November 20, 1817. Jack was a War of 1812 Veteran, having served as a Sergeant in Captain Strother's Company, 10th United States Infantry.   Jack's father, Abel Farrar served in the American Revolution. He is reported to have lost a leg in the Battle of Guilford County Court House. Jack and his family moved to the Benton County, Tennessee area sometime around 1834. Jack and Elizabeth would have 10 children who lived into adulthood, 7 boys and 3 girls.  Two sons, Samuel Terry Farrar and John Ingle Farrar are not believed to have served in any capacity with either the Union or the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Albert Gallatin Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina in January of 1817.  He was the eldest Farrar brother. In 1834, Albert followed his father and family to Benton County, Tennessee. By 1854, Albert and his brother Junius, had settled near Cave Springs, Arkansas where they homesteaded around 200 acres. By March of 1862, the Western Theater of the Civil War had expanded to Cave Springs, Arkansas. Although there are no official records of Albert serving the Confederacy in any official capacity, family lore states he was killed during the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas between March 6 - 8, 1862. His body was found on the battlefield and was buried in a private cemetery on the outskirts of Cave Springs. An unconfirmed family legend states that Albert was quite possibly killed by his own brother Junius Henry Farrar.

Junius and Albert reportedly did not see eye to eye on secession. This could have come in to play as the Battle of Pea Ridge raged near their homestead. Either way, Albert's life was indeed ended at the battle.   He is buried in a small private cemetery on the outskirts of Cave Springs, Arkansas.

Grave of Albert Gallatin Farrar

James Franklin Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina on October 4, 1819. He was the second son born to Jack and Elizabeth. James also relocated to the Bedford County, Tennessee area with his family sometime around 1834. James enlisted as a Private in Company K, Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment at Camp Trousdale, Tennessee on November 2, 1861 at the age of 42.

1st Muster for James

The Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment completed it's organization at Camp Trousdale, Sumner County, Tennessee on November 28, 1861. After its organization, the Regiment proceeded to Bowling Green, Kentucky where it was placed in Colonel W. E. Baldwin's Brigade, Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner's Division of the Central Army of Kentucky. Other Regiments in the Brigade included the 14th, 26th Mississippi Infantry Regiments, 26th and 41st Tennessee Infantry Regiments.

Battle Flag of the Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment

The Brigade was ordered to Fort Donelson, Tennessee on February 12, 1862 where the Brigade was temporarily divided. The 14th Mississippi and 41st Tennessee Regiments, along with Porter's and Graves' Batteries, were attached to Colonel John C. Brown's Brigade also in General Buckner's Division. The 26th Mississippi and 26th Tennessee were detached to Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow's Division.

Battle of Fort Donelson, by Kurz and Allison (1887)

The Battle of Fort Donelson took place between February 11 - 16 of 1862. The Tennessee 41st was held in reserve for the early stages of the battle. The Regiment was not heavily engaged until the Federal assault on Buckner's position late in the afternoon of February 15th. Out of the 575 men reportedly engaged, 2 were killed, 6 were wounded and 26 were reported as missing. The remainder of the Regiment was surrendered with the rest of Buckner's force following the Union victory on February 16th.

There is no report that James was captured at Fort Donelson. Many men who were not captured at Fort Donelson served in other Regiments. Many of those men returned to the Regiment when it was reorganized on September 29, 1862.

James reportedly had medical issues that caused him to apply for a disability discharge on December 1, 1862. He was discharged on March 18, 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana.

Muster Roll showing James' Discharge

James returned home to Bedford County, Tennessee after the war. He lived an additional 39 years following the end of the Civil War. James died in Flat Creek, Bedford County, Tennessee on March 16, 1904 at the age of 84. His burial location is not known at this time.

James Franklin Farrar

Junius Henry Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina on February 12, 1823. He was the third son and fourth child born to Jack and Elizabeth. A daughter, Martha Holmes Farrar, was born in 1821. An interesting side note: Two of Martha Farrar Covey's son's, James Rager Covey and Welcome "Welk" Junius Covey served in Company F, Arkansas 15th Northwest Infantry, Confederate States of America during the Civil War.  They are both my 2nd cousins 4x removed.  Welcome Junius Covey was undoubtedly named after Junius Henry Farrar, yet the two served on opposite sides of the Nation's greatest conflict.

Marriage Records indicate Junius Farrar was living in Benton County, Arkansas by July 7, 1843, when he married Cassandra Nail.  Junius was apparently a Union sympathizer. He didn't join the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, but rather after his farm was burned down for the second time by bushwhackers.

On July 12, 1863, Junius along with his sons John Harrison and Nicholas, enlisted as a Privates in Company F, Arkansas 2nd Volunteer Cavalry (United States). John Harrison Farrar and Nicholas Farrar are also my 2nd cousin 4x removed. They would have been 1st cousins with James Rager and Welcome Junius Covey.   Junius Farrar was 40 years old at the time of his enlistment. John Harrison and Nicholas were 18 and 17 respectively.

1st Muster for Junius

The Arkansas 2nd Volunteer Cavalry (United States) was organized in Helena, Arkansas and Pine Knob, Missouri in July of 1862. Although Arkansas had seceded from the Union in 1861, she provided 11 Federal Regiments to the Union Army during the Civil War. Many families in the mountains of North-Central Arkansas held sympathy with the Union. Groups of men formed secret societies, known collectively as the Arkansas Peace Society, that were set up to resist Confederate authority.

In the Summer of 1862, the Union Army had made its way to Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas where they made an abortive attempt to capture Little Rock in Pulaski County. Although the attempt on Little Rock had failed, a Union presence remained in Helena. Helena would become a rendezvous point for loyal Arkansans seeking protection and vengeance from local bushwhackers.

By July of 1862, a recruiting office had been set up on Main Street in Helena. Colonel W. James Morgan of Missouri had been given permission to establish a Regiment known as the First Arkansas Mounted Rangers. New recruits came in on a daily basis and it wasn't long before there were 3 Companies comprised of nearly 400 men. Mismanagement on the part of local authorities and the dismissal of Colonel Morgan compelled Federal officials to send the recruits to St. Louis, Missouri in May of 1863 where they were consolidated with another Arkansas Regiment. Following the consolidation, the unit's designation was changed to the Second Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry (United States).

The 2nd Arkansas spent much of its time patrolling Northern Arkansas in search of Confederate Guerrillas and Bandits who preyed on the local population. Their specific knowledge of the terrain made them a valuable instrument in the Federal Army. The Regiment very seldom acted as a unified command, but rather as small detachments that were scattered around the countryside to deal with the Confederate forces in the area. On May 3, 1864, a foraging party from the 2nd Arkansas was ambushed by Guerrillas at Richland Creek. The Confederates refused to take any prisoners, and by the time the fighting was over, nearly 40 men from the 2nd Arkansas were dead. The Regiment gained success in its ability to conduct counter-guerrilla operations. In January of 1865, the unit was transferred east of the Mississippi River and served in Tennessee and Mississippi until the end of the war. The Second Arkansas was the only Arkansas Union regiment to serve extensively outside the state during the war.

Junius Henry Farrar was elected Sergeant on November 18, 1863.

Muster Roll showing Junius was elected Sergeant

He was listed as being present and accounted for through August of 1865. Junius Henry Farrar and his sons were mustered out of the United States Army on August 20, 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee. They returned home to Benton County, Arkansas. Junius reportedly lost an eye sometime after the Civil War due to an infection. Junius and both of his sons received a Pension for their service to the United States.

Junius Henry Farrar

Junius lived an additional 34 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Benton County, Arkansas on June 24, 1899 at the age of 76. He is buried in Elm Springs Cemetery in Washington County, Arkansas.

Grave of Sergeant Junius Henry Farrar

Rufus Harrison Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1826. Rufus was the fourth son and fifth child born to Jack and Elizabeth. By the mid 1830's Rufus was also living in Bedford County, Tennessee. Rufus enlisted as a Private in Company F, Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment on May 1, 1861 at the age of 35.

1st Muster Roll for Rufus

The Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment completed its organization in Nashville, Tennessee on May 6, 1861. Following its organization, the unit moved to Lynchburg, Virginia where it was mustered into Confederate service by Colonel Edmund Kirby Smith on May 12th. Due to the fact that it was the second Regiment from Tennessee to be mustered into Confederate service, it was given the designation Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment. William Brimage Bate was elected as Colonel of the Regiment.

William Brimage Bate

The Regiment first came under fire at Aquia Creek, Virginia on June 1, 1861, when it was tasked with supporting Confederate Artillery Batteries in an engagement with Federal warships. Following the engagement, the Regiment was assigned to Brigadier General Theophilus H. Holmes' Brigade along with the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Holmes' Brigade constituted the extreme right wing of General Pierre G. T. Beauregard's Army. At the end of June 1981, the Brigade was ordered to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they were given orders to proceed down the Rappahanock River and capture Federal supply ships. They succeeded in capturing the Saint Nicholas, the Halifax, and the Mary of Virginia.

On July 19, 1861, the Brigade joined the remainder of Beauregard's forces at Manassas, Virginia where they prepared for an engagement with the Federal army. On July 21st, Holmes' Brigade was placed in support of Brigadier General Richard S. Ewell's Brigade, and was not actively engaged in the fighting. The Brigade did come under heavy fire while shifting position in the afternoon of the battle. Following the Confederate victory at Manassas, the Regiment was ordered to Evansport, now Quantico, Virginia by way of Fredericksburg. In Evansport, the Regiment was placed in Brigadier General Samuel G. French's Brigade. Other units in French's Brigade were the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Battalion, the 35th Georgia, 22nd North Carolina, and 47th Virginia Infantry Regiments. There the Brigade assisted in the erection of Batteries and other defenses. In February of 1862, the Regiment re-enlisted for 3 years or the duration of the war.

The Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment ended its service in the Eastern Theater on February 9, 1862, when along with the Tennessee 1st and 3rd Infantry Regiments, it was ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee to aid in the defense of Eastern Tennessee. Actions in the Western Theater dictated a change in action after the fall of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry. After a brief furlough, the Regiment rendezvoused at Huntsville, Alabama at the end of March. The unit was reorganized on April 2, 1862 and proceeded to Corinth, Mississippi where they began preparations for the Battle of Shiloh.

The Battle of Shiloh by T. C. Lindsay

At the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, the Regiment was placed in Brigadier General Patrick R. Cleburne's Brigade, together with the 15th Arkansas, the 6th Mississippi, the 5th, 23rd, and 24th Tennessee Infantry Regiments. Cleburne's Brigade was attached to Major General William J. Hardee's Corps in General Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of Mississippi. Colonel Bate reported that the Regiment entered the Battle of Shiloh with only 365 effectives. Colonel Bate was severely wounded and several of his men were killed or wounded in a charge on the first day of fighting. Bate recovered from his wounds and was promoted to Brigadier General on October 2, 1862.

Muster Roll showing Rufus was killed during the Battle of Shiloh

Rufus Harrison Farrar was killed in action on April 6, 1862 during the Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment's charge on the Union line at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. He was 36 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Lucius Augustus "Gus" Farrar was born on May 9, 1838 in Bedford County, Tennessee. He was the seventh son and tenth child born to Jack and Elizabeth. Lucius enlisted in Company K, Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment at Camp Harris, Tennessee on May 18, 1861 at the age of 23. He was transferred to Company H sometime before the March - April of 1862 Muster Roll.

1st Muster Roll for Lucius showing transfer to Company H

Recreation of the Tennessee 8th Regimental Flag

The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment began its organization in May of 1861. Some elements of the Regiment had been assembled at Camp Harris in Franklin County, Tennessee on May 18, 1861. The Regiment completed its organization on May 29, 1861 at Camp Trousdale. By July of 1861, the unit totaled 887 effectives armed with percussion muskets. The Regiment arrived in Huntersville, Virginia on July 21st and was assigned to Brigadier General Daniel Smith Donelson's Brigade along with the Tennessee 16th, and the Georgia 1st and 14th Infantry Regiments. Donelson had selected the location for the Fort that bared his name in Tennessee earlier in the year.

General Daniel Smith Donelson

Donelson's Brigade participated in the Battle of Cheat Mountain on September 12 - 15, 1861. Following the Union victory, the Brigade was sent to Port Royal, South Carolina on December 16, 1861. There they skirmished with Federals at the Port Royal Ferry on January 1, 1862.

On April 10, 1862, Donelson's Brigade totalling 1572 men, was ordered to report to the Western Theater in Corinth, Mississippi. In October of 1862, the unit participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky. The battle resulted in a tactical victory for the Confederates due to the number of casualties inflicted on the enemy. The Federals claimed a strategic victory due to the Confederate withdrawal.

The Brigade participated in the Battle of Murfreesboro/Stones River from December 31, 1862 - January 2, 1863. The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment was reported as doing "valiant service" during the battle, but was inflicted with heavy casualties, losing 306 men killed or wounded out of the 474 engaged. During the Battle, Donelson's Brigade captured 11 pieces of Artillery and over 1,000 prisoners of war.

The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment also participated in the Battles of Franklin, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Nashville before joining General Joseph E. Johnston's command in North Carolina. It was surrendered and paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina.
Lucius was elected First Sergeant on May 8, 1862 during the reorganization of the Company.

Muster Roll showing Lucius' promotion to Sergeant

He was wounded and "left in the hands of the enemy" following the Battle of Murfreesboro/Stone's River on December 31, 1862.

Muster Roll showing Lucius was wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro

Initially, Lucius was sent to a Federal Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky on January 5, 1863. From there he was confined to Camp Butler, Illinois on March 11th.

POW Roll showing Lucius was transferred to Camp Butler

Lucius was issued Parole sometime after March of 1863, vowing not to take up arms or do any hostile acts against the United States until regularly exchanged.

Parole for Lucius

He appears on a Muster Roll for his unit in Dalton, Georgia on January 9, 1864. On May 31, 1864, he is shown on a Muster Report as being present and accounted for, however he is listed as "pronounced unfit for field service by Medical Board and Certificate forwarded to headquarters."

During the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Lucius was again captured, this time by elements of General William Tecumseh Sherman's command.

POW Roll showing Lucius was captured on July 22, 1864

He was again sent to a Federal Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky before being sent to Camp Chase, Ohio on July 30, 1864.

POW Roll showing Lucius was transferred to Camp Chase

Lucius signed the Oath of Allegiance on March 22, 1865 and was released from Camp Chase, Ohio on March 28, 1865.

Oath of Allegiance for Lucius

Lucius Augustus "Gus" Farrar lived an additional 47 years following the end of the Civil War. He returned home to Bedford, Tennessee where he died on January 12, 1912 at the age of 73. He is buried in the Moore Chapel Cemetery in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Grave of Lucius Augustus Farrar

Due to the fact that I share the same relationship with each of the Farrar brothers, I'm only listing one relation chart.

Here's my relation to Lucius Augustus Farrar:

Lucius Augustus Farrar (1838 - 1912)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Elizabeth Roland Harris (1800 - 1886)

mother of Lucius Augustus Farrar

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Elizabeth Roland Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Memorial/Decoration Day

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Civil War Flag of Company A, New York 16th Infantry Regiment

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is as Federal Holiday that occurs on the last Monday in the month of May. It is a day in which we take time to remember the sacrifices of those brave men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day originated in the days following the American Civil War. There is documentation that shows women in Savannah, Georgia were decorating the graves of Confederate Soldiers as early as 1862. President Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address" on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania claim that ladies decorated Soldier's graves there on July 4, 1864.

The first well known well known observance of a Memorial Day-esque event was in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1, 1865. During the Civil War, Union Soldiers were held as prisoners of war in the Charleston Race Course. As many as 257 of those soldiers died there and were buried in shallow, unmarked graves. Freed Blacks cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground and erected a stone arch labeled "Martyrs of the Race Course." Nearly ten thousand people gathered on May 1st to commemorate the dead, most brought flowers to lay on the burial field. This celebration would be referred to by some as the "First Decoration Day".

In April of 1866, tens of thousands of ladies in the South gathered in their respective towns to commemorate their war dead. Ladies Memorial Associations began to spring up all over the South. Their purpose was to decorate the graves of the Confederate Soldiers who died during the war. Soon, all the States in the South caught on and began celebrating Confederate Memorial Day.

General John A. Logan

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, commander of the Union Civil War Veterans Fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republic or GAR, issued a proclamation that Decoration Day should be observed Nationwide and annually. Logan emulated the practices of the Confederate Memorial Day holiday stating, "it was not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South in perpetuating the memory of their friends who had died for the cause they thought just and right."

On May 30, 1865, Memorial Day as we know it was celebrated for the first time. Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Events were held in 183 cemeteries in 27 States. Northern States quickly began to adopt the holiday. Ceremonies were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps, which numbered 100,000 strong. By 1870, the remains of over 300,000 Union Soldiers had been reinterred in 73 National Cemeteries, located near various battlefields from the war. The preferred name of the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882. By 1890, all the Northern States had adopted the holiday. Southern States refused to acknowledge the holiday, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I. The National celebration did not become a common occurrence until after World War II.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

On May 3, 1915, Canadian Physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote the words to the now famous poem "In Flanders Fields". McCrae was inspired to write it after presiding over the funeral of his friend and fellow soldier, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8, 1915 in London's Punch magazine.

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields."

In November of 1918, humanitarian and Professor Moina Michael, penned the poem "We Shall Keep The Faith". The inspiration of her poem was McCrae's "In Flanders Fields".

"Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a luster to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields."

Michael then conceived an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who had died while serving the Nation in war. She was the first to commemorate this practice.

In 1967, "Memorial Day" was declared the official name of the holiday by Federal Law. The "Uniform Monday Holiday Act" of 1968 moved four holidays, including Memorial Day from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create 3 day weekends. This changed Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May. Traditionally, United States flags are placed on the graves of Soldiers who died while serving our country.

Graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day

Many cities in the United States have National Cemeteries where veterans and war dead alike are buried. The Raleigh National Cemetery was one of five National Cemeteries established in 1865 to provide burial grounds for Union Dead. The cemetery was established while General William Tecumseh Sherman was in possession of the City of Raleigh in April of 1865. The location of the cemetery was formerly known as Camp Green, a U.S. Army post for the Union occupation fort. A post cemetery containing 32 unknown Union Soldiers pre-dates the National Cemetery.

Unknown Union Soldier's Grave at Raleigh National Cemetery

The cemetery also contains casualties and veterans from each war the United States has participated in since the American Civil War. There are six groups of burials dating to World War II that contain the remains of 16 servicemen. The graves are marked with flat markers that bear the name, rank, and date of death of each of the 16 men.

Sergeant William Maud Bryant

The Raleigh National Cemetery is also the final resting place for Vietnam War Era Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant William Maud Bryant. The following excerpt is Sergeant Bryant's Medal of Honor Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Bryant, assigned to Company A, distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer of Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company 321, 2d Battalion, 3d Mobile Strike Force Command, during combat operations. The battalion came under heavy fire and became surrounded by the elements of 3 enemy regiments. Sfc. Bryant displayed extraordinary heroism throughout the succeeding 34 hours of incessant attack as he moved throughout the company position heedless of the intense hostile fire while establishing and improving the defensive perimeter, directing fire during critical phases of the battle, distributing ammunition, assisting the wounded, and providing the leadership and inspirational example of courage to his men. When a helicopter drop of ammunition was made to re-supply the beleaguered force, Sfc. Bryant with complete disregard for his safety ran through the heavy enemy fire to retrieve the scattered ammunition boxes and distributed needed ammunition to his men. During a lull in the intense fighting, Sfc. Bryant led a patrol outside the perimeter to obtain information of the enemy. The patrol came under intense automatic weapons fire and was pinned down. Sfc. Bryant single-handedly repulsed 1 enemy attack on his small force and by his heroic action inspired his men to fight off other assaults. Seeing a wounded enemy soldier some distance from the patrol location, Sfc. Bryant crawled forward alone under heavy fire to retrieve the soldier for intelligence purposes. Finding that the enemy soldier had expired, Sfc. Bryant crawled back to his patrol and led his men back to the company position where he again took command of the defense. As the siege continued, Sfc. Bryant organized and led a patrol in a daring attempt to break through the enemy encirclement. The patrol had advanced some 200 meters by heavy fighting when it was pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers and Sfc. Bryant was severely wounded. Despite his wounds he rallied his men, called for helicopter gunship support, and directed heavy suppressive fire upon the enemy positions. Following the last gunship attack, Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, overrunning it, and single-handedly destroying its 3 defenders. Inspired by his heroic example, his men renewed their attack on the entrenched enemy. While regrouping his small force for the final assault against the enemy, Sfc. Bryant fell mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Sfc. Bryant's selfless concern for his comrades, at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Grave of Sergeant William Maud Bryant

On May 18th, I visited the Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina. While many National Cemeteries are located near the fields of battle that claimed the lives of those buried there, Salisbury National Cemetery is located near the mass burial of thousands of Union troops who died while being held as prisoners of war at Salisbury Prison. As many as 11,000 unknown Union Soldiers are believed to be buried there in unmarked mass graves in 18 separate burial trenches. The area of the trenches remains unmarked, however the outline of the trenches is marked by "Unknown Soldier" Markers.

Marker for Unknown U.S. Soldier at Salisbury National Cemetery

In the early 1900's, Maine and Pennsylvania both erected monuments to their dead at Salisbury National Cemetery. A Federal Monument was erected in 1876 to commemorate the unknown dead.

Federal Monument erected in 1876

The inscription on the front panel reads:

"In 18 trenches, just south of this spot, rest the bodies of 11,700 soldiers of the United States Army, who perished during the years 1864 and 1865 while held by the Confederate Military Authorities as prisoners of war in a stockade near this place."

Inscription on the Federal Monument

Although the majority of my ancestors who served in the American Civil War were Confederate Soldiers, I have found 46 members of my family who served in the Union Army. Five of these men made the ultimate sacrifice for the Union.

Below are the known Union casualties my family incurred during the American Civil War:

1) Private Pinkey Quinn Collins (3rd cousin, 5x removed) Company A, Missouri 75th Infantry Regiment. Died ten days after a gunshot wound received at the Battle of Crooked Creek, Missouri, August 15, 1862. 43 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Pinkney Quinn Collins

2) Private David Thomas Bressie (1st cousin 6x removed) Company D, Missouri 32nd Infantry Regiment. Died from disease at Young's Point, Louisiana, January 23, 1863. 41 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of David Thomas Bressie

3) Sergeant Samuel I. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company B, Indiana 16th Infantry Regiment. Killed during the Battle of Vicksburg, May 24, 1863. 34 years old at the time of his death.

4) Private Andrew J. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company B, Indiana 16th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 4, 1864. 20 years old at the time of his death. Brother of Samuel I. Sneed.

5) Sergeant David John Stovall (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company I, Louisiana 2nd Union Cavalry Regiment. Died from disease at General Hospital, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September 4, 1864. 37 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of David John Stovall

**An interesting side note, my 5th Great Grandfather, Allen Noblin was a Private in Byrne's First Virginia Regiment during the War of 1812. Allen was killed in action in Petersburg, Virginia on October 25, 1814. He was 34 years old at time of his death.

Company B, North Carolina 71st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Junior Reserves: Captain William Hamilton Overman, my 5th cousin 5x removed

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Captain William Hamilton Overman

During the final days of the American Civil War, as the number of Confederate troops dwindled, the only resource available to the South was to extend the age of military conscription. The Confederacy already accepted all able bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45. On February 17, 1864, the Confederate Congress passed a law placing in the “Reserves” those men between the ages of 17 and 18 and between 45 and 50. Originally these men were not to serve outside their native State, however this rule was quickly disregarded out of necessity. Known as the "seed corn of the Confederacy", Eight Battalions of Junior Reserves were created in the Summer of 1864.

Seventeen year old William Hamilton Overman was originally commissioned as Captain of Company A, North Carolina Second Battalion of Junior Reserves in May of 1864. This Battalion was composed of three companies and was organized at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh, North Carolina on May 31, 1864. John H. Anderson was elected as Major of the Battalion. Anderson had served as a Private in the famed "Bethel Regiment" and later as First Lieutenant of Company D, North Carolina 48th Infantry Regiment and had resigned on account of wounds.  The North Carolina 2nd Battalion of Junior Reserves was ordered to report to Goldsboro, North Carolina in June of 1864.

On July 16, 1864, the Second and Fifth Battalions of Junior Reserves were combined into "Anderson's Battalion". John H. Anderson was elected as Lieutenant Colonel and W. F. Beasley (of the 5th Battalion) was elected Major.   Anderson's Battalion spent the Fall of 1864 at Weldon, North Carolina. On October 4th, Captain W. S. Flynn's company was added.  The Battalion was ordered to report to Tarboro and then on to Plymouth where the "CSS Albemarle" had just been blown up by Lieutenant W. B. Cushing of the Federal Navy. After a brief march, just as the Battalion was nearly to Plymouth, they were met by the North Carolina 50th Infantry Regiment. The 50th had been forced to evacuate the town by the Federal fleet. Now that the "Albemarle" was out of commission, Federal gunships were able to maneuver freely along the Neuse.  Anderson's Battalion returned to Tarboro and then back to Weldon.

On December 7, 1864, Captain W. R. Williams' Company was added, which converted the Battalion into a full Regiment. John H. Anderson was elected Colonel. W. F. Beasley was elected Lieutenant Colonel and N. A. Gregory was elected Major. The Companies were reorganized and relettered.   The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves, also known as the North Carolina 71st Infantry Regiment, was formed by the consolidation of the Second and Fifth Battalions. Captain William Hamilton Overman commanded Company B, which was comprised of men mainly from Rowan County, North Carolina.

On December 8, 1864, together with six Companies of the North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/NC 1st Junior Reserves, the Regiment was ordered to Belfield, Virginia to meet the advance of Federal General Gouverneur Kemble Warren's Corps. The Junior Battalions faced enemy fire for the first time and followed the enemy for several miles on their retreat. The weather was very cold and the Confederates were poorly clothed and badly fed. Although the men suffered from terrible exposure, only a few were killed or wounded in the fight. For their conduct, the Legislature of North Carolina passed a special vote of thanks to the Junior Reserves.

In January of 1865, the Regiment was joined by Millard's Battalion and sent to Coleraine, a small town in Bertie County nestled along the Chowan River. There, the Confederates were expected to meet the advance of the enemy. The men marched through deplorable conditions to find that the enemy had withdrawn from that location. Following their return, the Regiment was ordered to Goldsboro and then on to Kinston where the Three Regiments of Junior Reserves (70th, 71st and 72nd North Carolina) and Millard's Battalion were placed in a Brigade commanded by Colonel F. S. Armistead, brother of General Lewis Armistead who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. The Brigade was attached to General Robert F. Hoke's Division. Armistead's Junior Brigade camped on the north of the Railroad about one mile west of John C. Washington's farm.

General Robert F. Hoke

On March 6, 1865, Federal troops from New Bern began advancing towards the encamped Confederates. Armistead's Junior Brigade along with the rest of Hoke's Division marched down the South West Creek below Kinston, where the Regiment was on the left of the Confederate Army. On March 8th, the men crossed the creek and formed a line of battle. In handsome style, the young Confederates pushed back the enemy. General Hoke put himself at the head of the troops after dark and moved by the left flank down the road towards the Neuse River with their purpose being to turn the enemy's right flank. Around midnight, Hoke received information that caused him to order the Confederates to retrace their steps and retreat toward their original entrenchment west of the creek.

On March 11th, the news that Sherman's troops were coming up by way of Fayetteville, made it's way to the Confederate Troops stationed in Kinston. The Confederates marched through Goldsboro on their way to Smithfield, where they united with the Army of Tennessee under the command of General Joseph Eggleston Johnston.

General Joseph E. Johnston

On March 17, 1865, the Army of Tennessee took up the movement to engage Sherman's Federals. On the night of March 18th, the Confederates encamped just beyond the town of Bentonville, North Carolina. As the sun began to shine on the morning of Sunday, March 19th, the North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves entered the Battle of Bentonville on the left of Hoke's Division. By mid afternoon, the Confederates led a gallant charge and took two successive lines from the enemy. The overwhelming numbers of the Federals enabled Sherman to out-flank the Confederates on their left during the night and the next morning, the Confederate line of battle, which had faced Southwest on Sunday, was thrown back and now faced nearly due East. The Confederate line was strengthened by a breastworks made of logs and dirt and held against all Federal assaults on the 20th and 21st of March. On the night of March 21st, the Federals again out-flanked the Confederates. The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves quietly withdrew from the field of battle and leisurely fell back to Mitchener's Depot. Sherman's forces chose not to pursue, but moved on to Goldsboro to join the column from New Bern that the Confederates had engaged at South West Creek.

Armistead's Junior Brigade elicited high praise not only from their commander, but also from Generals Hoke and Hardee, who commanded the Division and Corps respectively. General Joseph E. Johnston added praises with his post war writings. The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves incurred 41 casualties during the Battle of Bentonville. For three days with about 14,000 men, at no time with all reinforcements reaching more than 20,000, Johnston's Confederates held Sherman's 70,000 Federals at bay and had fought one of the most remarkable battles of the war.

At Mitchener' s Depot, the Army was reorganized and took a much needed rest. On April 6, 1865, the Confederates had a grand review, the last held in the Confederate armies. The Junior Brigade was the largest in the parade. Governor Vance was present and gave high accolades to the young men.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. On the 10th Of April, the Junior Brigade along with the rest of the Army of Tennessee began their retreat coinciding with Sherman's advance from Goldsboro. On April 12th, the Confederates passed through Raleigh with Hoke's Division acting as rear guard. There, a few of the officers heard of Lee's surrender, but it was not well known the the Army at large. At midnight, the last Confederate pickets passed through the city and early on April 13, 1865, the Federals had taken possession of the Capital of the State of North Carolina.

The Confederates camped about seven miles west of Raleigh on the night of April 12th. The next morning, the Army was divided, part going from Hillsboro to Greensboro, while Hardee's Corps, to which the Junior Reserves belonged, took the route through Chapel Hill through the Alamance Battle Ground (of Revolutionary War fame).

The Junior Brigade halted several days at Red Cross, in Randolph County, to await President Johnson's actions on the Johnston-Sherman treaty made at Bennett Place, Durham, North Carolina on April 14th. Initially this treaty was not approved in Washington, however the definite surrender of April 26th, 1865 had been arranged.

On May 1, 1865, Major General Robert F. Hoke issued the following farewell address to the Division:

"Soldiers of my Division:

On the eve of a long, perhaps final separation, I desire to address to you the last sad words of parting.

The fortunes of was have turned the scales against us. The proud banners which you have waved so gloriously on many a field are to be furled at last; but they are not disgraced. My comrades, your indomitable courage, your heroic fortitude, your patience under suffering have surrounded these with a halo which future years cannot dim. History will bear witness to your valor and succeeding generations will point with admiration to your grand struggle for constitutional freedom. Soldiers, your past is full of glory. Treasure it in your hearts. Remember each gory battle field, each day of victory, each bleeding comrade. Think then of your future.

"Freedom's Battle once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Through baffled oft, is ever won."

You have yielded to overwhelming forces, not to superior valor; you are paroled prisoners, not slaves; the love of liberty which led you in the contest still burns as brightly in your hearts as ever, cherish it, nourish it, associate it with the history of the past. Transmit to your children, teach them the rights of freeman and teach them to maintain them; teach them that the proudest day in all your proud career was that on which you enlisted as a Southern soldier, entering that holy brotherhood whose ties are now sealed in the blood of your compatriots, who have fallen and whose history is covered with the brilliant records of the past four years.

Soldiers amid the imperishable laurels that surmount your brows, no brighter leaf adorns you than your late connection with the Army of Northern Virginia. The star that shone with the splendor over its oft repeated field of victory, over the two deadly struggles at Manassas Plains, Richmond, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg has sent its rays and been reflected wherever true courage is admired and wherever freedom has a friend. That star has set in blood, but yet in glory. That army is now of the past. Its banners trail, but not with ignominy; no stain blots its escutcheon, no blood can tinge your face as you proudly announce that you have a part in the past history of the Army of Northern Virginia.

My comrades, we have borne together the same hardships, we have braved the same dangers, we have rejoiced over the same victory; your trials and your patience have excited sympathy and admiration and I have borne willing witness to your bravery. It is with a heart full of grateful emotion for your service and ready obedience that I take leave of you.

May the future of every one of you be as happy as your past career has been brilliant and no cloud ever dim the brightness of your fame. The past looms before me in its illuminating grandeur. Its memories are a part of the past life of each of you; but it is all over now. The sad, dark veil of defeat is between us and a life time of sorrow is our only heritage.

You carry to your home the heartfelt wishes of your General for your prosperity.

My command, farewell!

R. F. Hoke
Major General

Headquarters Hoke's Division, near Greensboro, N.C.

On May 2, 1865, the Confederates fell in ranks for the last time. Parole was given to each man and the men began making their separate ways back to their homes. Each man began to make the transition from soldier back into citizen.

My 2nd cousin 5x removed, William Hamilton Overman was Captain of Company B, North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves.

William Hamilton Overman was born in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on October 19, 1846. He is my 5th cousin 5x removed. William was a student prior to the war. He was commissioned as Captain of Company B, North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves on May 23, 1864 at the age of 17.

1st Muster for William

William was listed as being present and accounted for through April of 1864. He was paroled on April 26, 1865 in accordance with General Joseph E. Johnston's surrender to General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, Durham, North Carolina.

Muster Roll showing William's Parole

William lived an additional 36 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on July 16, 1901 at the age of 54. He is buried in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina.

Grave of William Hamilton Overman

The inscription on the back panel of William's grave reads: "In war he was a brave and gallant Confederate Soldier, Captain at the age of seventeen. In peace he discharge every duty with fidelity. A true friend and affectionate brother; a devoted son, a loving and tender husband. "The memory of the just is blessed.""

Close-up of back panel

An interesting side note, William's younger brother Lee Slater Overman was the first United States Senator from North Carolina to be elected by popular vote. The passage of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution in 1913 standardized the popular vote election of Senators. Previously Senators were were appointed by the State Legislature, as was the case with Lee in 1902 and 1909. Lee was born in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on January 3, 1854. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed.

Senator Lee Slater Overman

Lee served in the United States Senate for 27 years until his death in 1930. He wrote and sponsored the Overman Act of 1918 also known as the Departmental Reorganization Act, which gave President Woodrow Wilson extraordinary powers to coordinate Government Agencies during wartime. He also chaired the Overman Committee, a subcommittee that investigated foreign propaganda in the United States during the first Red Scare from 1919 - 1921.

Lee Slater Overman seated in the center while chairman of the Overman Committee

Lee Slater Overman died in Washington D. C. on December 12, 1930 at the age of 76. His funeral was held in the Chamber of the United States Senate. Lee is buried in Chestnut Hills Cemetery in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina.

Lee Slater Overman Family Plot

Close-up of the Grave of Lee Slater Overman

Since William and Lee were brothers, I'm only listing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to William:

William Hamilton Overman 1846-1901
5th cousin 5x removed

William H Overman 1812-1890
Father of William Hamilton Overman

John Overman 1780-1827
Father of William H Overman

Charles Overman 1745-1806
Father of John Overman

Charles Overman 1710-1806
Father of Charles Overman

Jacob Overman 1678-1715
Father of Charles Overman

Jacob Overman 1652-1715
Father of Jacob Overman

Charles Overman 1686-1755
Son of Jacob Overman

Elizabeth Overman 1723-
Daughter of Charles Overman

Winfred Armour 1744-1807
Daughter of Elizabeth Overman

Reuben Keaton 1768-1807
Son of Winfred Armour

Elizabeth George Keaton 1799-1825
Daughter of Reuben Keaton

Stephen B. Pendleton 1804-1863
Son of Elizabeth George Keaton

Martha T. Pendleton 1854-1912
Daughter of Stephen B. Pendleton

Elsie M. Jackson Stokes 1878-1956
Daughter of Martha T. Pendleton

Selby Edward Stokes Sr. 1910-1997
Son of Elsie M. Jackson Stokes

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Selby Edward Stokes Sr.

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

North Carolina's Confederate Memorial Day - May 10th

2013-05-10T09:04:00.001-04:00

Members of the 6th North Carolina Re-enactors

North Carolina's Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on the 10th of May each year. Each State in the Confederacy celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on different dates. North Carolina chose May 10th to coincide with the death of Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson on May 10, 1863 and the capture of Confederate President, Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865. The State of Texas has both a Confederate Heroes Day (Jan. 19) and a Confederate Memorial Day (Apr. 28). Pennsylvania, Maryland and Kentucky all have Confederate Memorial Days even though those states were not in the Confederacy.

Confederate Memorial Day is a State holiday in most Southern States. It gives people a chance to honor and remember the Confederate Soldiers who died during the American Civil War. The first evidence of its celebration was on April 26, 1866 when tens of thousands of Southern women gathered in their respective towns to commemorate their war dead. The specific date of April 26th was the idea of Mrs. Elizabeth Rutherford Ellis, wife of Captain Roswell Ellis, who had served in the "Columbus Guards". Mrs. Ellis got the idea for a Confederate Memorial Day after she and other women from the Soldier's Aid Society began tending to the graves of Confederate Soldiers who died during the Battle of Columbus, Georgia. That battle was one of the last battles in the Civil War and took place a week after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox. In early 1866, Mrs. Ellis told a friend about a book she had read that mentioned the custom of caring for the graves of dead heroes. She suggested that a special day be set aside to decorate the graves of Confederate Soldiers in order for them to always be remembered. Her suggestion was well received by the Soldier's Aid Society and they changed their group to the Ladies Memorial Association. April 26th was chosen to coincide with General Johnston's surrender to General Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina, which occured on April 26, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War for many in the South.

Other States in the South began to catch on and celebrate the new holiday. Some States chose dates after April 26th so that their flowers would have more time to bloom. In 1868, General John A. Logan, commander of the Union Civil War Veterans Fraternity, the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) launched the Memorial Day holiday that currently observed in the entire United States. Logan emulated the practices of the Confederate Memorial Day holiday stating, "it was not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South in perpetuating the memory of their friends who had died for the cause they thought just and right." Many are unaware that the celebration of Confederate Memorial Day actually precedes the celebration of Memorial Day.

Re-enactor carrying the Second National Flag

In modern times, the celebration of Confederate Memorial Day includes placing flags and wreathes on the graves of Confederate Soldiers, dressing in Confederate uniforms, holding services at churches and cemeteries, Re-enactments, etc.

Me speaking at the 2013 Confederate Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery

I recently had the honor of speaking about one of my ancestors, Ransom Green Nowell, who died during the Civil War. On May 4, 2013, my chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held a Confederate Memorial Day Celebration at Raleigh's Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Among the over 1,400 Confederate Soldiers buried in Oakwood, lay three of my own ancestors. Their names were Jonathan Charles Hill, Ransom Green Nowell and Elvis Green Adcock.

Graves of Confederate Soldiers Decorated with Confederate Battle Flags

Their middle name is not all that Ransom and Elvis had in common. Both men were born in 1842 and both had volunteered their services for the Confederacy in May of 1861. Both men saw action in the Peninsula Campaign and Seven Days Battles as well as Gettysburg. Jonathan Charles Hill was born in 1832 and died of disease at a Confederate Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 14, 1863.

Grave of Jonathan Charles Hill

Ransom Green Nowell was killed on the first day of fighting at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Elvis Green Adcock had been wounded at Gaines' Mills and Chancellorsville before fighting at Gettysburg. He was spared at Gettysburg, but later lost his life from wounds received at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 19, 1864. He died in a Federal hospital from those wounds on May 30, 1864.

Another similarity for both Ransom and Elvis is that both their graves were relocated to Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh after the Civil War. Ransom was originally buried in the "Federal" Cemetery in Raleigh, off of Rock Quarry Road. Elvis was originally buried in the small Confederate Section at Arlington National Cemetery. It is not known whether Jonathan was originally buried in Oakwood at the time of his death or whether he was relocated at a later date.

6th North Carolina Color Guard at Oakwood Cemetery

Oakwood Cemetery was established in 1869 as a final resting place for Raleigh's Confederate dead. This was due to a threat from the Federals who occupied Raleigh following the Civil War. Originally the Cemetery off of Rock Quarry Road, held the remains of both Union and Confederate Soldiers. A decision was made to make that cemetery a "National" cemetery, meaning there was no room there for the Confederate dead. Notices were posted in the local newspapers that the Confederates buried there were to be dis-intered and removed from the new "National" cemetery. It is said that the occupying Federals threatened to leave the bodies of the Confederates in the road if they went unclaimed.

The citizens of Raleigh were enraged. Henry Mordecai came forward and donated two and a half acres for a Confederate Cemetery. The bodies of the Confederate dead were dis-interred from the "National" cemetery and re-interred at Oakwood. Ransom Green Nowell was one of these Confederates.

UDC Member laying a rose on Ransom Green Nowell's grave

In 1883, the Ladies Memorial Association had the remains of over 100 Confederates dis-interred and brought back to the South. The remains of 107 Confederates originally buried at Arlington, were placed in 4 wooden coffins and re-interred at Oakwood Cemetery. Elvis Green Adcock was one of those 107 men.

Memorial Marker at Oakwood showing the 107 men who were relocated in 1883

I am honored to have three relatives buried in the Confederate Section at Oakwood. Sadly, these two men represent only a small fraction of the men in my family that lost their life during the Civil War. To date, I have found 82 men from my family that made the ultimate sacrifice for the Confederacy. These 82 men ranged from Privates to Generals. Some died from disease, others from wounds received in battle. One even took his own life. Many of these brave men lay in unmarked graves in cemeteries or battlefields.

Below are the known Confederate casualties my family incurred during the Civil War in chronological order:

1) Private George Trippe Stovall (4th cousin 5x removed) Company A, Georgia 8th Infantry Regiment. Killed during the Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861. 21 years old at the time of his death.

2) Private John S. Skinner (1st cousin 4x removed) Company I, North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment. Died in defense of Fort Hatteras, August 1861. 24 years old at the time of his death.

3) Private Simeon Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Georgia 20th Infantry Regiment. Died in a Richmond, Virginia Hospital from disease, September 2, 1861. 26 years old at the time of his death.

4) Private Rufus T. Moss (1st cousin 4x removed) Company E, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Died at Camp Ellis, Fairfax, Virginia from disease, September 14, 1861. 22 years old at the time of his death.

5) Private Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (2nd Great Grand Uncle) Company E, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Died at home in Granville County of disease, November 24, 1861. 21 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

6) Brigadier General Philip St. George Cocke (6th cousin 6x removed) Virginia 5th Brigade. Died at home from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, December 26, 1861. 52 years old at the time of his death.

Brigadier General Philip St. George Cocke

7) Sergeant James Wilson Fowler (5th cousin 3x removed) Company E, South Carolina Hampton's Legion. Died at Camp Wigfall, Virginia of typhoid pneumonia, December 28, 1861. 16 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of James Wilson Fowler

8) Corporal James H. Crews (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company F, Tennessee 3rd Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862. 27 years old at the time of his death.

9) Private William James Crews (2nd cousin 5x removed) Captain Barry's Company, Tennessee Light Artillery. Killed in action during the Battle of Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862. 20 years old at the time of his death.

10) Sergeant Robert A. Fowler (5th cousin 3x removed) Company E, South Carolina Hampton's Legion. Killed in the Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia, March 31, 1862. 21 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Robert A. Fowler

11) Private Rufus Harrison Farrar (1st cousin 5x removed) Company D/F, Robison's Tennessee 2nd Infantry (Walker's Legion). Killed in action during the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. 36 years old at the time of his death.

12) Private William Currin (1st cousin 5x removed) Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia from wounds received in battle, June 3, 1862. 34 years old at the time of his death.

Private William Currin

13) Private Thornberry A. Green (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company B, Georgia 12th Infantry Regiment. Died from disease in camp at Brome Gap, Virginia. 41 years old at the time of his death.

14) Private Lemuel P. Hagood (1st cousin 5x removed) Company C, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Died from disease at Ridgeway, Warren County, North Carolina, June 24, 1862. 37 years old at the time of his death.

15) Private James Adcock (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company C, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia from disease, June 26, 1862. 18 years old at the time of his death.

16) 1st Sergeant James A. Vaden (2nd Great Grand Uncle) Weisiger's Virginia 6th Infantry "Manchester Light Artillery". Died at University Hospital, Charlottesville, Virginia from wounds sustained at the Battle of Cross Keyes, June 30, 1862. 26 years old at the time of his death.

17) Private Fleming Beasley (2nd cousin 6x removed) Company D, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. 20 years old at the time of his death.

18) Private Tyree S. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company A, Virginia 53rd Infantry Regiment. Died in Chimbarazo Hospital, Richmond, Virginia from disease. July 3, 1862. 32 years old at the time of his death.

19) Private Augustus Speed Paschall (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company K, Mississippi 17th Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, July 10, 1862. 28 years old at the time of his death.

20) Private William Thaddeus Usry (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company D, Alabama 10th Infantry Regiment. Died in Richmond Hospital, July 31, 1861, from wounds recieved in the Battle of Gaines' Mills. 34 years old at the time of his death.

William T. Usry lies in an unmarked grave in this row in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery

21) Josiah Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Guerrilla Fighter in Quantrill's raids. Died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Lone Jack, Missouri, August 16, 1862. 18 years old at the time of his death.

22) 1st Lieutenant Samuel Lawrence Paschall (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company F, Mississippi 42nd Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond from disease, Virginia, August 18, 1862. He was 23 years old at the time of his death.

1st Lieutenant Samuel Lawrence Paschall lies in an unmarked grave on this hill

23) Private Bailey Peyton Vaden (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company F, Arkansas 37th Infantry Regiment. Died of disease while on furlough on his way home to Clark County, Arkansas, August 28, 1862. 24 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Bailey Peyton Vaden

24) Private Albert W. Usry (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company D, Alabama 10th Infantry Regiment. Died from wounds received at the 2nd Battle of Manassas, September 9, 1862. 20 years old at the time of his death.

25) Private Francis M. Robertson (1st cousin 4x removed) Compagy G, Alabama 10th Infantry. Killed in the Battle of Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862. 20 years old at the time of his death.

26) Private Forrester Stainback (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company H, North Carolina 6th Infantry Regiment. Died from disease at Camp Caswell, Caswell County, North Carolina, September 18, 1862. 20 years old at the time of his death.

27) Private Lewis L. Daniel (1st cousin 5x removed) Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia from disease, September 23, 1862. He was 24 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Lewis L. Daniel

28) Private Pomfret Blackwell Frazier (1st cousin 5x removed) Company G, North Carolina 30th Infantry Regiment. Died from disease at Staunton, Virginia, November 14, 1862. 18 years old at the time of his death.

29) Cullen Nowell (2nd cousin 6x removed) Guerrilla Fighter in General Morgan's raid. Died in Johnson's Island Prison Camp, Sandusky, Ohio, November 21, 1862. He was 59 years old at the time of his death.

Marker for Cullen Nowell

30) Private Francis Marion Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Georgia 46th Infantry. Died in South Carolina from wounds sustained in battle, October 25, 1862. He was 24 years old at the time of his death.

31) Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb (4th cousin 7x removed) 2nd Brigade, McLaw's Division. Died from wound sustained during the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. 39 years old at the time of his death.

Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

32) Private Robert B. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company A, Virginia 53rd Infantry Regiment. Died at Chimbarazo Hospital in Richmond, Virginia from disease, December 21, 1862. 21 years old at the time of his death.

33) Private John Augustus Usry (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company D, Alabama 10th Infantry Regiment. Killed in a skirmish near Farmville, Cumberland County, Virginia, December 21, 1862. 33 years old at the time of his death.

John Augustus Usry

34) Sergeant Thomas Jefferson Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company H, Alabama 47th Infantry Regiment. Died at Camp Winder, Richmond, Virginia from typhoid fever, December 23, 1862. 29 years old at the time of his death.

35) Private Virgil Milton Paschall, Jr. (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Georgia 9th Infantry. Killed in the Battle of Stones River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. 24 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Virgil Milton Paschall

36) Private John Satterwhite Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company D, Alabama 13th Infantry Regiment. Died in Richmond, Virginia in 1863. 19 years old at the time of his death.

37) Private Samuel James Noblin (1st cousin 5x removed) Company E, Arkansas 38th Infantry Regiment. Died in Randolph County, Arkansas from disease in 1863. 26 years old at the time of his death.

38) Private Rev. Reuben F. Nowell (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion. Died in White Plains, Arkansas from wounds received in battle, 1863. 28 years old at the time of his death.

39) Private George A. Blankenship (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company B, North Carolina 29th Infantry Regiment. Died from wounds received in the Battle of Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, January 2, 1863. 20 years old at the time of his death.

40) Private Sylvester Sneed (2nd cousin 6x removed) Company E, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. Died in Confederate Hospital, Goldsboro, North Carolina, January 18, 1863, from unknown causes. 23 years old at the time of his death.

Close-up of Sylvester's Name on Goldsboro Confederate Monument

Goldboro Confederate Monument

41) Private Miles M. Sneed (1st cousin 6x removed) Company G, North Carolina 39th Infantry Regiment. Killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee in a Railroad accident, January 24, 1863. 34 years old at the time of his death.

42) Private Pumphrey W. Adcock (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company E, North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Lynchburg, Virgina from disease, February 6, 1863. 20 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Pumphrey W. Adcock

43) Corporal William H. H. Paschall (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company B, Arkansas 1st Cavalry. Died in Arkansas City, Arkansas from wounds sustained in battle, February 16, 1863. 21 years old at the time of his death.

44) Sergeant Major Henry Lucas Stovall (5th cousin 4x removed) Company H, Georgia 3rd Infantry Battalion. Died in Rome, Georgia from typhoid fever, March 31, 1863. 19 years old at the time of his death.

45) Private Stephen Spencer West (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Killed during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863. 29 years old at the time of his death.

Private Stephen Spencer West

46) Private Alexander Hill (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company D, North Carolina 43rd Infantry Regiment. Died in the Confederate Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia from disease, June 21, 1863. 27 years old at the time of his death.

47) Private John Thomas McCurry (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company B, Georgia 60th Infantry Regiment. Died at General Hospital, Camp Winder, Richmond, Virginia from pneumonia, June 20, 1863. 31 years old at the time of his death.

48) Private Ransom Green Nowell (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company K, North Carolina 14th Infantry Regiment. Killed in Action during the first day of fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. 21 years old at the time of his death.

My Father and I standing behind the grave of Ransom Green Nowell

49) Sergeant Winborn C. Davis (1st cousin 5x removed) Company F, North Carolina 1st Infantry Regiment. Died in a Federal Hospital from wounds sustained at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 23 years old at the time of his death.

The small maker with the # 1 marks the final resting place of Sergeant Winborn Davis

50) Private Thomas H. Currin (1st cousin 5x removed) Company K, North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 25 years old at the time of his death.

51) Private Vaden Adams (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company B, Virginia 13th Light Artillery Battalion. Died in the Confederate General Hospital in Emory, Virginia from disease, July 4, 1863. 25 years old at the time of his death.

52) Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew (2nd cousin 5x removed) Pettigrew's Brigade, Heth's Division. Died at Bunker Hill, West Virginia from wounds received at Falling Waters, West Virginia, July 17, 1863. 35 years old at the time of his death.

Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew

53) Private Jonathan Charles Hill (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company D, North Carolina 43rd Infantry Regiment. Died in the Confederate General Hospital in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina from disease, August 14, 1863. 31 years old at the time of his death.

Jonathan Charles Hill

54) Private Addison W. Nowell (4th cousin, 4x removed) Company G, Georgia 42nd Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 16, 1863. 20 years old at the time of his death.

55) Private Phillip L. Crews (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Tennessee 3rd Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863. 29 years old at the time of his death.

56) Private William Lunsford Wheeler (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment. Died in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia from wounds sustained in the Bristoe Campaign, November 3, 1863. 21 years old at the time of his death.

57) Surgeon Joseph Barnett Stovall (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company S, CSA Medical Staff Infantry Regiment. Died at home in Granville County, North Carolina while on sick furlough, December 18, 1863. 26 years old at the time of his death.

58) Private Wiley Eden Dyer (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company F, Butler's South Carolina 1st Infantry Regulars. Died in a hospital in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina from wounds sustained in defense of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, December 28, 1863.

59) Private William H. Overman (4th cousin 6x removed) Company A, North Carolina 8th Infantry Regiment. Died in General Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia from typhoid fever, January 5, 1864. 24 years old at the time of his death.

60) Captain John King Cocke (2nd cousin 6x removed) Company D, Ochiltree's Texas 18th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Mansfield, Louisiana, April 9, 1864. 33 years old at the time of his death.

61) Private John T. Stovall (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company K, North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, May 14, 1864. 19 years old at the time of his death.

62) Private Fleming B. Currin (4th Great Grand Uncle) Company B, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 22, 1864. 40 years old at the time of his death.

63) Private Arthur F. Nowell (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company E, Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment. Died in Stanton U.S. General Hospital In Washington DC from complications from arm amputation following the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, May 28, 1864. 28 years old at the time of his death.

64) Private Elvis Green Adcock (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company C, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Died in Stanton U.S. General Hospital In Washington DC from wounds sustained in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, May 30, 1864. 22 years old at the time of his death.

Memorial at Oakwood for the 107 men who were relocated in 1883

65) 2nd Lieutenant Elias Sanders Dyer (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company C, Georgia 16th Infantry Regiment. Died at Camp Winder, Richmond, Virginia from wounds sustained at the Battle of the Wilderness, June 6, 1864. 34 years old at the time of his death.

2nd Lieutenant Elias Sanders Dyer

66) Corporal Raiford Holmes (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Mississippi 33rd Infantry Regiment. Died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 20, 1864. 24 years old at the time of his death.

67) Private Elisha B. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company K, Virginia 18th Infantry Regiment. Died at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, Virginia from disease, June 24, 1864. 20 years old at the time of his death.

68) Private Ransom Harris Duke (1st cousin 5x removed) Company B, North Carolina 4th Infantry Regiment. Caputed May 12, 1864 at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Died at Point Lookout Prison, MD on August 4, 1864. 44 years old at the time of his death.

Point Lookout Prison circa 1863

69) Private William Henry Nowell (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company H, North Carolina 31st Infantry Regiment. Died in Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, New York from bronchitis, August 29, 1864. 46 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of William Henry Nowell

70) Private William Arnold Nowell (3rd cousin 4x removed) Company L, Georgia 3rd Infantry Regiment. Died from wounds sustained in the defense of the Macon Armory, October 3, 1864. 46 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of William Arnold Nowell

71) Private Loton P. Meadows (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company D, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Died on the way home from Fort Delaware after being an exchanged prisoner of war. Sometime after his November 1, 1864 exchange. 22 years old at the time of his death.

72) Private Leroy Sanford Daniel (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company H, Alabama 47th Infantry Regiment. Died at home in Chambers, Alabama from rubella, November 4, 1864. 19 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Leroy Sanford Daniel

73) Private Clarence Ruffin Broadwell (husband of 3rd cousin 5x removed) Company K, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. Died in Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, New York, November 10, 1864. 41 years old a the time of his death.

74) Private Elam Arrington Harris (5th cousin, 4x removed) Company A, North Carolina 7th Infantry Regiment. Died in Richmond Hospital presumably from disease, sometime after December 11, 1864. 19 years old at the time of his death.

75) Corporal Thomas Pinkney Paschall (1st cousin 6x removed) Company C, Alabama 53rd Partisan Rangers. Died at Camp Chase Prison Camp, Columbus, Ohio, January 26, 1865. 32 years old at the time of his death.

76) Private Wyatt Currin (1st cousin 6x removed) Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment. Died at Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, New York from variola, February 13, 1865. 36 years old at the time of his death.

77) Captain Alfred Brown Bryant (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company B, South Carolina Holcombe's Legion. Killed in Battle near Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 37 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of Narcissa Lipscomb Bryant, wife of Captain Alfred Brown Bryant, notating his burial

78) Private Drewry T. Davis (1st cousin 5x removed) Company F, North Carolina 1st Infantry Regiment. Died at Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, New York from disease, March 27, 1865. 29 years old at the time of his death.

79) Private Thomas Jefferson Wheeler (2nd cousin 4x removed) Company I, North Carolina 63rd Regiment/5th North Carolina Cavalry. Died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865. 32 years old at the time of his death.

80) Sergeant Robert D. Stovall (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company E, Mississippi 16th Infantry Regiment. Died from wounds received in the Siege of Petersburg, April 3, 1865. 27 years old at the time of his death.

81) Private James Henderson Nowell (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company F, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. Died in Hart's Island Prison Camp, Hart's Island, New York, May 21, 1865. 43 years old at the time of his death.

Grave of James Henderson Nowell

82) Private Hugh Shaw (3rd cousin 5x removed) Company E, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. Died of unknown causes as a POW at Hart's Island Prison Camp, Hart's Island, New York, June 10, 1865. 42 years old at the time of his death.

Company C, North Carolina 61st Infantry: Private John R. "Jack" Wheeler, my 1st cousin 4x removed

2013-05-05T15:30:00.001-04:00

Battle Flag of the Beaufort Plow Boys, Company B, North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment

The North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment was organized in Wilmington, North Carolina in August of 1862. Its men were recruited from the Counties of Sampson, New Hanover, Beaufort, Craven, Chatham, Wake, Lenoir, Wilson, Martin, Alleghany, Ashe and Jones. James D. Radcliffe of New Hanover County was elected Colonel of the Regiment.

Colonel James D. Radcliffe

Edward Mallett was elected as the first Captain of Company C. After its organization, the unit was assigned to Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman's Brigade. The other Units in Clingman's Brigade included the 8th, 31st and 51st North Carolina Infantry Regiments. Thomas Lanier Clingman is my 4th cousin 6x removed.

Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman

Clingman's Brigade was initially stationed at Camp Lamb, near Wilmington. The North Carolina 61st remained in the Wilmington area until early November when they made their way to Plymouth, North Carolina. From Plymouth, the Regiment marched 39 miles to Spring Creek, where they arrived just before dawn on November 3rd. The men endured a deep snow on November 6th, however they continued their march towards the Tarboro Railroad Terminal. As many as 100 men in the regiment were without shoes. Several of those men were cautioned not to make the barefoot march in the snow. Ten men from the Regiment died from Pneumonia following their barefoot march.

The Regiment left the Tarboro Railroad Terminal on November 10th and bivouacked at Greenville, North Carolina on November13th. The men remained in Greenville until December 7, 1862, when they began to march towards Kinston, North Carolina, where they arrived on December 9th. On the 12th of December, the Regiment crossed the Neuse River near Southwest creek, where they destroyed the bridge after crossing. The North Carolina 61st was then posted on the west side of the creek to check or delay the advance of Union Major General John G. Foster. Foster's troops included 10,000 Infantry, Six Batteries with 40 pieces of Artillery, and 640 Cavalry. My 3rd cousin 5x removed, Brigadier General Nathan George "Shanks" Evans was in command of the Confederate force, which numbered roughly 2,000.

Brigadier General Nathan George "Shanks" Evans

Foster's Federals reached the Southwest creek on the morning of December 13th. A small force from the North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment skirmished with the enemy near the bridge crossing, but was beaten back with heavy casualties.   The remained of the North Carolina 61st entered the field of battle near Hines' Mills and marched double quick towards the action. The musket fire from the enemy seemed "rapid and terrific" to the soldiers. For some time the 61st held its ground, but were forced to fall back due to the enemy advancing in overwhelming numbers. The Regiment retreated towards Kinston and halted to form a line of battle. A company of skirmishers moved forward to re-engage the Federals.   The men marched about a hundred yards to find that the woods were full of blue coats and the Federals were beginning to flank the Confederates on their left.

General Evans gave the order to "retreat under fire in good order". The Confederates fired and fell back to a position near the Kinston side of the river, taking advantage of the woods in front of them.  From this position Confederate and Federal Artillery Batteries began clashing. The Artillery duel lasted about an hour, all the while the Confederates were under heavy fire from Federal small arms and were unable to return the fire due to the inferiority of their guns. All the Confederates could do was lay low and wait.

Around 8:00 pm, as darkness fell, the North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment withdrew from the field and marched through the swamp to Harriet's Chapel. As the temperature dropped, it was deemed unsafe to build a fire due to the close proximity of the enemy.   By midnight, it was safe enough to build a fire. The men gathered around the fire for warmth and discussed their first engagement with the enemy.   On the morning of December 14, the Confederates received a wholesome supply of rations and began their way back to the battlefield in Kinston.

General Evans, with his South Carolina Brigade on the left and the North Carolina 61st on his right, eagerly awaited the Federal attack from General Foster. Foster obliged, sending in three Brigades, supported by Artillery.  With the odds overwhelmingly against them, the Confederates resisted for the better part of three hours, before being forced back across the Neuse. The Federals were unrelenting, and pressed so close to the Confederate retreat that they were able to capture about 400 prisoners, all of which were paroled the following morning.

During the fighting, the North Carolina 61st was compelled to fall back on account of their ammunition being completely exhausted.   A small supply of ammunition soon arrived but was again exhausted in little time. With their being no hope of a second resupply, the men of the 61st began an orderly retreat from the immediate action. When the Regiment reached the bridge, it was engulfed in flames. As the men began to rush over the burning bridge, Federal infantry men positioned 250 yards below, began to fire musket volleys into the fleeing Confederates. The Regiment took on several casualties before making to safety.

Picture taken in 1887 of the Goldsboro Battlefield

Following the Battle of Kinston, the North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment, under the command of General Evans, marched to Goldsboro, where they arrived on December 17th. From Goldsboro the Confederates marched down the Railroad track all the way to Wilmington, where they arrived on January 2, 1863. There they remained until February 6, when they arrived at Masonboro Sound. The Regiment was then ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, arriving there on February 18, 1863.

Private John R. "Jack" Wheeler was discharged by Surgeon Certificate on April 1, 1863 in Columbia, South Carolina. On October 25, 1864, Jack re-enlisted in the Confederate Army, this time in Company H, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. He served in that Regiment through the end of the war.

John R. "Jack" Wheeler was born in Wake County, North Carolina in July of 1837. He is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Prior to the war, Jack was a laborer by trade. Jack enlisted as a Private in Company C, North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment on August 27, 1862 at the age of 24.

1st Muster Roll for Jack in the NC 61st

Jack was listed as "present sick" for the January - February 1863 period.

Muster Roll showing Jack was "present sick"

On April 1, 1863, Jack received a disability discharge in Columbia, South Carolina.

Muster Roll showing Jack's Discharge

Following his discharge, Jack returned home to Wake County, North Carolina where he recovered from his illness. A year and a half later, Jack enlisted in Company H, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment, where he served until the end of the war. Jack lived at least an additional 45 years following the end of the Civil War. The last record of Jack is the 1910 Federal Census where he is shown as a widower living in New Light, Wake County. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to Jack:

John R. "Jack" Wheeler (1837 - 1910)

is your 1st cousin 4x removed

Burwell Wheeler (1796 - 1885)

father of John R. "Jack" Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

father of Burwell Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

The "Brent Rifles" a/k/a Company K, Mississippi 38th Infantry: Sergeant William F. Stovall, my 2nd cousin 5x removed

2013-04-25T19:57:00.000-04:00

General Earl Van Dorn's "Army of Tennessee" Flag

The Mississippi 38th Infantry Regiment was organized in Jackson, Mississippi in May of 1862. Its men were recruited from the Counties of Holmes, Tishomingo, Alcorn, Wilkinson, Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Marion. Company K was also known as the "Brent Rifles" and was raised in Pike County, Mississippi. Fleming W. Adams was elected as Colonel of the Mississippi 38th. Shortly after its organization, the Unit was ordered to join General P.G.T. Beauregard's Army of the Mississippi at Corinth, Mississippi. On May 29th, Beauregard ordered the Army of Mississippi to pull back to Tupelo. Disease began to run rampant in the Mississippi 38th, so much that they were ordered to Columbus, Mississippi on July 1, 1862 to gather new recruits. By August, the Regiment was back up to full strength, containing approximately 963 men. The Unit was attached to Colonel John D. Martin's Brigade of Brigadier General Lewis Henry Little's Division in Major General Sterling Price's Army of the West.

Brigadier General Lewis Henry Little

In September of 1862, Colonel Martin's Brigade consisted of the 36th, 37th & 38th Mississippi, and the 37th Alabama Infantry Regiments. On September 19th, the Brigade took part in the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi. General Little ordered Colonel Martin to advance the 37th and 38th Mississippi Infantry Regiments on the right, directly behind General Louis Hébert's command. Due to their proximity behind Hébert's troops, the 37th and 38th were ordered not to return fire. The Regiments were tasked with taking a Union Artillery Battery in their front. Sometime during the battle, Colonel Fleming Adams was wounded. Due to his injury, Adams was deemed "unfit for duty". His first battle in the Civil War was also his last. In his only post battle report, Colonel Adams said: "My command never fired a shot, because I had been so ordered, but it was under a very heavy fire, and acted, with but few exceptions, with coolness and courage."

Following Colonel Adams injury, Lieutenant Colonel Preston Brent assumed command of the Regiment. In his after battle report dated September 23, 1862, Lieutenant Brent stated: "The regiment advanced gallantly to the charge until it reached the top of a hill in full view of the enemy's battery, when it was halted and ordered to lie down." Although the Regiments never fired, they were under heavy fire the entire time they were engaged. Following the Battle of Iuka, Lieutenant Colonel Brent reported a loss of 4 killed, 1 mortally wounded, and 2 wounded, including Colonel Adams. Little's Division suffered greater casualties during the Battle of Iuka. At approximately 5:45 pm, while sitting on his horse behind the front line, Brigadier General Lewis Henry Little was struck in the head by a bullet and was killed instantly.

Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 4, 1862. Hand-colored lithograph by Currier and Ives, 1862.

Following the Battle of Iuka, General Sterling Price's 17,000 troops linked up with General Earl Van Dorn's 10,000 troops and moved in the direction of Cornith. Mississippi, where a large Federal force under the command of General William S. Rosecrans lay waiting. The Confederates were tasked with disrupting Federal communications and supplies. On October 3, 1862, the combined Confederate force under the leadership of the more senior officer, Earl Van Dorn, attacked the Federal position at Corinth.

Major General Earl Van Dorn

On the first day of fighting, the Confederates succeeded in driving the Federal army from the rifle pits they were occupying. The Confederates exploited a gap in the Union line and pressed the Federals to fall back to their inner fortifications. Colonel Martin's Brigade charged the outer works of the Federal line at an angle where they were exposed to an enfilading fire from musket and cannon. Several members of the Brigade were killed in the charge, including Colonel Martin.

On the second day of fighting, the combined Confederate force continued to press the Federals back, storming Federal Batteries Powell and Robinett. As fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued, Confederates briefly incurred into the town of Corinth before being repulsed. After Federal counter charge helped recapture Battery Powell, General Van Dorn ordered the Confederates to retreat. Van Dorn's army was spared due to Rosecrans decision not to immediately pursue. The Mississippi 38th Infantry Regiment suffered 4 killed and 4 wounded in the Battle of Corinth.

Brigadier General Louis Hébert

Following the Battle of Corinth, the Mississippi 38th was sent to Snyder's Bluff on the Yazoo River, just north of Vicksburg. Mississippi where they were they were placed under the command of Brigadier General Louis Hébert in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. Other Regiments in Hébert's Brigade included: the 3rd and 21st Louisiana, 36th, 37th, and 43rd Mississippi Infantry Regiments and the 7th Mississippi Battalion. Due to their proximity north of Vicksburg, the Brigade didn't participate in the early battles of the Vicksburg Campaign. Following the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Champion's Hill, the Brigade would finally enter the action.

Hébert's Brigade remained on the Yazoo Bluff until May 17, 1863, when they were ordered to report to the front lines of Vicksburg. On May 18th, the Mississippi 38th took up a position covering the Jackson and Graveyard roads. On May 22nd, Ulysses S. Grant ordered a Federal assault on the Confederate works that covered the Jackson road and the Stockade redan. The Mississippi 38th played a part in repulsing the attack, suffering only light casualties. Captain William Larkin Faulk of Company B mentioned the events of May 22nd in his personal diary: "Heavy artillery firing during the night and up to 8 o’clock this morning. 7 o’clock p.m. – The enemy made a desperate charge on line commencing at 10:30 o’clock and was kept up around the lines until dark. The enemy made tremendous exertions to force our lines but with God’s assistance, we have been able to hold it."

The Mississippi 38th was moved to the right flank of the Louisiana redan on June 2, 1863 and was positioned between the 3rd and 21st Louisiana Infantry Regiments. On June 25th, Federal forces blew up mines under the redan. According several sources, the Confederates occupying the redan had prior knowledge of the potential mine blast and were able to get to a safe distance before the mine exploded.

Illustration of the mine explosion on June 25, 1863

The explosion on June 25th caused only light damage to the redan. Members of the Mississippi 38th were said to have been engaged in both fighting and repairing the redan at the same time. Captain Faulk of Company B wrote about blast in his personal diary: "The enemy attempted to blow up the parapet of the 3rd Louisiana and partially succeeded, and threatened us with a charge. We remained in the ditches all night."

Siege of Vicksburg. The fight in the crater of Fort Hill after the Union explosion June 25, 1863. Courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Following the unsuccessful attempt at destroying the Louisiana redan, Grant ordered a new mine to be dug. A second explosion occurred on July 2nd, this time taking out most of the redan. However, Federal forces were still unable to overtake the Confederate position and were pushed back with heavy losses.

On July 3, 1863, after a nearly month and a half long siege, Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton sent a note to Grant to request terms for a formal surrender. Grant initially took the stance that caused his nickname and demanded an "unconditional surrender" but later reconsidered, not wanting to feed the nearly 30,000 hungry Confederates in Union Prison Camps. Grant offered parole to the Confederate forces, with the condition that they never again take up arms against the United States.

On July 4th, the Mississippi 38th stacked arms in front of the works they had so gallantly defended. The men then marched toward the rear of their camp and were paroled. Captain Faulk of Company B wrote in his diary: "Another meeting of the officers on each side about 10 o’clock last night and still another about three o’clock this morning, the result of which was our surrender at 10 o’clock today. How humiliating it si for us to be compelled to submit to such an enemy, and that too on the 4th of July; but we have done all that men could do – we held them 48 days on very scant rations and we would have continued to hold the place had our rations held out. The Feds and our men are mixing together and talking good humoredly." During the Vicksburg Campaign, the Mississippi 38th suffered 35 killed and 39 wounded. The Mississippi 38th was reassembled at the Parole Camp in Enterprise, Mississippi where they remained until they were officially exchanged in December of 1863.

Picture of the Louisiana redan taken shortly after the fall of Vicksburg

In January of 1864, by order of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, the Mississippi 38th was mounted and became a Cavalry unit. The Regiment was consolidated with the Mississippi 14th Infantry Regiment and the Mississippi 3rd Cavalry.

Colonel Hinchie P. Mabry

The consolidated Regiment was assigned to Colonel Hinchie Parham Mabry's Mississippi Cavalry Brigade. The other Units in Mabry's Brigade were the 4th, 6th and 14th Mississippi Cavalry Regiments. The Brigade was engaged in operations against Federals around Yazoo City up until June of 1864 when they were ordered to North Mississippi to prepare for the Union invasion of that region.

Mabry's Brigade arrived in Okolona, Mississippi on June 13, 1864. Upon their arrival, they were assigned to the command of Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Confidence in their new commander was high. Forrest had just returned from one of his greatest victories at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads on June 10th.

General Nathan Bedford Forrest - Library of Congress

Forrest's victory at Brice's Crossroads caused the Federal Army to shift their strategy. Union General William T. Sherman was engaged in Georgia during the Federal defeat. Sherman's supply line solely depended on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. If Forrest could disrupt the supply line, Sherman's Georgia Campaign could grind to a halt. Sherman now seemed poised to try and handle the threat from Forrest. On June 16, 1864, Sherman issued the following order to Major General James B. McPherson, who was the Commander of the Department of the Tennessee:

"I wish you to organize as large a force as possible at Memphis, with Generals A. J. Smith or Mower in command, to pursue Forrest on foot, devastating the land over which he has passed or may pass, and make him and the people of Tennessee and Mississippi realize that although a bold, daring, and successful leader, he will bring ruin and misery on any country where he may pause or tarry. If we do not punish Forrest and the people now, the whole effect of our past conquests will be lost."

Federal Major General Andrew J. Smith was tasked to command the mission to destroy Forrest. On July 5, 1864, he led a force of nearly 14,000 men and 24 pieces of artillery out of La Grange, Tennessee and headed south into Mississippi. Forrest's Corps included roughly 7,500 Cavalry, 2,100 dismounted Cavalry who served as Infantry and about 20 pieces of artillery.

On July 9th, Mabry's Brigade moved from Saltillo to Ellistown, Mississippi, which was about 15 miles Northwest of Tupelo. Upon their arrival, the Brigade was temporarily assigned to Brigadier General Abraham Buford’s Division. Many Regiments in Buford's Division were engaged with Federal forces

Mabry's Brigade performed a blocking maneuver on July 11th to prevent the Federals from taking Okolona. The Brigade was held in reserve during the skirmishing at Pontotoc on July 12th. The Federals began to shift their interest and head for Tupelo. Mabry's Brigade, with Forrest at its head, began to press the rear guard of the retreating Federal army. Forrest ordered Mabry to force his way into the town of Pontotoc. Mabry's Brigade led a tremendous charge into the town, pushing aside two Federal units.

The Federal column continued to push towards Tupelo.   The Mississippi 38th continued its pursuit of the retreating Federals until roughly 2:00am on the morning of July 14th, when Mabry's Brigade pulled up to the town of Harrisburg and found the Federal Army drawn up in a line of battle, preparing to receive an attack.

The Federal position was very formidable, running nearly a mile an a half along the crest of a ridge that provided an excellent view of the surrounding landscape.   Mabry's Brigade faced an uphill challenge. Not only would they have to attack uphill, they would also be subjected to heavy musket and artillery fire. The Mississippi 38th dismounted and was deployed on the extreme Confederate left. Just after 8:00 am on the morning of July 14th, the Confederates were ordered to attack. As the Mississippi 38th cleared the woods and moved out in the open, they were immediately targeted by Federal cannoneers. Shot and shell began to tear holes in the Confederate line.   The Regiment regrouped and continued their advance on the Federal line. When they began to advance with 300 yards of the Federal position, Infantry fire began to pour into their ranks. Colonel Mabry's after battle report stated: "I immediately ordered a charge, but the heat was so intense and the distance so great that some men and officers fell exhausted and fainting along my line, while the fire from the enemy’s line of works by both artillery and small-arms was so heavy and well directed that many were killed and wounded. These two causes of depletion left my line almost like a line of skirmishers."

Although they incurred heavy casualties, the Mississippi 38th pressed on. When the unit reached within about 60 yards of the Federal line, many of the men who had survived the intense Union fire sought protection in a small depression in the ground. After exhausting every round of ammunition, the men began to fall back. Reinforcements from Colonel Tyree Bell's Tennessee Brigade began to draw attention away from the Mississippi 38th. Once the coast was clear, the Mississippi 38th withdrew from the field of battle. Their casualty count for the Battle of Tupelo was 21 killed, 51 wounded and 3 missing. The casualties of the Mississippi 38th were the highest in the Brigade.

The Regiment participated in the action at Concord Church on December 1, 1864. On January 2, 1865, they skirmished at Lexington and Verona. From February through May of 1865, the Mississippi 38th took part in the final Campaign in Alabama during Wilson's Raid. Their last major engagement of the war was at Sipsey Bridge on March 29, 1865. The Mississippi 38th surrendered with General Richard Taylor on May 4, 1865 at Brewersville, Alabama.

My 2nd cousin 5x removed, William F. Stovall fought in nearly every engagement that the Mississippi 38th participated in.

William F. Stovall was born in Marion County, Mississippi on March 8, 1843. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. His older brother Robert D. Stovall, served in the "Quitman Guards" a/k/a Company E, Mississippi 16th Infantry Regiment. William enlisted as a Corporal in the "Brent Rifles" a/k/a Company K, Mississippi 38th Infantry Regiment on April 26, 1862 at the age of 19.

1st Muster Roll for William

Sometime before July 1of 1863, William was promoted to Sergeant. He was captured and taken prisoner on July 4, 1863 during the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

POW Roll for William showing rank of Sergeant

On July 8, 1863, William received formal parole from Federal authorities, vowing not to take up arms against the United States again.

William's Parole Paper

Following his parole, William returned to duty and was listed as present and accounted for through June 30, 1864. No further records are in his service file.

Last Muster Roll for William

On February 9, 1922, William Stovall was listed as living at the Old Soldiers Home in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1922 Letter regarding William's Civil War Service

William F. Stovall lived an additional 60 years following the end of the Civil War. He died on July 12, 1935 at the Old Soldiers Home in New Orleans, Louisiana. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to William:

William F. Stovall (1843 - 1925)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Thomas Peter Stovall (1814 - 1899)

father of William F. Stovall

Drury Stovall (1770 - 1858)

father of Thomas Peter Stovall

Josiah Stovall Sr. (1749 - 1798)

father of Drury Stovall

Rebecca Stovall (1772 - 1852)

daughter of Josiah Stovall Sr.

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Rebecca Stovall

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

6 Influential Confederates: The Evans Brothers from Marion, South Carolina My 3rd cousins 5x removed

2013-04-18T19:35:00.003-04:00

Brigadier General Nathan George "Shanks" Evans

Nathan George "Shanks" Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on February 3, 1824. He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Nathan received his primary education at Marion Academy before briefly enrolling at Randolph-Macon College. While attending Randolph-Macon, Nathan received an appointment from John C. Calhoun to attend the United States Military Academy at Westpoint, where he graduated with high honors in 1848. At Westpoint, his distinctive, spindly, knock-kneed legs caused his classmates to nickname him “Shanks”. Upon his graduation, he entered the Cavalry, attaining the rank of Lieutenant in the Second Dragoons. From 1850-1853, Nathan served in the frontier of New Mexico, where he began a famous career as an Indian fighter. In 1856, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. His Second Dragoons saw much action against the hostile Comanches in the region. In a battle with hostile Comanches on October 1, 1858, he killed two of their chieftains in bloody hand-to-hand combat. For this action he was voted a "handsome sword" by the South Carolina Legislature.

Nathan George Evans early in his military career

Nathan resigned his commission in the United States Army in February of 1861. He bid farewell to his Colonel, Robert E. Lee and headed for Montgomery, Alabama, where he was commissioned as a Major in the Confederate States Cavalry. Evans was then commissioned as Adjutant-General of the South Carolina Army. He was present during the siege on Fort Sumter in April of 1861 where he commanded the Confederate forces on James Island.

Following the Battle of Fort Sumter, Evans was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He followed General Beauregard to Virginia where he had a small field command in the first encounter at Blackburn's Ford. Evans commanded the Seventh Brigade in Beauregard's Army during the First Battle of Bull Run a/k/a First Manassas, which included the 4th South Carolina Infantry Regiment, Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat's "Louisiana Tigers" Infantry Battalion, Terry's Squadron of Cavalry and section of Latham's Artillery Battery. His Brigade was posted on the Confederate left, guarding the Stone Bridge over the Bull Run stream.

First Battle of Bull Run, chromolithograph by Kurz & Allison

From his position, Evans quickly detected that his men were the target of a large Federal outflanking maneuver. Evans made a bold decision to move most of his men away from the spot they were originally tasked to defend without waiting for orders from the Confederate Command. Evans' Brigade moved North approximately one mile and took position on high ground north of Young’s Branch of the Bull Run. This position allowed the Brigade to repel the Federal attack.

Evans bold move allowed his men not only to repel the Federal attack, but to also make a brief pursuit of the Federal invaders. His position was eventually reinforced by Confederate General Bernard Bee. With the aid of Bee's troops, Evans' Brigade moved back across the Bull Run toward the Henry House where Stonewall Jackson's troops provided protection. He was said to have been everywhere during the battle, followed by aide who carried a small barrel of Evans' favorite whiskey on his back.

His quick action without waiting for orders helped secure a Confederate victory. Following First Bull Run, General Beauregard commended Evans' "dauntless conduct and imperturbable coolness". He was given command of a brigade of Mississippi and Virginia troops and assigned to guard the upper fords of the Potomac River above Washington, D.C.

Death of Col. Edward D. Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, by Currier and Ives

In October of 1861, a Federal force commanded by Colonel Edward D. Baker crossed the river near Leesburg, Virginia. On October 21, 1861, Baker's Federals clashed with Evans' troops at the Battle of Ball's Bluff. During the Battle, Colonel Baker was shot and killed. Evans' Brigade succeeded in inflicting great loss and driving the Federals into the Potomac. For his actions during the battle, Evans was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

In 1862, Evans was given command of a Brigade that consisted of the 17^th, 18^th, 22^nd, and 23^rd South Carolina Infantry Regiments, and Holcombe’s Legion of South Carolina Troops. His brigade was originally tasked with defending the seacoasts of the Carolinas, but due to the endless shortage of Southern manpower, the Brigade was ordered to remain in Virginia.   Evans' Brigade participated in Second Manassas, South Mountain and Sharpsburg. During the Battles of South Mountain and Sharpsburg, Evans temporarily commanded the Division.   Following the Battle of Sharpsburg, Evans was assigned to Eastern North Carolina where he was tasked with opposing a major Federal raid on Kinston and Goldsboro.

It is known that General Evans fancied a drink every now and then. Reports of his aide following him into battle with a small barrel of whiskey are widely known. Evans was tried for drunkenness during the Battle of Kinston and was subsequently acquitted.

In the Summer of 1863, Evans' Brigade was assigned to General Joseph E. Johnston's Army during the Vicksburg Campaign. Following the Confederate evacuation of Vicksburg, Evans returned to Charleston, South Carolina, where he began a feud with his superior officer, General Roswell S. Ripley. Ripley had Evans tried for disobedience of orders, of which he was acquitted. Despite his acquittal, Beauregard still viewed Evans as a liability. His reputation for being fond of alcohol now preceded him. Beauregard decided not to return Evans to his command. Evans complained that the efficiency of his Brigade was being ruined, to which Beauregard replied "I am sorry to have to add that no distribution or dispersion of the regiments of this brigade, as commanded by General Evans, would diminish its efficiency." Beauregard's report of the Brigade was found to be far from satisfactory.

Evans was finally given back command of his Brigade in April of 1864. As he was preparing to take his Brigade North to participate in the Petersburg Campaign, Evans was seriously injured in a carriage accident in Charleston. The command of Evans' Brigade was passed to Brigadier General Stephen Elliott. Although Evans eventually recovered from his injuries, he was never returned to his command.

General Elliott gallantly led a group of Confederates during the Battle of The Crater on July 30, 1864. During this battle, Evans' younger brother Asa Louis Evans led a group of Georgians during a charge.  Evans' former Brigade suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of the Crater.

General Evans now held a lesser position in the Confederate War Department in Richmond, Virginia.   He accompanied Jefferson Davis during the Confederate evacuation of Richmond in April of 1865, travelling with the president as far as Cokesbury, South Carolina.

Evans lived an additional 3 years following the end of the Civil War.  He became a High School Principal in Cokesbury and then in Midway, Alabama, where he died on November 30, 1868, probably from the effects of the carriage accident. He was 44 years old at the time of his death. Evans body was returned to Cokesbury, South Carolina where he was buried in the Tabernacle Cemetery.

Robert E. Lee's son, General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee once wrote of Evans:

"Shanks" Evans, as he was so called, was a graduate of the military academy, a native South Carolinian, served in the respected old Second Dragoons, and was a good example of the rip-roaring, scorn all-care element which so largely abounded in that regiment. Evans had the honor of opening the fight (First Manassas), we might say fired the first gun of the war."

Historical Marker at Tabernacle Cemetery

Grave of Brigadier General Nathan George "Shanks" Evans

**An interesting side note, Nathan Evans' son, John Gary Evans was the youngest Governor in South Carolina State history.

Governor John Gary Evans

John Gary Evans was born in Cokesbury, South Carolina on October 15, 1863. He is my 4th cousin 4x removed. After the death of his father in 1868, John lived with his maternal uncle, Martin Witherspoon Gary, who was also a Brigadier General for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He was educated in the secondary school in Cokesbury before enrolling in Union College in Schenectady, New York. His uncle's death in 1881 forced him to withdraw from College due to financial constraints. John eventually graduated in 1883. He was admitted to the Bar in Aiken, South Carolina in 1887. In 1888, John was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at the age of 25. Four years later, in 1892, he was elected to the South Carolina Senate. In 1894, at the age of 31, he was elected as the 85th Governor of South Carolina. John served only one term as Governor. Following his Governorship, he made several unsuccessful attempts to be elected to the United States Senate. He served as three time delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1900, 1912 and 1916. In 1914, he became the chairman of the South Carolina Democratic State Executive Committee and from 1918 to 1928 was the National Democratic Committeeman from South Carolina. Evans won a term to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1922 from Spartanburg and served on the judiciary and rules committees. On June 27, 1942, Evans died and was buried at Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield.

Grave of Governor John Gary Evans

William Edwin Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on December 17, 1835. He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed. William graduated high in his class at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. As a Midshipman in the Navy he visited Japan shortly after its Ports were opened to the world. He also visited many of the Ports and Capitals of Europe.

Following his graduation, he was commissioned as Master in the United States Navy, serving a short time prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. William did as most Southern men in the United States Army did, resigning his commission on February 2, 1861, following the secession of his native State of South Carolina. He was then commissioned in the Navy of the newly-formed Confederate States on March 26, 1861, as 1st Lieutenant and assigned to duty on board C. S. Cruiser Sumter.

The first Man-of-War to get to sea under the Confederate flag was the CSS Sumter. She was a steamer of 500 tons, and had formerly been the Spanish steamer Marquis de Habana. To get ready for the war, she was strengthened, a berth deck was put in, the spar deck cabins removed, and she was armed with an 8-inch shell gun, pivoted amidships, and four light 32-pounders on her broadside. On April 18, 1861, Commander Raphael Semmes was given command, with the following officers: Lieutenants. John M. Kell, Robert T. Chapman, John M. Stribling, and William E. Evans; Paymaster Henry Myers; Surgeon. Francis L. Galt; Midshipmen William A. Hicks, Richard F. Armstrong, Albert G. Hudgins, John F. Holden, and Joseph D. Wilson; Lieutenant of Marines B. K. Howell; Engineers Miles J. Freeman, William P. Brooks, Matthew O'Brien, and Simeon W. Cummings; Boatswain Benjamin P. Mc-Caskey; Gunner J. O. Cuddy; Sailmaker W. P. Beaufort, Carpenter William Robinson, and Captain's Clerk W. Breedlove Smith.

CSS Sumter, Ship's Officers on Deck, William E. Evans seated on left

On June 30, 1861, the Sumter sailed from the mouth of the Mississippi River, and was chased by the United States steamer Brooklyn before safely making it to sea. Captain Semmes cruised along the south side of the island of Cuba, taking eight prizes, before embarking to Cienfuegos. From there he cruised down the Spanish mainland, and on the 13th of November anchored at St. Pierre, Martinique. There he was blockaded by the United States ship Iroquois for nine days. On the night of November 23rd he swiftly made his escape and crossed the Atlantic to Cadiz, where he arrived on January 4, 1862, again taking several prizes on the way. Not being permitted to coal, he proceeded to Gibraltar, which port he reached on the 19th of January. Here he was blockaded by the United States vessels Tuscarora, Kearsarge and Chippewa, and it was decided to lay the ship up. In her brief career, the Sumter captured 7 vessels, of which 2 were ransomed, 7 were released in Cuban ports, 2 were recaptured, and 6 were burned.

William was then ordered to embark with Admiral Semmes on the C. S. Cruiser Alabama, but was detained in England by a severe illness until she had cleared port; subsequently he served as 1st Lieutenant on the C. S. Cruiser Georgia, and in 1864 was elevated to the rank of commander of that vessel.

The Georgia was bought at Dumbarton, Scotland, for the Confederate government. She was commissioned off Ushant in April, 1863, by Commodore William Maury, with the following list of Officers: Lieutenants. R. T. Chapman, Evans, Smith, and J. H. Ingraham; Passed Midshipman Walker; Midshipman Morgan; Paymaster Curtis, Surgeon Wheeden, and Chief Engineer Pearson. She cruised in the Atlantic, ran over to the coast of Brazil, and then to the Cape of Good Hope. On the 28th of October she anchored at Cherbourg, having taken 9 prizes. There Commodore Maury turned over the command to Lieutenant Evans.

Upon her sale by the Confederate Government, Captain Evans, was given one of the fleet little craft which did such valuable service as blockade runners of Southern ports and made many cruises, successfully eluding the watchful squadrons of the United States. His last voyage was through the blockade of Wilmington harbor, North Carolina, which port he succeeded in reaching during a heavy gale by running between the Federal cruisers lying almost abreast within the harbor, evading the consequences of his daring by the fact that in firing upon him, his enemies would have sunk their sister ships.

After the end of the war, Captain Evans went to Charleston, South Carolina and later to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in business, but suffering a severe injury, which caused concussion of the brain, he returned to South Carolina much impaired in health.

The following account, written by his distinguished friend and commander, giving some idea of Captain Evans' attractive personality, is taken from "Service Afloat," by Admiral Raphael Semmes, C. S. N., 125:

"Lieut. William E. Evans, the fourth and Junior Lieutenant of the ship (Sumter), is not more than twenty-four years of age, slim in person, of medium height, and rather delicate looking, though not from ill health. His complexion is dark, and he has black hair and eyes. He has a very agreeable, riante expression about his face, and is somewhat given to casuistry, being fond of an argument, when occasion presents itself. He is but recently out of the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, and like all new graduates, feels the freshness of academic honors. He is a native of South Carolina, and a brother of Gen. Evans, of that State, who so distinguished himself, afterwards, at the battle of Manassas, and on other bloody fields."

Biographical Sketch of William Edwin Evans

William Edwin Evans lived an additional 28 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Marion, South Carolina in 1893 at the age of 58. He is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Marion, South Carolina

Grave of William Edwin Evans

Asa Louis Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on April 10, 1834. He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Asa practiced law in Marion, South Carolina until the outbreak of the Civil War. He originally enlisted as First Sergeant in Company E, South Carolina 1st Infantry Regiment on January 5, 1861 for a six month period.

1st Muster for Asa

Asa fulfilled his six month obligation and was mustered out of Company E on July 9, 1861 in Richmond, Virginia.

Muster-out Roll for Asa

Following his brief stint in the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment, Asa again volunteered his services to the Confederacy and received an appointment as Adjutant on the staff of his older brother Brigadier General Nathan George Evans. Asa now held the rank of Captain. He was actively engaged in all of the campaigns of the latter and retained his commission after the retirement of General Evans, serving on the staff of General Stephen D. Elliott, who succeeded the command of Evans' Brigade. Asa served with conspicuous gallantry at the battle of "The Crater", at Petersburg, Virginia on July 30, 1864, leading the attack at the head of a Company of Georgians, whose commanding officers had been killed. For his performance he received the highest commendation in General Elliot's after battle report. After the conclusion of the war he returned to Marion and resumed his law practice until the Radicals Reconstructionists came into power. Asa retired to his plantation on the western side of the Pee Dee River, where he resided for many years. He returned to Marion to become the Deputy Clerk of Court. A position that he held until suffering almost total blindness. Asa was also Clerk of the Senate of the State of South Carolina for many years. He lived an additional 40 years following the end of the Civil War. Asa Louis Evans died in Marion, South Carolina on March 11, 1905 at the age of 70. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, South Carolina

Biographical Sketch of Asa Louis Evans

Grave of Captain Asa Louis Evans

Chesley Daniel Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on January 10, 1817. He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Chesley was educated at Marion Academy and the University of South Carolina, where he graduated in 1840. He read law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1843, practicing in his home County of Marion. In 1860, Chesley was chosen by his County as a delegate to the Convention which framed the Ordinance of Secession, and his name is subscribed to that famous document.

Signature of Chesley Daniel Evans

During the Civil War, Chesley was an Officer of the Reserve Guard of Marion, and saw duty in the latter years along the coast.

Biographical Sketch of Chesley Daniel Evans

Chesley Daniel lived an additional 32 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Marion, South Carolina on May 29, 1897 at the age of 80. He is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Marion South Carolina.

Grave of Chesley Daniel Evans

Dr. James Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on September 12, 1831. He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed. James was also educated at Marion Academy. He entered the South Carolina Military Academy in the class of 1853 at the age of seventeen. Due to friction between his class and the Academy, James and other members of his class were expelled. James returned home and began working as an engineer on the Cheraw & Darlington Railroad Company. James also worked on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad before moving to Carroll County, Mississippi to teach school. Following a brief stint in teaching he joined a corps of engineers who were building the Little Rock & Napoleon Railway. In 1857 The Governor of Arkansas appointed James as State Civil Engineer and tasked him with building the great levees along the Mississippi, Arkansas, and Red River fronts.

Dr. James Evans

In the Spring of 1859, James entered the University of Pennsylvania to pursue the study of medicine. He graduated with a degree in medicine in the Spring of 1861. James intended to set sail for Europe by way of New York, but after learning of the events in Charleston Harbor, he returned South to volunteer his services for the Confederacy. James learned of the military build up in Virginia and made his way to Manassas in time to offer his medical expertise on the field of battle. Following the battle, James was placed in charge of the Division Hospital at Leesburg, Virginia. In Leesburg, James would meet his future wife. James was soon detailed from his service at Leesburg and made and assistant at a Confederate Hospital in Adams Run, South Carolina. There he assisted Dr. Fred Giddings. During his service at Adams Run, he suffered a severe attack of hemorrhagic fever. Following his recovery, he was promoted to the rank of Major of the South Carolina 3rd Regiment of Volunteers. The 3rd South Carolina was attached to Kershaw's Brigade, McClaw's Division, Longstreet's Corps, Army of Northern Virginia for the duration of the war.

Following the war, James returned to Marion County where he purchased a modest plantation where he resided until moving to Florence, South Carolina in 1877. In 1887, James was elected President of the South Carolina Medical Association and at the expiration of his term was appointed by the Governor as a member of the State Board of Health. James wrote numerous articles which were published in various medical journals. He was also a member of the United Confederate Veterans, United Confederate Surgeons and South Carolina Chapter of Sons of the Revolution.

James lived an additional 44 years following the end of the Civil War. He died while on vacation in Clifton Springs, Ontario County, New York on July 15, 1909 at the age of 77. His body was returned to Florence, South Carolina and was laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Grave of Dr. James Evans

Beverly Daniel Evans was born in Marion, South Carolina on February 6, 1826. He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Like his brothers, Beverly was also educated at the Marion Academy, where he gained an appreciation for the Classics. Following his graduation, he studied law and was a school teacher. Beverly was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in Charleston in January of 1847. In 1852, Beverly left South Carolina and relocated to Sandersville, Georgia. In Georgia, he resumed his law practice.

Colonel Beverly Daniel Evans

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Beverly joined the "Washington Rifles" as a 2nd Lieutenant and became Captain of the Company. He eventually attained the rank of Brevet Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Georgia State Troops, the Regiment he served with through out the war. Following the war, Beverly returned home to Sandersville, Georgia and again took up his law practice. He survived and additional 32 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Sandersville, Georgia on March, 21, 1897 at the age of 71. He is buried in the Old City Cemetery in Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia.

Grave of Colonel Beverly Daniel Evans

Due to the fact that all of these men were brothers, I am only listing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Brigadier General Nathan George "Shanks" Evans:

Nathan George "Shanks" Evans (1824 - 1868)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

Jane Beverly Daniel (1795 - 1861)

mother of Nathan George "Shanks" Evans

Martha Julia Daniel (1763 - 1839)

mother of Jane Beverly Daniel

Chesley Daniel (1730 - 1814)

father of Martha Julia Daniel

James Daniel (1707 - 1760)

father of Chesley Daniel

Josiah Daniel (1744 - 1811)

son of James Daniel

William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)

son of Josiah Daniel

L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)

son of William Ford Daniel

William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)

son of L. Chesley Daniel

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

The "Hartwell Infantry" a/k/a Company C, Georgia 16th Infantry Regiment: 2nd Lieutenant Elias Sanders Dyer, my 2nd cousin 4x removed

2013-04-09T22:30:00.001-04:00

Original Tintype of 2nd Lieutenant Elias Sanders Dyar

The Georgia 16th Infantry Regiment a/k/a the "Sallie Twiggs" Regiment was organized by my 4th cousin 7x removed, Howell Cobb in the Summer of 1861. It's men were raised from the Counties of Madison, Elbert, Gwinnett, Habersham, Jackson, and Hart. Howell Cobb had previously served as Secretary of the Treasury under President James Buchanan from 1857 - 1860, and also as the 40th Governor of the State of Georgia from 1851 - 1853. Cobb also served as the acting Head of State for the Confederate Government for a two week period before Jefferson Davis was elected President.

Howell Cobb

The Georgia 16th Infantry Regiment had many brave soldiers, however two of its men rose rapidly through the ranks of the Confederate Army. Howell Cobb began his Confederate military career as Colonel of the Georgia 16th and rose to the rank of Major General. He is the highest ranking known ancestor in my family. Howell and his brother Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb have both been the focus of previous entries.

George Good Bryan

George Goode Bryan began his career as a Captain of the Georgia 16th before being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Bryan eventually rose to the rank of Brigadier General. The Georgia 16th was also known as the Sallie Twiggs Regiment in honor of his daughter, Sallie Twiggs Bryan, who was born in 1859.

Following the organization of the Regiment, the Georgia 16th was transferred to Richmond, Virginia via railroad. When the unit arrived in Richmond, their quarters were affectionately named "Camp Cobb" in honor of their Colonel. Below is an excerpt from the September 25, 1861 "Richmond Dispatch" describing the morale, shape and discipline of the Regiment:

Camp Cobb--16th Regiment Georgia Volunteers.

"--We were much gratified by a visit yesterday to the camp, at the old Fair Ground, of the 16th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, commanded by the Hon. Howell Cobb, President of Congress. A finer body of men, or a cleaner or better regulated camp, we have rarely seen. Although a few weeks ago a considerable number of this regiment were sick with the measles and remittent fever, we are happy to say that now, with very few exceptions, the entire strength of the regiment is fit for duty. The rapid improvement in the health of this corps is, we believe, mainly attributable to the rigid enforcement, by the Colonel and his officers, of the wise rule providing for the sick in camp, and only removing to the hospitals and private houses such cases as could not properly be attended to in the camp hospital, and to the extreme attention paid to the cooking of the soldiers' food, and the cleanliness of all parts of the camp.

During a somewhat protracted visit, we did not hear a single profane expression, nor a word which could offend the cars of the most sensitive. We found the men cheerful and happy, the officers courteous and obliging; the tents airy, scrupulously near, and well pitched, and the general arrangements for the comfort and good order of the regiment worthy of all commendation.

We understand that the stand of colors voted by Congress at its last session to the corps commanded by its President, is now ready, and will shortly be formally presented by the President of the Confederate States. From what we have seen of this fine body of Georgians, and from what we have heard of their moral and physical discipline, we can predict that they will prove themselves worthy of the proud distinction which the Congress has conferred upon them in the person of their able and popular Colonel."

General Howell Cobb

On February 13, 1862, Howell Cobb was appointed Brigadier General. The Georgia 16th was now a part of Cobb's Brigade. Following Cobb's promotion, George Goode Bryan was promoted to Colonel of the Regiment. Cobb's Brigade was attached to General Layfayette McLaw's Division in Major General James Longstreet's First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

Cobb's Brigade participated in the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles from June 25 - July 1, 1862, where they aided the Army of Northern Virginia in successfully defending the Confederate Capital. The Brigade also saw action at Second Manassas on August 28 - 30, 1862, which resulted in another Confederate victory very near the ground that was in the first major battle of the war in June of 1861.

On September 14, 1862, Cobb's Brigade played a key role in the fighting at Crampton's Gap during the Battle of South Mountain. It was in this battle that Elias Sanders Dyer was captured by Federal troops and taken prisoner. Crampton's Gap was located at the southernmost point of the Battle of South Mountain. A small group of Confederate Cavalrymen and a small portion of General McLaw's Division were tasked with defending the Brownsville Pass and Crampton's Gap. A group of about 500 Confederates in a thin line was deployed behind a three quarter-mile-long stone wall at the eastern base of Crampton's Gap. As 12,000 Federal soldiers approached, Cobb's Brigade arrived at a critical time to delay a Union advance through the gap. As the Union numbers grew, they began to overpower the outnumbered Confederates. Roughly 400 men from Cobb's Brigade were captured as prisoners of war.

Below is General Cobb's Post Battle Report that followed the Battle of Crampton's Gap:

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Opequon Crossing, September 22, 1862.

     GENERAL: On the 13th instant I was ordered by you to take and hold possession of Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry; which was done, without serious opposition. On the 14th my command was ordered by you to return to our former camp, at Brownsville. This order was received about 1 o'clock p.m., and the brigade was immediately marched to that point, reaching there about 4 p.m. I had been in camp about an hour when I received a message from Colonel Munford, at Crampton's Gap, distant about 2 miles, recommending the removal of my command to that point, as the enemy were pressing the small force at the gap. I immediately ordered my two strongest regiments to march to their support. Before, however, the head of the column had filed into the road I received a message from Colonel Parham, who was in command of Mahone's brigade at the gap, to the effect that the enemy was pressing him hard with overwhelming numbers, and appealing for all the support I could bring to him. I immediately ordered the remaining two regiments to march, and accompanied the command in person. As I was marching the last of the column, I received a message from you, through your assistant adjutant-general (Major Mcintosh) that I must hold the gap if it cost the life of every man in my command. Thus impressed with the importance of the position, I went forward with the utmost dispatch. When I reached the top of the mountain, I found that the enemy had been repulsed and driven back in the center and had been pursued down the other side of the mountain by Mahone's brigade. I soon discovered, however, that the enemy, by their greatly superior numbers, were flanking us both upon the right and left. Two of my regiments were sent to the right and two to the left to meet these movements of the enemy. In this we were successful, until the center gave way, pressed by fresh troops of the enemy and increased numbers. Up to this time the troops had fought well, and maintained their ground against greatly superior forces. The Tenth Georgia Regiment, of General Semmes' brigade, had been ordered to the gap from their position at the foot of the mountain, and participated in the battle with great courage and energy. After the lines were broken, all my efforts to rally the troops were unsuccessful. I was enabled to check their advance by momentary rallies, and, the night coming on, I made a successful stand near the foot of the mountain, which position we held during the night, and until a new position was taken about day-dawn the next morning, in the rear of Brownsville, which position was held until the surrender of Harper's Ferry. General Semmes' brigade and Wilcox's brigade, under the command of Colonel Cumming, of the Tenth Georgia Regiment, had been ordered, the former by General Semmes, the latter by yourself, to my support. They came up to the position I occupied during the night; they could not have reached me sooner. The whole number of troops engaged on our side did not exceed 2,200, whilst the force of the enemy was variously estimated from 10,000 to 20,000 men. It could not have been less than 10,000 and probably reached 15,000.
       It is impossible for me to report the casualties, as the fate of only a few of the large number missing is certainly known. Of the number who went into the battle there are now missing and unaccounted for over 800. The larger portion of this number is believed to be prisoners, as we were flanked on both the right and the left by the enemy, and, thus surrounded, our men were compelled to surrender. For the most successful rally made on the retreat from the crest of the mountain I was indebted to a section of the Troup Artillery, under Lieutenant [Henry] Jennings. They had been ordered forward, and had reached a point where, under the terrific fire of the enemy, their pieces were placed in position, and, by their prompt and rapid firing, checked for a time the advance of the enemy. One of the pieces was brought off safely; the other was lost by an accident to the axle. When I reached the gap I found both Colonel Munford and Colonel Parham active and energetic in the discharge of their duty, which continued to the end of the fight. Shortly after the lines were broken, and I was endeavoring to rally the troops, General Semmes appeared on the field, and, at great exposure and with great coolness and courage, gave me his cordial aid and co-operation. All of the members of my staff were on the field, and did all that could be done under the circumstances. One of them, Col. John B. Lamar, of Georgia, volunteer aide, whilst near my side, earnestly rallying the men, received a mortal wound, of which he died the next day. No nobler nor braver man has fallen in this war. There were many other acts of personal courage which circumstances prevent me from mentioning at present. The remnant of my brigade marched with the rest of your division from Harper's Ferry, and was engaged in the battle of the 17th, at Sharpsburg. I was necessarily absent for two days from the command, and reached it the morning after the battle, and the present absence of the officer then in command of this brigade prevents a report at this time of that day's operation.
       Accompanying this report is a list of the killed, wounded, and missing, made out with as much accuracy as practicable under existing circumstances.

I am, very respectfully, yours, &c.,
HOWELL COBB,
Brigadier-General

Cobb's Brigade continued to participate in the Maryland Campaign, fighting at Sharpsburg on September 17, 1862. Due to his capture at Crampton's Gap, Elias Sanders Dyer did not participate in the battle. Dyer was paroled by his Union captors in November of 1862. He returned to the Georgia 16th in time to participate in the Confederate victory at Fredericksburg in December of 1862. Following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Longstreet's Corps went in to winter quarters.

In October of 1862, Brigadier General Howell Cobb was detached from the Army of Northern Virginia and sent to the District of Middle Florida. Cobb was promoted to Major General in 1863 and placed in command of the District of Georgia and Florida.

On November 1, 1862, Howell Cobb's brother, also my 4th cousin 7x removed, Colonel Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb was promoted to Brigadier General. The command of Cobb's Brigade now passed to his younger brother. With another Cobb in command, the Brigade was able to keep its name.

General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb commanded the Brigade for just over one month. He was wounded in the thigh by a Union Artillery shell or minie ball while inside the Stephens house near the Sunken Road on Marye's Heights on December 13, 1862 during the Battle of Fredericksburg. He bled to death within minutes from damage to his femoral artery. Brigadier Generals Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb and James Johnston Pettigrew are the highest ranking known ancestors in my family to have died from wounds received in the Civil War.

Brigadier General Goode Bryan

Following the death of General Thomas R. R. Cobb, Colonel George Goode Bryan assumed command of Cobb's Brigade. Colonel Bryan led the Brigade during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1 - 3, 1863. During the Battle, the Georgia 16th were among the troops poised to attack a perceived weak spot in the Federal Line near Little Round Top, however the troops were recalled by General Longstreet and remained in reserve. Bryan was convinced that if his troops had been allowed to attack, they could have moved forward and won the battle. Bryan was promoted to Brigadier General on August 29, 1863.

Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the Georgia 16th followed Longstreet's Corps into the Western Theater but were not engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga. The Unit did participate in the Knoxville Campaign in November of 1863, taking part in the Battle of Campbell's Station on November 16th and the Battle of Fort Sanders on November 29th. Following the Knoxville Campaign, the Brigade returned to Virginia where they went into winter quarters.

Back in Virginia, the Georgia 16th participated in the Battle of The Wilderness from May 5 - 6, 1864. This battle took place on the land just west of the Battle of Chancellorsville, which had taken place a year earlier. On May 5th, Longstreet's First Corps were stationed at Gordonsville where they guarded the rail lines. Gordonsville was approximately 25 miles away from the dense forest of Spotysylvania known as theWilderness. Federal Generals Grant and Meade didn't want to engage the Confederates in the Wilderness because the dense forestry would negate the Union Army's superior numbers and artillery. Those were the very reasons that Robert E. Lee wished to fight there. The Confederate Second and Third Corps fiercely engaged the Federals on May 5th. On May 6th, numerous reinforcements from Longstreet's First Corps arrived and filled in the Confederate gap in the line. As the sun was setting on May 6th, Longstreet was struck in the neck by friendly fire. Command of the First Corps was now ceded to Major General Richard Anderson.

The Unit also participated in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House from May 8 - 21, 1864. On May 7th, Robert E. Lee ordered Anderson to move the First Corps to Spotsylvania Court House, predicting that Ulysses Grant's Federals would also converge on that area. Lee was correct in his assumption. The First Corps arrived at Block House Bridge and were informed that General J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry were holding off elements of Warren's V Corps off near Brock Road and needed reinforcements. Anderson deployed the Brigades of Henegan and Humphreys to aid Stuart. Stuart immediately deployed them along the crest of Laurel Hill, where they succeeded in holding off the Federal advance.

A courier from Major General Fitzhugh Lee's force arrived with news that Lee was engaging Federal Brigadier General James H. Wilson's cavalry near the court house. Anderson immediately deployed the Brigades of Bryan and Wofford, who aided Lee in fending off the Federal Cavalrymen. The First Corps spent the majority of the Battle fending off repeated Federal assaults on Laurel Hill. They were not engaged at the fighting near the "Bloody Angle".

It is not known whether Elias Sanders Dyer was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness or the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, only that he was mortally wounded in May of 1864.

Elias Sanders Dyar

Elias Sanders Dyar was born in Hart County, Georgia in 1830. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. According to family sources, he preferred to be called Sanders. Prior to the Civil War, he served as a Deacon of the Hartwell Baptist Church, Marshal of the Town and Deputy Sheriff of Hart County. Sanders volunteered for the Confederate Army on July 13, 1861. He was elected 2nd Lieutenant of the "Hartwell Infantry" a/k/a Company C, Georgia 16th Infantry Regiment.

Roster showing Sanders' election as 2nd Lieutenant

Two of his younger brothers also served in the Confederate Army. Joel Hunter Dyar, Jr. served as a Private in Company C, Phillip's Georgia Legion. Elisha Marion Dyar served as a Private in Company A, Phillip's Georgia Legion.

Sanders was captured by Federal troops at Crampton's Gap, Maryland on September 14, 1862, three days before the bloody battle at Sharpsburg. He was held prisioner at Fort McHenry, Maryland for just under two months, being sent to Fortress Monroe, Virgina where he was paroled on November 10, 1862.

POW Roll showing parole at Fortress Monroe

Sanders was critically wounded at either the Battle of the Wilderness or The Battle of Spotsylvania in May of 1864. His Regiment participated in both battles and Confederate records don't reference which particular battle he was wounded in.

Report showing Sanders admission to General Hospital at Camp Winder

He was then admitted to the first division General Hospital at Camp Winder in Richmond, Virginia, where he died from infection from these wounds on June 6th, 1864. Elias Sanders Dyar was 34 years old at the time of his death.

He is buried in Soldiers Section U, Grave 540 in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. At the time I originally wrote this entry, Sanders did nott have a headstone to mark his grave.

Final Resting Place for Elias Sanders Dyer. The small stone marks grave 538. Sanders is two graves up the row.

New Marker for Elias Sander Dyar

I'm happy to say that Elias has recently received his proper Confederate Headstone.

Here's my relation to Sanders:

Elias Sanders Dyer (1830 - 1864)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Joel Hunter Dyer (1794 - 1863)

father of Elias Sanders Dyer

Malvina Lavonia Wheeler (1760 - 1820)

mother of Joel Hunter Dyer

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

father of Malvina Lavonia Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

son of William Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

The "Bartow Guards" a/k/a Company E, Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment: The Nowell Brothers, my 3rd cousins 4x removed

2013-04-07T11:31:00.001-04:00

Georgia "State Rights" Banner from 1860

The Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment completed its organization in November of 1861 at Cusseta, Georgia. Its men were recruited from the Counties of Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Monroe, Bartow, Pulaski, Dawson, and Newton. An attorney and State Senator from Stewart County, Georgia named Clement Anselm Evans helped organize the Volunteer Company that would later become Company E a/k/a the "Bartow Guards".

Clement Anslem Evans

Evans was commissioned Major of the Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment on November 19, 1861. The Regiment was ordered to Richmond, Virginia where they were assigned to Brigadier General Alexander Robert Lawton's Brigade.

Brigadier General Alexander Robert Lawton

In the Spring of 1862, Lawton's Brigade participated in Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign where they marched 646 miles in 48 days and defeated two separate Union armies.

On May 13, 1862, Major Evans was promoted to Colonel and took command of the Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment. Colonel Evans and the Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment participated in the Seven Days Battles, Second Manassas and Sharpsburg a/k/a Antietam. General Lawton was seriously wounded on the morning of September 17, 1862 during the Battle of Antietam, effectively ending his field command for the duration of the war. Lawton was initially carried to a nearby field hospital to recover, but ended up being sent home to Georgia to recuperate. In August of 1863, General Lawton became the second Quartermaster General for the Confederacy.

In General Lawton's absence, Colonel Evans assumed command of Lawton's Brigade from September - November of 1862. Following the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862, Lawton's Brigade was reassigned to the command of Brigadier General John Brown Gordon.

Brigadier General John Brown Gordon

In June of 1863, while attached to General Jubal A. Early's Division, Gordon led his Georgia Brigade in the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania. His Brigade occupied Wrightsville, Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River, which was the farthest eastern point in Pennsylvania that any organized Confederate troops during the campaign.

On July 1, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Gordon's Brigade clashed with the Federal XI Corps on Barlow's Knoll. There, Gordon aided the wounded opposing Division commander, Major General Francis Barlow.

Federal Major General Francis Channing Barlow

This action led to a story which was recanted by both Barlow and Gordon, about both officers later meeting in Washington D.C., neither knowing that either had survived the war. An account of the story was written in several Magazines and John Brown Gordon's book "Reminiscences of the Civil War".

"Seated at Clarkson Potter's table, I asked Barlow: "General, are you related to the Barlow who was killed at Gettysburg?" He replied: "Why, I am the man, sir. Are you related to the Gordon who killed me?" "I am the man, sir," I responded. No words of mine can convey any conception of the emotions awakened by those startling announcements. Nothing short of an actual resurrection from the dead could have amazed either of us more. Thenceforward, until his untimely death in 1896, the friendship between us which was born amidst the thunders of Gettysburg was greatly cherished by both."

The Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment lost more than 25% of the 252 engaged at the Battle of Gettysburg. During the Battle, Colonel Evans assumed command of the Regiment while General Gordon took command of the Division. Evans also assumed command of the Brigade in 1864 during the fighting in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, while Gordon again commanded the Division. Colonel Evans was finally promoted to Brigadier General in May of 1864 and assumed permanent command of the Brigade. General Gordon assumed permanent command of the Division.

During the Battle of Spotsylvania in May of 1864, Gordon's troops succeeded in turning back the massive assault Federal assault at the "Bloody Angle", which prevented a Confederate rout. In June of 1864, Evans led the Georgia Brigade during the Confederate rout at Cold Harbor. Following the victory, General Evans' Brigade was again attached to General Jubal A. Early's Division just in time for the Valley Campaign. Evans was wounded during the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864. Following his recovery, he commanded John Brown Gordon's Division during the Siege of Petersburg through the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. General Gordon had been wounded on August 25, 1864 during a skirmish in Shepardstown, West Virginia. He returned to duty after General Early's defeat at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. Gordon led the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia until the end of the war.

Gordon commanded Evans to lead the last charge of the Army of Northern Virginia before it was surrendered at Appomattox Court House. During the charge, Evans troops captured Federal entrenchments, and several pieces of Artillery. Gordon's troops officially surrendered to Brevet Major General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain on April 12, 1865. Chamberlain had the following to say in his post war recollection, "The Passing of the Armies":

"The momentous meaning of this occasion impressed me deeply. I resolved to mark it by some token of recognition, which could be no other than a salute of arms. Well aware of the responsibility assumed, and of the criticisms that would follow, as the sequel proved, nothing of that kind could move me in the least. The act could be defended, if needful, by the suggestion that such a salute was not to the cause for which the flag of the Confederacy stood, but to its going down before the flag of the Union. My main reason, however, was one for which I sought no authority nor asked forgiveness. Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond;—was not such manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured? Instructions had been given; and when the head of each division column comes opposite our group, our bugle sounds the signal and instantly our whole line from right to left, regiment by regiment in succession, gives the soldier's salutation, from the "order arms" to the old "carry"—the marching salute. Gordon at the head of the column, riding with heavy spirit and downcast face, catches the sound of shifting arms, looks up, and, taking the meaning, wheels superbly, making with himself and his horse one uplifted figure, with profound salutation as he drops the point of his sword to the boot toe; then facing to his own command, gives word for his successive brigades to pass us with the same position of the manual,—honor answering honor. On our part not a sound of trumpet more, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, nor motion of man standing again at the order, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead!"

Two of my ancestors served in the "Bartow Guards" a/k/a Company E, Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment. They were both brothers from Georgia.

Arthur F. Nowell was born in Damascus, Early County Georgia on April 18, 1836. He is my 3rd cousin 4x removed. Arthur was one of five brothers who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. His younger brother George W. F. Nowell also served in the "Bartow Guards". Arthur's four older brothers all served in different Confederate Regiments. William Arnold Nowell served in Company L, Georgia 3rd Infantry Regiment. William Benjamin Nowell served in Company D, Georgia 10th Infantry Battalion. Archibald Marion Nowell served in Company I, Alabama 46th Infantry Regiment. Henry C. Nowell served in Company D, Georgia 2nd State Line Infantry Regiment. Their father, Luke Smithy Nowell, my 2nd cousin 5x removed, was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served as a Private in McDonald's 1st North Carolina Militia. By 1830, Luke and his family had relocated from North Carolina and settled in Georgia.

Arthur enlisted as a Private in the "Bartow Guards" a/k/a Company E, Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment on November 13, 1861 in Weston, Webster County, Georgia. He was 25 years old at the time of his enlistment.

1st Muster for Arthur

He was listed as present and accounted for through December of 1862. Arthur was wounded in the left hand at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862.

Muster roll showing Arthur was wounded in December of 1862

He was sent to the General Hospital at Camp Winder in Richmond, Virginia on December 14, 1862. Arthur was transferred to the General Hospital in Farmville, Virginia on January 16, 1863. As of February 9, 1963, he had returned to duty.

On May 12, 1864, Arthur was wounded in the right arm and captured by Federal Troops at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

Muster Roll showing Arthur was captured in May of 1864

He died in the Stanton U. S. Army General Hospital in Washington, D. C. on May 28, 1864 from complications from the amputation of his right arm. He was 27 years old.

Record of Death and Interment for Arthur

On May 29, 1864, Arthur F. Nowell was buried in the small Confederate section of Arlington National Cemetery. He is one of less than 500 Confederate soldiers buried there.

Grave of Arthur F. Nowell

George W. F. Nowell was born in Bibb County, Georgia on January 18, 1842. He is also my 3rd cousin 4x removed. George also enlisted a Private in the "Bartow Guards" a/k/a Company E, Georgia 31st Infantry Regiment on November 13, 1861 in Weston, Webster County, Georgia. He was 19 years old at the time of his enlistment.

1st Muster for George

George was listed as present and accounted through May of 1862. He was discharged by Certificate of Disability on May 7, 1862 at Beaulieu near Savannah, Georgia. Per his discharge letter, George had a bad cut on his left that was infected, rendering him unfit for duty.

Certificate of Disability for George

Regimental Record showing George's Discharge

George W. F. Nowell returned to Georgia and lived an additional 30 years following the end of the Civil War. George died in Gaines, Elbert County, Georgia on November 22, 1895 at the age of 53. He is buried in the Campground Cemetery in Clay County, Georgia.

Grave of George W. F. Nowell

Due to the fact that Arthur and George were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Arthur:

Arthur F. Nowell 1836-1864
3rd cousin 4x removed

Luke Smithy Nowell 1795-1866
Father of Arthur F. Nowell

William Isham Nowell 1773-1852
Father of Luke Smithy Nowell

William Nowell 1745-1787
Father of William Isham Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Sr. 1728-1777
Father of William Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Son of Dempsey Nowell Sr.

Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Company E, Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion: The Nowell Brothers, my 2nd cousins 5x removed

2013-03-02T09:09:00.004-05:00

Battle Flag Design for the Arkansas 4th

The Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion was originally organized at Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 10, 1861, with five companies from Clark, Prairie, Pulaski and White counties. Company E was comprised of men from Pulaski and White counties. J. M. Moore was elected Captain of the Company. Originally, the Battalion was ordered to the defenses of Columbus, Kentucky. By early 1862, the Battalion was assigned to protect a small island at the base of a tight double turn in the course of the Mississippi River near New Madrid, Missouri, simply referred to as Island No. 10.

Bombardment and Capture of Island Number Ten on the Mississippi River, April 7, 1862

The Federal bombardment of Island No.10 lasted from February 28 - April 8, 1862. Due to the island's location on the bend of the River, it was an ideal place to block Union efforts to invade the South from the Mississippi River. Federal vessels had to slow their approach in order to make the turn in the bend, effectively making them "sitting ducks". The downside to the strategic Confederate location was that it depended on a single road for supplies and reinforcements. If an enemy was to block the road, the Garrison would be trapped.

Following Federal Brigadier General John Pope's overland march through Missiouri, his force occupied the town of Point Pleasant, which was situated west of the island and south of New Madrid. From their position at Point Pleasant, the Federals transported heavy siege guns towards New Madrid. After only one day of Federal bombardment, Brigadier General John Porter McCown, the Confederate commander of the Garrison at New Madrid, gave the order to evacuate the town. McCown removed most of his command to Island No. 10. With Union forces now occupying New Madrid, they began to send Federal gunboats down river to attack Island No. 10. For three weeks, the defenders of the island, were subject to heavy mortar bombardment from the Federal ships. During this time, the Federal Army at New Madrid began digging a Canal across the neck of land to the east of the town. Once the canal was finished, it provided the Federal Army a means of crossing the river and attacking Confederate troops on the Tennessee side.

On April 4, 1862, Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote sent forth the USS Carondelet, under the command of Commander Henry Walke to supress the Confederate Artillery Batteries at their point of attack. Two nights later the USS Pittsburg, under the command of Lieutenant Egbert Thompson, also made its way past the Confederate Battery. With the support of the two Federal Gunboats, Pope was able to send his Army across the river and trap the outnumbered Confederates. The Confederate Garrison was surrendered to Flag Officer Foote on April 8, 1862. This was the first instance in the Civil War where the Confederate Army lost its position on the Mississippi River. It wouldn't be the last.

Following the Confederate defeat, the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion was sent to Fort Pillow, Tennessee, where they remained for only a short time. Following the Battle of Shiloh, the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion was sent to Cornith, Mississippi, where the unit was assigned to Colonel Evander McNair's Brigade. McNair had assumed command so the Brigade following General Benjamin McCulloch's death at the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Colonel, later Brigadier General Evander McNair

On November 4, 1862, Colonel Evander McNair was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. His Brigade included 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted), the 4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, 30th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, 4th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, and Humphrey's Arkansas Artillery Battery.

Brigadier General Thomas James Churchill

The 4th Arkansas was reorganized again at Camp Churchill Clark, Cornith, Mississippi on May 8, 1862. McNair's Brigade was assigned to Brigadier General Thomas James Churchill's Division in General Edmund Kirby Smith's Army of Kentucky just in time to participate in the Kentucky Campaign, also known as the Confederate Heartland Offensive. Thomas James Churchill is my 4th cousin 7x removed.

Army of Kentucky Battle Flag

In the Fall of 1862, two Confederate Armies traversed on separate paths into Kentucky. Their goal was to restore the power of the Confederate government in the State and to recruit its men into the service of the Confederate Army. General Edmund Kirby Smith's newly formed Army of Kentucky moved first, departing from Knoxville, Tennessee on August 13th. General Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi traveled on a parallel path through the western part of the state, departing Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 27th. It was Smith's idea to spearhead the attack.

On August 29, 1862, Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne led Smith's advance with Colonel John S. Scott's Cavalry in front. The Confederates soon encountered a force of Federal Cavalry and began skirmishing. By noon, Federal Artillery and Infantry had arrived and joined in the fighting. The additionl Federal units forced Scott's Cavalry to retreat to Big Hill, Kentucky. Brigadier General Mahlon D. Manson commanded the Federal forces in the area and ordered a Brigade to march towards Rogersville, Kentucky and pursue the retreating Confederates. The Federals caught up with Cleburne's force just in time for a brief skirmish before daylight was exhausted. That evening, Manson informed his superior, Federal Major General William "Bull" Nelson of his situation. Nelson advised Manson to prepare another Brigade for support.

Edmund Kirby Smith was determined to get the jump on the Yankees on the morning of August 30th. At daylight he ordered Cleburne to attack, promising that General Thomas J. Churchill's Division would soon reinforce his troops. Cleburne's men marched rapidly through Kingston, Kentucky, making light work of a small force of Federal skirmishers. Cleburne finally approached Manson's line of battle near Zion Church and commenced his attack. As the day progressed, Brigadier General Thomas J. Churchill led his men along a narrow ravine that would be later referred to as "Churchill's Draw" to deliver a surprise and successful flanking attack on the Federal Position.

As Confederates concentrated their attack on the Union right, the Federal line began to crumble. Union troops began to retreated towards Rogersville, Kentucky, where they made a futile stand at the site of their old camp. Bull Nelson arrived on the field in time to try to rally the Federals in the cemetery outside of Richmond, Kentucky, but it was too little, too late. Smith's Confederates completed their rout of the Federals. Before the battle, Smith's Confederate Army of Kentucky was comprised of roughly 6,800 men, while Nelson's Union Army of Kentucky had about 6,500. The total number of casualties for each army was quite staggering. The Union had suffered a staggering 5,353 casualties, 206 killed, 844 wounded, 4,303 captured or missing. The Confederate's only suffered 451 casualties, 78 killed, 372 wounded, 1 missing.

Major General John Porter McCown

In December of 1862, McNair's Brigade was assigned to Major General John Porter McCown's Division just in time to participate in the Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee which was also known as the Battle of Stones River. On December 31, 1862, McNair's Brigade took part in a brilliant charge by McCown's Division which drove the Federal right back a distance of 3 - 4 miles, bending it back upon the Federal center, until the line was at a right angle to its original position. This was one of the only instances that favored the Confederates during the Battle. The Federal victory at Stones River, was costly to the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion. Severely understrength due to battle losses, the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion was consolidated with the Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment.

In June of 1863, McNair's Brigade was again reassigned, this time to the Division commanded by Major General Samuel Gibbs French in Joseph E. Johnston's Department of the West. Ulysses S. Grant was now threatening to lay Siege to Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Johnston's Department of the West was tasked with relieving Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton's beleaguered garrison at Vicksburg. Pemberton's men had been fending for themselves since early May. The Confederates had successfully driven off two separate Federal attacks on May 19th and 22nd, repulsing the Yankees with heavy casualties. On May 25, 1863, Grant decided to besiege the City.

Siege of Vicksburg, by Kurz and Allison

Meanwhile, Johnston had amassed a large Confederate force at Jackson, Mississippi and began a cautious march toward the Grant's position at Vicksburg with roughly 30,000 troops. Grant dispatched William Tecumsah Sherman to deal with Johnston's threatening force. By July 1, 1863, Johnston's force was in position along the Big Black River. Three days later, Vicksburg was officially surrendered to U. S. Grant's Federal Force. The Confederates held out for more than 40 days, however with no reinforcements and virtually no supplies, the Garrison finally surrendered on July 4, 1863. The surrender came one day after Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg. The combination of these two events is considered the turning point of the Civil War by many historians.

On July 5th, following the Confederate defeat at Vicksburg, General Sherman was finally free to move against Johnston. Johnston withdrew his force back across the Big Black River with Sherman in pursuit. By July 10, 1863, both Armies had taken up positions near Jackson, Mississippi. Heavy fighting commenced on July 11th with an unsuccessful Federal attack. Union Colonel Isaac C. Pugh was ordered to attack the Confederate works occupied by Confederate Brigadier General Daniel W. Adams Brigade and was repulsed with heavy casualties. As the Federals increased pressure on the Confederates, Johnston chose to evacuate the State capital and withdraw from Jackson on July 16, 1863, rather than risk entrapment for his Army.

Following the defeat at Vicksburg, McNair's Brigade was transferred back the Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee. The Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment was again consolidated, this time the Regiment took on the remaining elements of the Arkansas 31st Infantry Regiment. Three full Regiments had begun the war, now they barely filled up one Regiment. Colonel Henry Gaston Bunn, of the Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment commanded the consolidated Regiment. The Regiment would end the war as the Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment.

Henry Gaston Bunn

The Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment participated in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 - 20, 1863. This battle pitted General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee with strength of roughly 65,000 effectives against Federal General William Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland, which contained approximately 60,000 soldiers. The battle was named for the Chickamauga Creek, which streams near the battlefield in Northwest Georgia and flows into the Tennessee River.

Battle of Chickamauga by Kurz and Allison, 1890

In early September of 1863, Rosecrans consolidated his scattered forces in Tennessee and Georgia. This move put pressure on Braxton Bragg and forced his army out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, moving them south into Georgia. Federal troops pursued Bragg's Confederates and briefly engaged them at the Battle of Davis's Crossroads on September 10th - 11th. Bragg was determined to reoccupy Chattanooga and began advancing his troops northward on September 17, 1863.

On the morning of September 19th, The Army of Tennessee encountered Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland near Chichamauga Creek. Bragg ordered his army to attack. Bragg's men strongly assaulted, but couldn't break the Federal line. The next morning, Bragg again ordered his men to attack. Rosecrans was misinformed that he had a gap in line. He then ordered Federal reinforcements to close up the gap in his ranks. This move caused an actual gap to appear in the Federal line. Lieutenant General James Longstreet, on loan from the Army of Northern Virginia, ordered eight Brigades forward to attack the newly created gap. McNair's Brigade was one of the Confederate Brigades tasked to attack the gap in the Federal line. Viciously the Confederates raced through the gap, completely driving one third of the Federal force, along with Rosecrans, from the battlefield. The men of the Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment helped seal one of the Confederacy's greatest victories in the Western theater of the War. It wasn't without cost to the consolidated 4th/31st/4th Arkansas, who lost 24 percent of the 385 soldiers engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga. Brigadier General Evander McNair was also wounded during the battle. He was sent home to Mississippi to recover. Following his recovery he was reassigned to the Trans-Mississippi Department, where he served for the remainder of the war.

After the Battle of Chickamauga, McNair's Brigade moved back into Central Mississippi to oppose William Tecumsah Sherman's Meridian Campaign. Sherman had organized a force of roughly 20,000 men to move into Central Mississippi and wreck havoc on railroads, lines of communication or anything else believed to be of use to the Confederacy. The Meridian Campaign was a tune up for the "total war" tactics Sherman would later use in Georgia and South Carolina.

Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk

McNair's Brigade was assigned to the command of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, who was in command of all of the Confederate forces in Mississippi. Polk consolidated all of the available forces in the region to counter Sherman's threat, but inevitably failed to stop Sherman's destruction. Meridian was effectively destroyed. The bulk of Polk's troops were reassigned back to the Army of Tennessee in time to oppose Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.

Union Major General William T. Sherman and his staff in the trenches outside of Atlanta

In the Summer of 1864, newly appointed Brigadier General Daniel Harris Reynolds assumed command of McNair's Brigade. Reynolds had risen up the Confederate ranks, originally starting as a Captain in the 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifle Regiment. Reynolds became the Regiment's Major on April 14, 1862, its Lieutenant Colonel on May 1, 1862 and its Colonel on September 20, 1863 following the Battle of Chickamauga. On March 5, 1864, Reynolds was appointed Brigadier General.

Daniel Harris Reynolds

The Consolidated Arkansas 4th Infantry Regiment spent the Summer and Fall of 1864 opposing General William Tecumsah Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. After the fall of Atlanta, the 4th Arkansas along with the remainder of the Army of Tennessee, now under the command of Lieutenant General John Bell Hood, moved their operations back into Tennessee.

Lieutenant General John Bell Hood

By the Fall of 1864, Hood had been twice severely injured in battle. He was the victim of an artillery shell that rendered his left arm useless for the rest of his life at the Battle of Gettysburg. Hood was again wounded while leading a charge at the Battle of Chickamauga, causing his right leg to be amputated 4 inches below the hip. Despite his injuries, Hood had risen to fame as one of the Confederacy's most promising Generals.

The Consolidated 4th Arkansas participated in Hood's Tennessee Campaign, also known as the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. The Campaign was actually a series of battles that took place in Alabama, Tennessee and Northwest Georgia from September 18 - December 27, 1864. Following Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, Hood's men returned to Tennessee to destroy Sherman's lines of communication and supporting infrastructure in the area. Sherman's Federals briefly pursued Hood's Confederates, but abandoned their pursuit and returned to Atlanta for Sherman's infamous "March to the Sea". This left the Union forces under the command of Major General George H. Thomas to deal with Hood's impending threat.

Hood hoped to tag a quick victory against Major General John Schofield's troops before they could converge with Thomas's Army. He attempted to do so at the Battle of Spring Hill on November 29, 1864. Poorly coordinated Confederate attacks allowed Schofield to escape. On November 30th, Hood continued his offensive against Schofield's Federals who were firmly entrenched at Franklin, Tennessee.

Battle of Franklin, by Kurz and Allison (1891)

Hood's men led a series of failed assaults against Schofield's position. The Confederate assault included eighteen Brigades and culminated in devastating losses to the men and the leadership of the Army of Tennessee. The Army lost fourteen Confederate Generals (six killed or mortally wounded, seven wounded, and one captured) and 55 regimental commanders were casualties. Many historians have referred to this as the "Pickett's/Pettigrew's Charge of the West" due to the severe losses suffered by the Confederates. Schofield's troops were able to carry out their planned withdrawal in order and eventually link up with Thomas's Army.

Unwilling to abandon his original attack plan, Hood's force marched wearily towards the heavily fortified city of Nashville and proceeded to besiege the town with inferior forces. Two weeks later, on December 15 -16, 1864, the combined armies of Thomas and Schofield, attacked the depleted Army of Tennessee at Nashville.

On December 15, 1864, General Thomas laid out a plan to launch a diversionary attack on the Confederate right. The intended threat to the Confederates would actually be their left. He assumed Hood would counter the attack and divert troops from their left to their right. Hood's Confederates held strong and sent two Brigades to reinforce the Confederate left.

The Confederate line was much more stronger and compact on December 16th. At least that's what it seemed at first appearance.   In reality the Confederate works were put up hastily on the evening of December 15th by tired and battle weary Confederates. The trenches were shallow and had no covering or abatis.   The fortification was also located on salient, surrounded on three sides by the Federals, which allowed easy bombardment from the enemy. The Union attack on the 16th proved to be much stronger and more coordinated than the attacks on the 15th. At 3:00pm, Federal Brigadier General John McArthur sent a notice to General Thomas that he was going to attack the Confederate fortifications unless he heard anything contrary within five minutes.

McArthur's Brigade, along with two additional Brigades, carried out the initial attack on the Confederate line. Each Brigade approached the salient from a different direction.   The attacks were well coordinated and devastated the Confederate line on all fronts. The Confederate line folded. As nighttime fell, Hood's Army retreated toward Franklin. Federal casualties in the Battle of Nashville were 387 killed, 2,562 wounded, and 112 missing. Confederate casualties numbered approximately 2,500 killed or wounded and nearly 5,000 missing or captured.

Following the Battle of Nashville, the Army of Tennessee was decimated. The Arkansas Regiments of Reynold's Brigade marched all he way to Tuepelo, Mississippi, where they went in to Winter Camp on January 10, 1865. On January 30th, Reynold's Brigade broke camp and began their arduous travel northward to link up with Joseph E. Johnston's troops. The Brigade participated in its final contest of the Civil War at the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina on March 19, 1865. Following the battle, the Unit marched to Smithfield, North Carolina where the entire Brigade was consolidated into one understrength Regiment, the 1st Consolidated Mounted Rifles.

The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Mounted Rifles surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Greensboro, North Carolina, April 26, 1865. The Regiment was paroled on May 1, 1865, at Jamestown, North Carolina.After the surrender, the men were offered free rail transportation in the direction of their homes, by what was left of the Southern railway companies. Most of the men traveled by rail, where they could. A large number of men were killed or seriously injured in a railroad accident at Flat Creek Bridge, Tennessee on May 25, 1865.

Three brothers from the Nowell family served in Company E of the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion. Each brother was born in Madison County, Tennessee, but made their way to Arkansas by the beginning of the Civil War.

Dempsey Nowell, Jr. was born on March 12, 1845 in Madison County, Tennessee. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Dempsey is a name that was used in several early generations of the Nowell family. It is believed that my 6th Great Grandfather, Dempsey Nowell, Sr. (1728-1777), was the first Nowell born in the state of North Carolina. Dempsey Nowell, Sr.  was also the Great Grandfather of this particular Dempsey Nowell. This branch of the Nowell family originally moved to Tennessee sometime in the 1820's. By 1860, Dempsey and his family had relocated to Duncan, Pulaski County Arkansas. He enlisted as a Private in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 1, 1861 at the age of 17.

1st Muster Roll for Dempsey

Dempsey was captured at the Battle of Nashville on December 16, 1864.

POW Roll showing Dempsey's capture

He was originally confined to a Federal Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky.

POW Roll showing Dempsey's confinement in Louisville, Kentucky

On December 21, 1864, Dempsey was transferred to Camp Douglas, Illinois.

POW Roll showing Dempsey's transfer to Camp Douglas

He remained in confinement at Camp Douglas until he was released on June 19, 1865 in accordance with General Orders No. 109.

POW Roll showing Dempsey's release from Camp Douglas

Following his release, Dempsey returned to Madison County, Tennessee where he married Elizabeth Barrett on October 30, 1866 at the age of 21. Sometime before 1900, Dempsey and his family moved back to Arkansas. He lived an additional 61 years following the end of the Civil War. Dempsey Nowell, Jr. died in Benton Township, Faulkner County, Arkansas on March 14, 1826 at the age of 81. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Rev. Reuben F. Nowell was born in 1835 in Madison County, Tennessee. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Marriage records indicate Reuben was living in Arkansas by 1858. He enlisted as a Private in El Paso, Arkansas on March 1, 1862 at the age of 27.

1st Muster for Reuben

Unfortunately for Reuben, he contracted tuberculosis sometime in 1862. He was finally sent to Lookout Mountain Hospital on July 24, 1862.

Muster Roll showing Reuben was hospitalized in July of 1862

He made an attempt to return to serve his country, but apparently he was too sick. Reuben left the Regiment again in May of 1863, this time never to return.

Muster Roll showing Reuben left the Regiment again in May of 1863.

Reuben died sometime in 1863. He was 28 years old. It is said that when Reuben returned home, his companion helped him get out of the wagon and assisted him in getting inside his cabin where he later died. He is believed to have been buried at the Patton Hollow Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Samuel J. Nowell was born April 19, 1841 in Madison County, Tennessee. He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. Census records indicate that Samuel continued to live in Madison County, Tennessee until joining his brothers in the Arkansas 4th Infantry Battalion on March 1, 1862 at El Paso, Arkansas where he enlisted as a Private at the age of 20.

1st Muster Roll for Samuel

Poor health also affected Samuel's service to the Confederacy. He very well could have contracted tuberculosis like his brother Reuben. Samuel only served for a total of 14 days before returning home with an unspecified illness. Samuel left on a boat and returned home on March 15, 1862.

Muster Roll indicating Samuel left the Regiment on March 15, 1862

Confederate service records indicate he never returned to the Regiment. Samuel recovered from his illness and lived an additional 58 years following the end of the Civil War. Census records show Samuel returned to Madison County, Tennessee, where he lived until he died on January 26, 1923 at the age of 81. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Since all three of these men were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1845-1926
2nd cousin 5x removed

Dempsey Nowell 1805-1846
Father of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

John Nowell 1765-1830
Father of Dempsey Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Sr. 1728-1777
Father of John Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Son of Dempsey Nowell Sr.

Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

The North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment: One 4th Great Granduncle, One 3rd Great Granduncle, 12 Cousins, And The Husband Of A Cousin

2013-02-24T14:47:00.006-05:00

Regimental Flag of the 2nd North Carolina Volunteers

The North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment was originally designated as the 2nd North Carolina Volunteers. Both Volunteer and State Regiments were being raised simultaneously to serve the Confederacy. Early in the war, officials in the records department in the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia were having difficulty keeping track of Regiments with similar numbers. The State of North Carolina decided that all Volunteer Regiments would be redesignated as State Troops and that the Volunteer Regiments would now have to add 10 to their Regimental number. The 2nd North Carolina Volunteers effectively became the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment.

The 2nd North Carolina Volunteers were organized near Garysburg, North Carolina on May 15, 1861, however the ten Companies that made up the regiment had been training at the Old Fairgrounds in Raleigh since late April. The men of the Regiment originally enlisted for a twelve month period. Its men were recruited from the Counties of Warren, Granville, Catawba, Cleveland, Nash, Duplin, Halifax, and Robeson. The Unit was officially mustered in to the service of the Confederacy on May 16, 1861. The Regiment was officially redesignated as the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment on November 14, 1861. Soloman Williams of Nash County was elected as the Regiment's first Colonel. Colonel Williams was a graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point.

Colonel Soloman Williams

On May 22, 1861, The North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment left their training camp at Garysburg by rail for Richmond. Upon their arrival in Richmond, they were ordered to Norfolk, Virginia to help prepare for an expected attack. While in Norfolk, the North Carolina 12th was placed under the command of Brigadier General William Mahone.

The North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment spent the Summer of 1861 at Camp Carolina, near the old Fairgrounds. Camp Carolina offered ideal grounds to train and drill and the men of the 12th became proficient in the military art of warfare. Military training aside, the men of the 12th lacked discipline. Many men in its ranks were educated and wealthy and intermingled freely with the Field Staff and Company Officers. This made it very difficult to discipline the troops. As Winter arrived, the Regiment made its way to their Winter quarters at Camp Arrington, near the Sewell's Point Battery. The Regiment remained at Camp Arrington until they left Norfolk on May 6, 1862. The City of Norfolk was evacuated by the Confederacy just 3 days later on May 9th. Following the evacuation of Norfiolk, Mahone's Brigade was sent to Petersburg, where the North Carolina 12th was detached from the Brigade and ordered to join General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch's Brigade at Gordonsville, Virginia.

General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch

Lawrence O'Bryan Branch was born in Enfield, Halifax County, North Carolina in 1820. His family relocated to Williamson County, Tennessee, however his mother died in 1825 and his father in 1827. His uncle, Secretary of the Navy and Governor of North Carolina, John Branch assumed guardianship and took him back to North Carolina. Branch moved to Washington D. C. with his uncle when John Branch was appointed Secretary of the Navy. While in Washington, Branch was tutored by Salmon Chase. Branch also studied at Bingham Military Academy in North Carolina before studying for a time at the University of North Carolina. In 1838, he graduated first in his class from the University of Princeton. Branch Moved to Florida in 1840 to practice law, just one year later he went to fight in the Seminole Wars. In 1852, Branch and his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he continued his law practice and became president of the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad. Branch was elected as a Democrat to serve in the 34th, 35th, and 36th Congresses, which served from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1861. On December 2, 1860, he was appointed, but declined, the position of Secretary of the Treasury by President James Buchanan.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Branch took the side of his native State. In May of 1861, Branch enlisted as a Private in the Raleigh Rifles. Later in the month, he accepted the office of State Quartermaster General, but resigned that commission to serve in the field. In September of 1861, Branch was elected Colonel of the North Carolina 33rd Infantry Regiment. He was appointed Brigadier General in January of 1862.
After the Battle of New Bern, his Brigade was attached to A.P. Hill's Division, Stonewall Jackson's Corps. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch was the senior Brigadier General in Hill's Division. Branch met his untimely death on September 17, 1862 at Sharpsburg, Maryland during the Battle of Antietam. He is buried in Raleigh's City Cemetery.

Grave of General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch

After the North Carolina 12th joined their new command, Branch's Brigade was ordered to move his men to Ashland, Virginia. There they performed picket duty, watching the right flank of the Federal Army in front of Richmond. On May 27, 1862, Branch's Brigade was engaged at Peake's Crossing near the Hanover Court House. During the battle, the North Carolina 12th was ordered to the Confederate left where they engaged in a sharp skirmish with the enemy. Branch received word that the Federals were moving on his flanks. He ordered his men to disengage and return to Ashland. During the battle, the Regiment suffered 7 men killed and 20 wounded.

When the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment returned to Ashland, they were ordered to rejoin the Brigade commanded by General William Mahone in the Confederate lines at Richmond. Colonel Soloman Williams was transferred to the North Carolina 2nd Cavalry. Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Wade became Colonel of the Regiment. On June 17, 1862, the Regiment was transferred from Mahone's Brigade and assigned to Brigadier General Samuel Garland's Brigade. Garland's Brigade also included the 5th, 13th, 20th and 23rd North Carolina Infantry Regiments and was attached to Lieutenant General Daniel Harvey Hill's Division. Samuel Garland is my 4th cousin, 5x removed.

Brigadier General Samuel Garland

The Federal Army of the Potomac under the command of General George B. McClellan had pushed to within a few miles of the Confederate Capital of Richmond. Following the inconclusive Battle of Seven Pines, Robert E. Lee wanted to take initiative and attack the Federals rather than to remain on the strategic defensive. Lee believed that a defensive strategy would play into Union hands and allow the Confederacy to be worn down. The decision was made for a Confederate attack. Lee planned to shift his 90,000 man army to the North of Richmond and attack McClellan's right flank. J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry had ridden around McClellan's Army and confirmed their right flank was vulnerable on Totopotomoy Creek. Stonewall Jackson's force was transported by rail from the Shenandoah Valley and was ordered to attack McClellan's right and rear. The remainder of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, under the commands of Major Generals A. P. Hill, James Longstreet and D. H. Hill were to attack from the direction of Mechanicsville, Virginia.

The Seven Days Battles began on June 25, 1862 with a Union attack at the Battle of Oak Grove. The first major battle wouldn't be until the following day when Lee launched a large scale attack on McClellan's force at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek. There Lee deployed the Divisions of A. P. Hill and James Longstreet against Federal Major General Fitz John Porter's V Corps north of the Chickahominy. Although the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek was a tactical Union Victory, McClellan realized that he could not keep Porter's Corps in place with Stonewall Jackson's force now threatening his flank. McClellan made the fatal decision to change the army's base of supply from White House on the Pamunkey River to Harrison's Landing on the James River, effectively abandoning the railroad that led from the Pamunkey. This move ensured he would no longer be able to supply his planned Siege of Richmond with the necessary heavy artillery.

At 2:00 am on the morning of June 26, 1862, Garland's Brigade moved to the Chickahominy Bridge on the Mechanicsville Turnpike and joined Robert E. Lee. The Brigade was ordered to cooperate with Stonewall Jackson on the Cold Harbor Road.

Photo of the Historic Cold Harbor Road taken in August of 2012

Stonewall Jackson's troops made up the Confederate left. At daylight, General D. H. Hill found his route blocked and sent forth the Brigades of Generals Garland and George Burgwyn Anderson to the left to turn the Federals position. The Union troops abandoned their defenses when the two Brigades began to move on their flank and rear. General D. H. Hill's Division moved toward Cold Harbor and was deployed along the edge of the Powhite Swamp. The Divisions of James Longstreet and Ambrose Powell Hill were engaged with the enemy at Gaines' Mill.

Historical Marker at the site of Gains' Mill

Stonewall Jackson's and D. H. Hill's troops were ordered to support the Confederates already engaged. Garland's Brigade was on the extreme left of Confederate line. General George Burgwyn Anderson's Brigade was on the right of Garland's Brigade when they encountered the enemy at the edge of the swamp. Garland's Brigade moved to attack. After a short, bloody contest the Federals were cleared from the woods. A general attack was then ordered and put pressure on the Federals front and right. As night arrived, the skirmish ended and the Federals withdrew completely from their position.

Historical Marker at the site of Grapevine Bridge

The Confederate left commanded by Stonewall Jackson moved to cross the Chickahominy at Grapevine Bridge. Unfortunately for the Confederates, Grapevine Bridge had been destroyed by the enemy during their retreat. The troops went into camp as the bridge was being rebuilt on June 28th. The following day on June 29th, the Confederates finally crossed the bridge and proceeded to White Oak Bridge, which had also been destroyed by the retreating Federals.

Historical Marker at the site of White Oak Bridge

A large force of Federals kept the pursuing Confederates from rebuilding the bridge, effectively rendering Stonewall Jackson's troops useless while the Battle of Frayser's Farm raged on. Following that battle, the bridge was rebuilt and Jackson's troops reunited with the right wing of the Confederate Army. D. H. Hill's Division was moving to meet the enemy at Malvern Hill. D. H. Hill's troops were placed in the Confederate center. On July 1, 1862 a general assault was launched on the enemy's position at Malvern Hill.

D. H. Hill's Division advanced across an open field. Federal Artillery Batteries were at a distance of 700 - 800 yards. Shot and shell tore into the ranks of the advancing Confederates. Garland's Brigade advanced until they were forced to halt and take cover about half way to the Federal position. It was obvious to Garland that support was not coming. He ordered his Brigade to retire from the field. Following the Battle of Malvern Hill, McClellan's Army retreated to Harrison's Landing. The North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment suffered 51 killed, 160 wounded and 1 missing during the Battles of Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill.

Battlefield Burials for Confederate Soldiers. Following the Battle, the soldiers remains were relocated.

Garland's Brigade went into camp near Malvern Hill until they marched back to their original camp near Richmond on July 9 -10. D. H. Hill's Division was then ordered to remain in front of Richmond to watch the Federal Army at Harrison's Landing.

In mid August, Garland's Brigade was ordered to Hanover Junction. On August 26, 1862 the Brigade marched to join the rest of D. H. Hill's Division at Orange Court House. The entire Division moved to rejoin the Army of Northern Virginia on August 28th. It reached the Army at Chantilly, Virginia on September 2, 1862 after the Second Battle of Manassas and crossed into Maryland on September 5th. The Army of Northern Virginia halted when they reached Frederick, Maryland. Lee sent Stonewall Jackson's troops to capture Harper's Ferry. Longstreet's Division continued to advance toward Hagerstown, Maryland.

On September 10, 1862, D. H. Hill's Division moved out of Frederick as the Rear Guard of Longstreet's Column. Hill's force was deployed along the South Mountain Gaps below Boonsboro, Maryland. Hill stationed Garland's Brigade at Fox's Gap on September 13th. On September 14th, Federal Major General Jesse L. Reno's IX Corps began to threaten the Confederate position at Fox's Gap. The North Carolina 12th was sent forward to reinforce the North Carolina 5th, which was under heavy pressure from the enemy. Unfortunately the Regiment was without Regimental Officers. Their senior Captain failed to coordinate the advance of the Regiment. The result was disastrous. Men began to scatter as soon as they came under fire. Some advanced to support the North Carolina 5th, some retreated from the field, while some others moved to the flank and joined other units for the remainder of the fight. The commanding officer of the North Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment reported that "we were joined by a small party of the 12th North Carolina Regiment early in the morning, who continued with us throughout the day and rendered us very efficient aid."

Federal Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox's Kanawha Division secured much of the land south of Fox's Gap. Cox pushed through the North Carolinians positioned behind a stone wall at the Gap's crest, but he failed to capitalize on his gains as his men were exhausted, allowing Confederate reinforcements to deploy in the gap around the Daniel Wise farm. Union soldiers reportedly buried 60 Confederates on Wise's farm, paying him $60 in compensation.

During the engagement, Brigadier General Samuel Garland was mortally wounded while defending a stone wall bordering one of farmer Daniel Wise's fields. He died within minutes. Federal Major General Jesse L. Reno was also killed in the battle. Colonel McRae of the 5th North Carolina assumed command of the Brigade. In his official after battle report, D.H. Hill memorialized him, "This brilliant service, however, cost us the life of that pure, gallant, and accomplished Christian soldier, General Garland, who had no superiors and few equals in the service."

Garland's body was retrieved by Union troops and sent down the mountainside, where General George B. McClellan ordered an honor guard to accompany the body until it could be transferred to Garland's friends and transported home. On September 19, 1862, Garland was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia next to his wife and infant son, who had both preceded him in death.

Grave of General Samuel Garland

Garland's Brigade, now under the command of Colonel Duncan K. McRae held their position until the following day when they were ordered to concentrate at Sharpsburg, Maryland. The North Carolina 12th had entered the Battle of South Mountain with 92 effectives and suffered 58 casualties.

Just three days later, the North Carolina 12th participated in the bloody Battle of Antietam. The reputation of the lack of discipline in the 12th had preceded the Unit. Colonel MacRae was reputed as a man of commanding gifts, but of very strong prejudices, and the whole Brigade knew of his prejudice against the 12th Regiment. The severity of discipline over bis own Regiment was universally known, and because the 12th was not willing to submit to the same discipline in camp as he enforced on his own men, he always spoke of the 12th as a lot of "undisciplined gentlemen who thought themselves better than others."

On the morning of September 17th, the Confederate left was vigorously attacked. Garland's Brigade, still under the command of Colonel McRae, and two other Brigades in Hill's Division Colquitt's and Ripley's) were ordered to support Stonewall Jackson's right. Colonel McRae reported:

"The Brigade was moved from its position, on the Hagerstown road, to the support of Colquitt's, which was then about engaging [sic] the enemy on our left front. This was about 10 o'clock. We moved by the left flank, until we reached a point near the woods, when a line of battle was formed and the advance begun. Some confusion ensued, from conflicting orders. When the brigade crossed the fence, it was halted and formed and again advanced. Coming in sight of the enemy, the firing was commenced steadily, and with good will, and from excellent position, but, unaccountably to me, an order was given to cease fire - that General Ripley's brigade was in front. This produced great confusion, and in the midst of it a force of the enemy appearing on the right, it commenced to break, and a general panic ensued. It was in vain that the field and most of the company officers exerted themselves to rally it. The troops left the field in confusion, the field officers, company officers and myself bringing up the rear. Subsequently several portions of the brigade, under Colonel Alfred Iverson, Captain T. M. Garrett, and others, were rallied and brought into action, rendering useful service."

The loss of Garland had demoralized the men of the 12th. In an article in the May 1886 edition of a magazine entitled "The Century", D. H. Hill described the morale of the North Carolina 12th following their activity at the Battle of Antietam:

"Garland's Brigade was badly demoralized by his fall and by the rough handling it had received." ...." Garland's Brigade had behaved nobly until demoralized by the fall of its gallant leader and being outflanked by the Yankees."

Following the Battle of Antietam, Colonel Alfred Iverson was promoted to Brigadier General and was named Brigade Commander of Garland's Brigade on November 6, 1862.

Brigadier General Alfred Iverson

By December of 1862, The Federal Army of the Potomac had positioned itself across the Rappahanock from Fredericksburg, Virginia. On December 3, 1862, Hill's Division was sent to Port Royal, Virginia, below Fredericksburg and was ordered to prevent anyone from crossing the Rappahanock. It remained there until December 13th when it was finally ordered to Fredericksburg. As the Battle of Fredericksburg raged on, Iverson's Brigade remained in reserve, only losing 5 men to long range Artillery fire. Following the battle, the Regiment went into winter quarters at Fredericksburg. The North Carolina 12th spent the Winter of 1862-1863 performing picket duty along the Rappahanock River.

In January of 1863, Lieutenant General Daniel Harvey Hill was ordered to Richmond to be reassigned. His Division was reassigned to General Robert Emmett Rodes. The Division remained in General Stonewall Jackson's Corps.

General Robert E. Rodes

As winter gave way to spring, The Federal Army of the Potomac, now under the command of Major General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker, made its way up the left bank of the Rappahanock River. Robert E. Lee shifted a portion of his army to counter the threat. On May 1, 1863, Stonewall Jackson's Corps marched down the Orange and Fredericksburg Road and headed toward the direction of Chancellorsville, Virginia.

The Battle of Chancellorsville took place between April 30 - May 6, 1863. It pitted Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Joseph Hooker's Federal Army of the Potomac. Hooker's force was nearly double the size of Lee's. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson decided to split the Army of Northern Virginia and attack from two fronts.

Stonewall Jackson

On May 2nd, Rode's Division, took part in a devastating flank attack against the Union XI Corps commanded by Major General Oliver Howard. Howard had been warned of Confederate troop movements, however declined to prepare his men for an attack. Stonewall Jackson's flanking maneuver targeted the right flank of the Union Army, which was unanchored by any geographical barrier such as a river or mountain. The Union XI Corps were sitting ducks. From the cover of the woods, Jackson and his command watched the unsuspecting Federals eating dinner in their camp. At approximately 6:00 pm, the order to attack was given. The Federals were completely caught by surprise. Very few of the Brigades were able to meet the Confederate charge. The XI Corps were completely routed. The North Carolina 12th captured 3 Union Regimental colors and a Federal Colonel. General Iverson was wounded in the groin by a spent shell. The Confederate victory was one of Robert E. Lee's finest. It came at quite a price.

Battle of Chancellorsville by Kurz and Allison

As Jackson and his staff were returning to camp on May 2nd, they were mistaken for a Union cavalry force by the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. A soldier of the 18th shouted, "Halt, who goes there?", but fired before waiting for a reply. The men in Jackson's group screamed out for the Confederates to hold their fire. Shots continued to ring out. In all, Jackson was hit by three bullets, two in the left arm and one in the right hand. Several other men in his staff were killed in addition to many horses. Darkness and confusion prevented Jackson from getting immediate care. He was dropped from his stretcher while being evacuated because of incoming artillery rounds. Because of his injuries, Jackson's left arm had to be amputated by Dr. Hunter McGuire.Jackson was moved to the Chandler family plantation named Fairfield. He was offered Chandler's home for recovery, but Jackson refused and suggested using Chandler's plantation office building instead. He was thought to be out of harm's way; but unknown to the doctors, he already had classic symptoms of pneumonia, complaining of a sore chest. This soreness was mistakenly thought to be the result of his rough handling in the battlefield evacuation. Jackson died from pneumonia on May 10, 1863 at the age of 39.

His body was returned to his home of Lexington, Virginia, where it was buried in his family plot in the Lexington Cemetery, which was renamed Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.

Original Grave of Stonewall Jackson

A statue of Jackson was completed in 1891, at which time his remains were removed and buried underneath in the center of the cemetery.

Final Resting Place of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

Stonewall Jackson's left arm that was amputated on May 2nd was buried separately by Jackson's chaplain, at the J. Horace Lacy house, "Ellwood", in the Wilderness of Orange County, Virginia.

June of 1863 was relatively quiet for the men of the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. By the end of the month, the Regiment took up the northward march into enemy territory once again. On the 1st of July, the Regiment along with Iverson's Brigade, found themselves on the field of battle near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. General Robert Rodes planned to carry out an attack on the north side of town, near Oak Hill with the Brigades of Iverson and Colonel Edward A. O'Neal. Due to a miscommunication, O'Neal only sent forth three out of his four Regiments. It was intended for the Brigades of Iverson and O'Neal to support each other. Orders weren't clear on which Brigade should lead the attack. O'Neal didn't commit his full force to battle. Both of these facts were reasons that the attack failed, however neither Iverson nor O'Neal chose to lead their Brigades in person, but rather from some distance in the rear.

As the piecemeal attack started to fall apart, O'Neals men began to fall back. Iverson's force of roughly 1,350 men began to drift leftward towards a stone wall. Little did the men of Iverson's Brigade know, but veteran Federal troops under the command of Brigadier General Henry Baxter lay in wait behind the stone wall. As the men of Iverson's Brigade crested the hill, they were shot to pieces. As many as 500 men were instantly gunned down. Due to the way the line of battle was formed, the North Carolina 12th was not exposed to this onslaught. Lieutenant Colonel Davis, who was commanding the North Carolina 12th at the time, ordered his men to take cover while he formulated a plan. Davis ordered his men to make a surprise charge on the unsuspecting Federals. This charge led to the entire collapse of the Federal position in the area of the battlefield in which the North Carolina 12th was engaged.

Monument to Iverson's Brigade at Gettysburg

From the rear, it appeared to Iverson as though his men had laid down on the field. Little did he realize, all those men were dead. He exclaimed to Rodes that his men were "cowards". Upon finally reaching the front of the battle, Iverson realized nearly his entire force was destroyed. He was overwhelmed by the fate of his men and had what modern day doctors would call a nervous breakdown. In total, Iverson's Brigade suffered approximately 900 killed or wounded on July 1, 1863. Iverson was deemed "unfit for command" for the remainder of the battle. The North Carolina 12th spent the remainder of the Gettysburg Campaign attached to Stephen Dodson Ramseur's Brigade.

Once the Army of Northern Virginia had retreated as far as Williamsport, Maryland, Robert E. Lee relieved Iverson of his command and assigned him to Provost Marshal duty, which effectively removed him from combat command. The North Carolina 12th spent the Winter of 1863 - 1864 guarding the bridges over the North Anna and South Anna Rivers in Virginia.

By May of 1864, Iverson's Brigade had a new commander, Brigadier General R. D. Johnston. On May 9th, the men of the newly formed "Johnston's Brigade" were ordered on a reconnaissance mission to report the Federal position near the Wilderness in Orange County, Virginia. During their mission, the Brigade became engaged with Federal Major General Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps. The Brigade suffered heavy casualties during the engagement. Johnston's Brigade was transferred from Rodes Division to the Division commanded by Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early, however on May 8th, Early had taken temporary command of the Third Corps. Major General John Brown Gordon assumed command of Early's Division.

John Brown Gordon

During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Johnston's Brigade was originally held in reserve near the "mule shoe". The Brigade received orders from General Gordon to report to the front. As the Brigade marched to the front, they encountered advancing Union troops and were pushed back, suffering heavy casualties. Valiantly, the Brigade reformed and continued their attack. First hand accounts from the men of the North Carolina 12th indicate roughly two thirds of the Regiment was killed or wounded in the battle.

Following the battle, Early's Division was placed under the command of General Stephen Dodson Ramseur and participated in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. They also participated in the defense of Petersburg and Richmond. At the Battle of Appomattox Court House, the North Carolina 12th made it's last charge against a line of dismounted Federal Cavalrymen, successfully carrying the position. The remaining men of the North Carolina 12th surrendered with Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865.

Battle Flag of the North Carolina 12th, captured at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19 1864

Fourteen members of my family served in four different Companies in the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment.

Company B was known as the "Townsville Guards" and was organized in Granville County, North Carolina on April 26, 1861. The Company was ordered to Garysburg, North Carolina where it was mustered in as Captain Henry Eaton Coleman's Company. My three ancestors that served in Company B were all brothers from Granville County.

Charles F. Currin was born on April 17, 1846 in Granville County, North Carolina. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Charles enlisted as a Private in Alexander County, North Carolina on March 13, 1864, for the duration of the war. He was 19 years old at the time of his enlistment.

1st Muster for Charles

He was listed as present and accounted for until he was wounded in the left leg and captured at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia on October 19, 1864.

Muster Roll showing that Charles was captured on Oct. 10, 1864

He was hospitalized at Strasburg, Virginia before being transferred to a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Hospital Roll showing Charles' Injury and Transfer

He was then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland on November 22, 1864.

POW Roll for Charles

Charles was released from Point Lookout on June 26, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Oath of Allegiance for Charles

Following the war, Charles returned to Granville County, North Carolina. By 1910, Charles and his family had relocated to Durham County, North Carolina. Charles F. Currin lived an additional 52 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Dakewood, Durham County, North Carolina on February 17, 1917. He was 70 years old. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

James Pomfret Currin was born on August 31, 1846 in Granville County, North Carolina. He is my 3rd Great Granduncle. Prior to the war, James was a farmer. He enlisted in Waynesboro, Wayne County, North Carolina on August 31, 1864 on his 18th birthday, August 31, 1864.

James Pomfret Currin's 1st Muster Roll

James was captured at the Battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley on October 19, 1864. He was sent to Harper's Ferry and then to Point Lookout Prison where he remained until February 13, 1865 when he was exchanged.

Record showing James' Exchange

After the war, James retuned home to Granville County where he resumed life as a farmer. He died on April 27, 1921 in Granville County, North Carolina at the age of 76. He is buried in the Mountain Creek Baptist Cemetery in Oxford.

Grave of James Pomfret Currin

Here's my relation to James Pomfret Currin:

James Pomfret Currin 1846-1921
3rd great-granduncle
Abner Currin 1810-1865
Father of James Pomfret Currin
Martha Ann Currin 1834-1917
Daughter of Abner Currin
Phebe Lucy Daniel 1872-1946
Daughter of Martha Ann Currin
Valeria Lee Moss 1890-1968
Daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis 1918-1977
Daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis 1948-
Daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Joyce Elaine Lewis

John Barker Currin was born on May 9, 1842 in Granville County, North Carolina. He is also my 1st cousin 5x removed. Prior to the war, John was a farmer by trade. He enlisted as a Private in Granville County on April 26, 1861 at the age of 19.

1st Muster for John

John was present and accounted for through December of 1864. During the Gettysburg Campaign, John assisted the Ambulance Corps. One can only imagine the horror he witnessed.

Muster Roll showing John's service with the Ambulance Corps

Following the war, he returned home to Granville County and resumed farming.

John Barker Currin

By 1920, John had relocated to Redwood, Durham County, North Carolina. John Barker Currin lived an additional 59 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Durham County on June 24, 1924 at the age of 82. He is buried in the Stovall Baptist Church Cemetery in Stovall, Granville County, North Carolina.

Grave of John Barker Currin

Samuel Jefferson Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina on May 31, 1838. He is also my 1st cousin 5x removed. Prior to the war, Samuel was also a farmer by trade. He enlisted as a Private in Granville County on April 26, 1861 at the age of 24.

1st Muster Roll for Samuel

Samuel was listed as present and accounted for until he was hospitalized in Richmond, Virginia on July 6, 1862 with a gunshot wound to the foot.

Hospital Roll showing Samuel's injury

He was discharged in July of 1862 after furnishing Private William Dail as a substitute.

Roll of Honor showing Samuel had furnished a substitute

Samuel lived an additional 53 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Stovall, Granville County, North Carolina on April 10, 1918 at the age of 79. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Due to the fact that all three of these men were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Samuel Jefferson Currin:

Samuel Jefferson Currin (1838 - 1918)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Stephen Currin (1811 - 1882)

father of Samuel Jefferson Currin

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

father of Stephen Currin

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Fleming B. Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1824. He is my 4th Great Granduncle. Fleming enlisted as a Private in Company B, North Carolina 12th Infantry at Taylorsville, North Carolina on March 13, 1864 at the age of 40.

1st Muster Roll for Fleming

Sadly, Fleming would not spend much time with the Regiment. Fleming was wounded during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864 and died from his wounds on May 22, 1864.

Fleming Currin was 40 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Fleming:

Fleming B. Currin (1824 - 1864)

is your 4th great grand uncle

James Currin III (1785 - 1866)

father of Fleming B. Currin

Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)

son of James Currin III

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Abner Currin

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

2nd Company C was also known as the "Warren Rifles" and was organized in Warrenton, Warren County, North Carolina on May 2, 1861. The Company was ordered to Garysburg, North Carolina where it was mustered in as Captain Thomas L. Jones's Light Infantry Company. This Company was originally designated Company E, Company G, Company H and Company I, before it was it was finally designated as Company C. Since it was the second Company to be designated Company C, it was officially referred to as 2nd Company C.

Samuel C. Harris was born in Warren County, North Carolina on June 2, 1838. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Prior to the war, Samuel was a farmer by trade. Samuel enlisted as a Private in Company C, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment on May 4, 1861 at the age of 23.

1st Muster Roll for Samuel

Samuel was detailed as a Teamster in January of 1863, meaning he drove a team of horses for the Regiment. Confederate records indicate Samuel held this position until being captured.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was detatailed as a Teamster

Samuel was captured at Strasburg, Virginia on October 19, 1864.

Muster Roll showing Samuel was captured

He was initially sent to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia before being sent to Point Lookout Prison, Maryland on October 25, 1864.

POW Roll for Samuel

Samuel was then sent to City Point, Virginia for a prisoner exchange on March 18, 1865. No further record of Samuel can found in Confederate records. Samuel C. Harris returned to North Carolina and settled in Granville County, North Carolina. He died in Granville County on March 3, 1916 at the age of 77. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Samuel:

Samuel C. Harris (1838 - 1916)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Reuben Harris (1797 - )

father of Samuel C. Harris

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Reuben Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Lemuel P. Hagood was born in Warren County, North Carolina in 1825. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Lemuel enlisted as a Private in Company C, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment on June 23, 1861 at the age of 36.

1st Muster for Lemuel

Lemuel P. Hagood died from disease at Ridgeway, Warren County, North Carolina on June 24, 1862. He was 37 years old at the time of his death.

Roll of Honor showing Lemuel's Death

Lemuel was 37 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Lemuel:

Lemuel P. Hagood (1825 - 1862)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Sabrina M Harris (1805 - 1845)

mother of Lemuel P. Hagood

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Sabrina M Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Elvis Green Adcock was born in Granville County in 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. By 1860, Elvis had relocated to Warren County, North Carolina and was a farmer prior to his enlistment. He enlisted as a Private in Warren County, North Carolina on May 4, 1861 at the age of 18.

1st Muster Roll for Elvis

Elvis was listed as present and accounted for until he was wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862. He was sent to Warrenton to recover from his wounds.

Regimental Return for Elvis following his injury at Gaines' Mills

He returned to duty prior to November 2, 1862, and was listed as present and accounted for until he was wounded in the hand at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 5, 1863.

Casualty Report showing Elvis was wounded in the hand at the Battle of Chancellorsville

Elvis returned to duty prior to July 1, 1863, just in time for the Gettysburg Campaign.

Muster Roll showing Elvis had returned to duty in time for Gettysburg

He was listed as present and accounted for until he was wounded in the right lung and arm and captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on May 19, 1864. Elvis Green Adcock died from his wounds in a Federal Hospital in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 1864.

Muster Roll showing Elvis was killed following the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

He was originally buried in the Confederate Section of Arlington National Cemetery.

Original Interment Record for Elvis

In 1883, the Ladies Memorial Association had the remains of over 100 Confederate soldiers disinterred and brought back to the South. The remains were placed in four coffins and were buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh on October 17, 1883.

Memorial Plaque at Raleigh's Oakwood Cemetery for the 107 Confederates who were relocated from Arlington

Close-up showing Elvis G. Adcock's name (3rd name on plaque)

Memorial Stone in Oakwood Cemetery for the relocated 107 Confederates

James E. D. Adcock was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1844. He is also my 2nd cousin 4x removed. By 1860 James was also living in Warren County, North Carolina and was a farmer by trade. James enlisted in Warren County, North Carolina on May 4, 1861 at the age of 16.

1st Muster Roll for James

James was listed as present and accounted for until he died in a Hospital in Richmond, Virginia on July 1, 1862 of disease.

Roll of Honor showing James died of disease in Richmond

James E. D. Adcock is buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery in an unmarked grave. It's a goal of mine to make sure James gets the headstone that he most definitely deserves.

James and Elvis had another brother, Pumphrey Adcock, who died in the Civil War. Pumphrey served in the North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment and has been the feature of a previous entry.

Due to the fact that James and Elvis were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Elvis:

lvis Green Adcock (1842 - 1864)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Elvis Henderson Adcock (1810 - 1896)

father of Elvis Green Adcock

Jesse Adcock (1773 - 1860)

father of Elvis Henderson Adcock

Bollin Adcock (1737 - 1804)

father of Jesse Adcock

William Adcock (1790 - 1858)

son of Bollin Adcock

Annie Tyson "Fanny" Adcock (1835 - 1912)

daughter of William Adcock

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of Annie Tyson "Fanny" Adcock

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

2nd Company D was also known as the "Granville Greys" and was raised in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina on April 22, 1861. The Company was ordered to Garysburg, North Carolina where it was mustered in as Captain George Wortham's Company. The Company was originally designated as Company B before it was designated as Company D. Since it was the 2nd Company to serve as Company D, it was officially referred to as 2nd Company D.

Fleming S. Beasley was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 6x removed. Fleming was a clerk by trade prior to his enlistment. He enlisted as a Private in Granville County, North Carolina in April 22, 1861 at the age of 20.

1st Muster Roll for Fleming

Fleming was listed as present and accounted for until he was killed at the Battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia on July 1, 1862.

Roll of Honor showing Fleming was killed on July 1, 1862

Here's my relation to Fleming:

Fleming Beasley (1842 - 1862)

is your 2nd cousin 6x removed

Fleming Beasley (1799 - 1861)

father of Fleming Beasley

Sarah Sally Pomfret (1763 - 1848)

mother of Fleming Beasley

John Pomfret (1720 - 1814)

father of Sarah Sally Pomfret

Frances Hunt Pomfret (1747 - 1826)

daughter of John Pomfret

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

son of Frances Hunt Pomfret

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

George Bullock Daniel was born in Granville County, North Carolina on November 26, 1838. He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed. George was a farmer by trade prior to enlisting as a Private in Granville County, North Carolina on April 22, 1861 at the age of 25.

1st Muster Roll for George

He was listed as present and accounted for until he was "discharged by promotion" on October 12, 1861.

Muster Roll showing George's Discharge

George went on to serve as Captain of Company F, North Carolina 17th Infantry Regiment. He lived an additional 47 years following the end of the Civil War. George Bullock Daniel died in Granville County, North Carolina on August 21, 1912 at the age of 73. He is buried in the family cemetery on his Great Grandfather's plantation, Tranquility, in Granville County, North Carolina.

Grave of George Bullock Daniel

Here's my relationship to George:

George Bullock Daniel (1838 - 1912)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

Nathaniel Chesley Daniel (1797 - 1853)

father of George Bullock Daniel

James Chesley Daniel (1762 - 1841)

father of Nathaniel Chesley Daniel

Chesley Daniel (1730 - 1814)

father of James Chesley Daniel

James Daniel (1707 - 1760)

father of Chesley Daniel

Josiah Daniel (1744 - 1811)

son of James Daniel

William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)

son of Josiah Daniel

L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)

son of William Ford Daniel

William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)

son of L. Chesley Daniel

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

John Steven Meadows

John Steven Meadows was born in Granville County, North Carolina on February 25, 1840. He is my 2nd cousin, 4x removed. John enlisted as a Private in Company D, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment in Norfolk, Virginia on August 1, 1861 at the age of 21.

1st Muster Roll for John

John was taken prisoner on September 14, 1862.

Muster Roll showing John was captured on September 14, 1862

Following his capture he was send to Fort Delaware, Maryland. On October 2, 1862, John was sent to Aiken's Landing, Virginia for exchange. He was officially exchanged on November 10, 1862.

POW roll showing John's exchange

John was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 and left in the hands of the enemy.

Muster Roll showing John was wounded at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 and left in the hands of the enemy

Following his capture, he was sent to DeCamp General Hospital, David's Island, New York Harbor where his wound resulted in the amputation of his arm.

List showing John was received at DeCamp General Hospital

Following the recovery of his arm amputation, John was formally paroled from DeCamp General Hospital and sent back home to Granville County, North Carolina.

POW Roll showing John's parole

John didn't let the lose of his arm slow him down one bit. When he returned to Granville County, North Carolina, he became a Doctor and started a family. John Steven Meadows lived an additional 36 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Louisburg, Franklin County, North Carolina on July 10, 1901 at the age of 61. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg, Franklin County, North Carolina.

Grave of John Steven Meadows

Loton P. Meadows was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1842. He is also my 2nd cousin, 4x removed. Loton was the younger brother of John Steven Meadows. Prior to the war, Loton was an artist by trade. He enlisted as a Private in Company D, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina on April 30, 1861 at the age of 19.

1st Muster for Loton

Loton was listed as present and accounted for through June of 1863. He was wounded during the first day of fighting at Gettysburg.

Muster Roll showing Loton was wounded on July 1, 1863

Initially it was reported that Loton had been killed in action on July 1, 1863. Sadly, this may have been a more merciful way for Loton to have died.

False Killed in Action Report for Loton

Following his injury, Loton was captured by Federal troops and sent to Fort McHenry, Maryland on July 6, 1863. He was then transferred to Fort Delaware, Maryland on October 15, 1863.

POW Roll showing Loton's transfer to Fort Delaware

Loton was released from Fort Delaware sometime at the end of October of 1864. He was exchanged on November 1, 1864.

POW Roll showing Loton was exchanged on Nov. 1, 1864

Sadly, Loton died on the way home after he was exchanged. Deplorable conditions in the Yankee prison surely had some effect on his health and probably led to his untimely death. Loton P. Meadows was only 22 years old at the time of his death. His burial location is not known at this time.

Due to the fact that John and Loton were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Loton:

Loton P. Meadows (1842 - 1864)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Rebecca Wheeler (1808 - 1862)

mother of Loton P. Meadows

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

father of Rebecca Wheeler

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

father of Martin Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

son of William Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Wilkins Stovall was born in Granville County, North Carolina on June 23, 1836. He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Prior to the Civil War, he was a farmer by trade. Wilkins enlisted as a Private in Company D, North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment on April 30, 1861 at the age of 25.

1st Muster for Wilkins

Wilkins only spent a year serving in the North Carolina 12th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to 3rd Lieutenant on May 1, 1862 and transferred to Company K, North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment.

Final Pay Voucher for Wilkins' service with the North Carolina 12th notating promotion

The biography of Wilkins Stovall will continue in the North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment's entry.

Here's my relation to Wilkins:

Wilkins Stovall (1836 - 1921)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

John Walker Stovall (1814 - 1899)

father of Wilkins Stovall

Wilkins Stovall (1785 - 1826)

father of John Walker Stovall

John Stovall (1736 - 1781)

father of Wilkins Stovall

John Bartholomew Stovall (1706 - 1781)

father of John Stovall

Josiah Stovall Sr. (1749 - 1798)

son of John Bartholomew Stovall

Rebecca Stovall (1772 - 1852)

daughter of Josiah Stovall Sr.

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Rebecca Stovall

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company K was recruited from Warren and Franklin Counties and enlisted in February and March of 1862. The Company tendered its service to the State of North Carolina and was mustered in as Captain Robert W. Alston's Company. It was officially assigned to the Regiment in March of 1862.

Clarence Ruffin Broadwell was born in Wake County, North Carolina in 1823. He is the husband of my 3rd cousin 5x removed, Nancy Ann Nowell. Nancy Ann Nowell had three brothers who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. They are Addison J., Jesse Robert, and Jeremiah James Nowell and have all been the focus of previous entries. Ruffin enlisted in Wake County, North Carolina on February 4, 1863 at the age of 39.

1st Muster Roll for Ruffin

He was listed as present and accounted for until he was captured near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on May 12, 1864.

Muster Roll Showing Ruffin's Capture

Ruffin was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland until he was transferred to Elmira Prison, New York on August 10, 1864.

POW Roll for Ruffin

Clarence Ruffin Broadwell died in Elmira Prison on November 10, 1864 from pneumonia.

POW Roll showing Ruffin's Death

He is buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery in Chemung County, New York. Ruffin was also featured in a previous entry regarding Elmira Prison.

Confederate Monument at Woodlawn National Cemetery

Here's my relation to Ruffin:

Clarence Ruffin Broadwell 1823-1864
husband of 3rd cousin 5x removed

Nancy Ann Nowell 1827-1873
Wife of Clarence Ruffin Broadwell

Willis W. Nowell 1806-1890
Father of Nancy Ann Nowell

James Nowell 1767-1830
Father of Willis W. Nowell

John Nowell 1736-1793
Father of James Nowell

James Martin Nowell 1682-
Father of John Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Sr. 1728-1777
Son of James Martin Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Son of Dempsey Nowell Sr.

Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

“The Perquimans Beauregards” Company F, North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment: Four Paternal Cousins

2013-02-19T21:11:00.009-05:00

Close-up of 1st National Flag of the Confederacy with North Carolina Sewn in Middle Star

"The Perquimans Beauregards" a/k/a Company F of the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment, was originally organized in Hertford, North Carolina on May 16, 1861. The following day, May 17, 1861, the Regiment was mustered into the service of the Confederate States of America. Initially, the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment was referred to as Singletary's Battalion due to the Regiment's first Commander, Lieutenant Colonel George B. Singletary. The Regiment completed its organization on September 28, 1861. It's men were recruited from Orange, Guilford, Jones, Perquimans, Wayne, Pitt, and Lenoir Counties.

Captain William Nixon

Captain William Nixon was responsible for organizing the Perquimans Beauregards. Prior to embarking for New Bern on July 19, 1861 on board the steamer Curlew, the Company had trained at Nixon's plantation. On the date the Regiment completed its organization, its ten Companies were spread across three different geographical locations. Companies A, B and G were stationed at Fort Macon, near present day Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Companies C, D, H, I and K were stationed at Camp Gatlin, near New Bern, North Carolina. The men from "The Perquimans Beauregards" a/k/a Company F, were stationed at Fort Ellis, right below New Bern, and were being trained as Artillerymen. After the fall of Roanoke Island, all the Companies were consolidated at Camp Gatlin. There the Perquimans Beauregards became a Company of Infantry.

1st National Flag of the Confederacy captured during the Battle of New Bern

On March 14, 1862, the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment took part in the Battle of New Bern, North Carolina. The Regiment was situated on the Confederate left near Fort Thompson. During the Battle, the North Carolina 27th was not heavily engaged due to most of the action taking place on Confederate Right and Confederate Center. Once the Confederate Center had collapsed, the North Carolina 27th's right flank was exposed to the enemy. The order was given for the Regiment to fall back, which it did "in tolerable order". The men retreated all the way to Kinston, North Carolina, a distance of more than 30 miles. The Regiment suffered 4 killed, 8 wounded, and 42 missing during the Confederate defeat. Following the defeat, the Regimental Commander, Lieutenant George B. Singletary, held new elections for all Officers. Captain William Nixon was not reelected. He returned home to Perquimans County where he served as Justice of the Peace until his death in 1897. Thomas D. Jones was elected as the Company's new Captain on April 22, 1862.

John Rogers Cooke

More changes for the Regiment were brought about in April of 1862. Major John Rogers Cooke was elected as the Regiment's new Colonel. Colonel Cooke would later be promoted to Brigadier General on November 1, 1862, following his actions during the Battle of Antietam. The Regiment was also assigned to Brigadier General Robert Ransom's Brigade.

After being briefly assigned to Ransom's Brigade, the Regiment stayed in Kinston, North Carolina until May 31, 1862, when they received orders to report to the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia. The North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment arrived in Richmond on June 1st and was sent to join Brigadier General John George Walker's Brigade at the Confederate Stronghold of Drewry's Bluff on the James River. The Unit saw limited action during the Seven Days Campaign and only suffered 20 men injured.

Van H. Manning

General John G. Walker was promoted to Division Command in August of 1862. On September 1, 1862, Walker's old Brigade, now under the command of Colonel Van H. Manning, of the Arkansas 3rd Infantry Regiment, joined the Army of Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia, where Robert E. Lee was preparing to cross the Potomac into Maryland. The North Carolina 27th, serving as rear guard, crossed the Potomac on September 8, 1862. A few days later on September 12th, the North Carolina 27th recrossed the Potomac to support General Stonewall Jackson in his attack on Harper’s Ferry. The Regiment was positioned atop Loudoun Heights to prevent an escape by the Federals at Harpers Ferry. After the capture of Harper's Ferry, the Unit rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 16th.

On September 17, 1862 during the Battle of Antietam, the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel John Rogers Cooke, saw extensive action in the area between "The Bloody Lane" and the Dunker Church. General Walker observed an attack made by Colonel Cooke in this vicinity and remarked:

“The 27th North Carolina and 3rd Arkansas obeyed the order to charge in the face of such fire as troops have seldom encountered without running away, and with steadiness and unfaltering gallantry seldom equalled. Battery after battery, regiment after regiment, opened fire on them, hurling a torrent of missles through their ranks, but nothing could arrest there progress, and three times the enemy broke and fled before their impetuious charge.”

Colonel Van Manning also received high marks in General John G. Walker's After Battle Report following the Battle of Antietam:

"Colonel Manning, with the 46th and 48th North Carolina and 30th Virginia, not content with possession of the woods, dashed forward in gallant style, crossed the open fields beyond, driving the enemy back before him like sheep, until, arriving at a long line of strong post and rail fences, behind which heavy masses of the enemies infantry were lying, their advance was checked, and it being impossible to climb these fences under such fire, these regiments, after suffering a heavy loss, were compelled to fall back..."

"Just before the falling back of these regiments, the gallant Colonel Manning was severely wounded and was compelled to leave the field, relinquishing the command of the brigade to the next rank, Colonel E.D. Hall, of the 46th North Carolina Regiment."

"...The division suffered heavily, particularly Manning's command (Walker's Brigade), which at one time sustained almost the whole fire of the enemies right wing. Going into the engagement, as it was necessary for us to do, to support the sorely pressed divisions of Hood and Early, it was, of course, impossible to make dispositions based upon careful reconnaissance of the localities. The post and rail fences stretching across the fields lying between us and the enemies position, I regard as the fatal obstacle to complete our success on the left, and success there would be, doubtless, have changed the fate of the day. Of the existence of this obstacle none of my division had any previous knowledge, and we learned it at the expense of many valuable lives."

During the Battle of Antietam, the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment suffered 203 killed and wounded out of the 325 effectives present before the battle. Following the Maryland Campaign, Colonel John Rogers Cooke was promoted to Brigadier General. His Brigade was comprised of the North Carolina 15th, 27th, 46th and 48th Infantry Regiments. I previously wrote about "The Tar River Rebels" a/k/a Company E of the North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment, in which five ancestors from my mother's side of the family served and The North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment, in which three ancestors from my mother's side of the family served.

On November 19, 1862, Cooke's Brigade arrived at Fredericksburg, Virginia where it was placed in a supporting position on Marye’s Heights and Willis’ Hill. On December 13th after repulsing the first wave of Federal attacks, General Cooke ordered the North Carolina 27th and 46th Infantry Regiments to move down the hill to a position behind the stone wall where they supported my 4th cousin 7x removed, Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb's Brigade for the remainder of the battle. Reported losses for the North Carolina 27th were 3 killed and 12 wounded. During the Battle, General Cooke was badly wounded when a bullet entered over his left eye and fractured his skull.

Confederate Dead behind the Stone Wall after the Battle of Fredericksburg

Following the Confederate victory at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Cooke's Brigade was ordered to South Carolina where it remained in defensive positions below Charleston at Coosahatchie until April 23, 1863. The Brigade was then sent to Kinston, North Carolina and then on to Richmond, Virginia, where it arrived on June 8, 1863. Cooke's Brigade did not take part in the Battle of Gettysburg, instead they remained in the defenses around Richmond. Following the Gettysburg Campaign, Cooke's Brigade rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia and was assigned to Major General Henry Heth's Division in Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill's Third Corps.

Cooke's Brigade joined the remainder of Heth's Division on October 3, 1863 on a line defending the Rapidan River. The Federal Army of the Potomac had moved into Virginia after Lee’s retreat from Pennsylvania and had occupied a line along the Rapidan and Rappahannock as far west as Culpeper Court House. General James Longstreet's First Corps had recently departed for Tennessee, where they were to aid General Braxton Bragg. That left only two Confederate Corps at Robert E. Lee's disposal, General Richard S. Ewell's Second Corps and General A. P. Hill's Third Corps.

A fight was brewing as Lee ordered both Corps to move on October 9, 1863. Their movements were screened by J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry. By this time, General George Gordon Meade commanded the Federal Army of the Potomac. Meade detected Lee's movements and responded by withdrawing his extended force back towards Manassas Junction. On October 13th, Hill's Corps moved toward Culpeper Court House and bivouacked just west of Warrenton, Virginia. As dawn broke on October 14th, Hill's Corps took up march and made their way to Greenwich, Virginia by 10:00am. There they overran a hastily abandoned Federal Camp.

Lieutenant James Graham of Company G, North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment recalled the scene:

“Throwing out skirmishers some 200 yards ahead we proceeded at a rapid pace, about double-quick, in pursuit of the foe. Guns, knapsacks, blankets, etc. strewn along the road showed that the enemy was moving in rapid retreat.”

The Federals were following the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and withdrawing rapidly back toward Manassas. The leading element of Hill's Corps made its way to the heights overlooking Bristoe Station on October 14, 1863. Hill's scouts observed the Federal II Corps crossing the Broad Run, north of the station. A substantial number of Federal Rear Guard stood halted near the bridge, offering Hill an opportunity for a Confederate surprise attack. Hill failed to notice the remaining element of Federal forces waiting to cross the creek due to a railroad embankment that was hiding them from view. This Federal force was comprised of four Brigades from the Federal II Corps. Three Batteries of Union Artillery also lay hidden in the wooded hills south of the railroad. Each Battery had a clear field of fire to their north.

Historical Marker for the Battle of Bristoe Station

Hill ordered Henry Heth's Divsion to move forward with the Brigades of Cooke and Kirkland leading the charge. The North Carolinians from the two Brigades had no idea that they were severely outnumbered as they made their way down the road leading to Bristoe Station. Suddenly the advancing Confederates were subjected to murderous artillery fire. The Federal strength behind the railroad embankment became known as severe musket fire began to also pour into the Confederate ranks. The Federals began to mount a counterattack against the right of Cooke's Brigade. This was quickly reported to Lieutenant General Hill. Hill peremptorily ordered Cooke's Brigade forward, ensuring that General H. H. Walker's Brigade would offer support.

As Cooke's Brigade advanced, line of battle from right to left consisted of the 46th, 15th, 27th and 48th North Carolina Infantry Regiments. The attacking Confederates were within full view of the awaiting Federals, who were still secured behind the railroad embankment. Federal artillery fire intensified as the North Carolinians advanced down the long slope. Union Infantrymen began to engage the right of Cooke's Brigade near the railroad. Cooke was wounded in the leg as he passed behind the North Carolina 27th. Confusion began to set in. The 27th was ordered to charge, double-quick, down the hill. As they did, men fell at every step. As the Brigade neared the railroad embankment, Federal soldiers began to appear from behind the fortification and pour volley after volley of musket fire into the Confederates. The 27th fell back. The men had been in a much further exposed position than the other two Regiments, having gone farther in the charge.

The support from Walker's Brigade didn't come as promised. Walker's men had not advanced as promptly as Hill had intended them to, instead they became lost in the dense woods. The lack of reinforcements prompted the Federals to intensify their attack on Cooke's right. Finally Cooke's Brigade began their retreat. What originally appeared as a promising opportunity suddenly made way into a bitter defeat in less than an hour and a half. Hill's haste in launching the attack coupled with his failure to effectively support the leading two Brigades resulted in heavy losses to his force and little consequential damage to the Federals.

The losses for the North Carolina 27th totaled 205 and included 30 men killed and 108 wounded, and 67 captured. Hill's total casualty number was approximately 1,380 compared to the Federal's 540. Following the battle, General Robert E. Lee remarked coldly to General Hill, “let us bury these poor men and say no more about the matter.” Hill's After Battle Reported ended with, “In conclusion, I am convinced that I made the attack too hastily…” Hill went on to say “…and at the same time that a delay of half an hour, and there would have been no enemy to attack. In that event I believe I should equally have blamed myself for not attacking at once.” The North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment spent the Winter on picket duty along the Rapidan and in camp near Orange Court House.

General Grant and Staff in the Field, Campaign in Virginia 1864

By May of 1864, Ulysses S. Grant had attached his headquarters to the Army of the Potomac. Although General Meade retained formal command, all orders now made their way through Grant himself. Grant's strategy now unraveled in his Overland Campaign against the Confederate Capital of Richmond. The series of battles raged from May through June of 1864. Grant's strength numbered nearly 120,000 Federals compared to Robert E. Lee's force of roughly 64,000 Confederates.

Battle of the Wilderness by Kurz and Allison

The North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment was warmly engaged during the Battle of the Wilderness, which took place on May 5 - 6, 1864. The area referred to as "The Wilderness" was a large area of undergrowth where part of the Battle of Chancellorsville had taken place just a year earlier. Lee used the densely wooded thicket to his advantage, effectively neutralizing the Unions advantage in numbers and artillery. Lee inflicted more numerical casualties on Grant's Federals, however due to the numerical size of Lee's Army and the losses compared, the Battle of the Wilderness is generally considered a draw. The North Carolina 27th suffered heavy casualties. Specifically, the Perquimans Beauregards suffered 14 killed and wounded.

Skulls Found After the Battle of The Wilderness, 1864

The aftermath of the Battle was something that neither force had ever seen before. Partial remains from men killed the previous year during the Battle of Chancellorsville had been overturned during the fighting. The same grim phenomena also appeared on the battlefield at Cold Harbor, Virginia, where two battles took place roughly two years apart.

In mid June, Hill's Corps were ordered to the defenses of Petersburg, Virginia. By the time the Unit participated in the Battle of Reams Station on August 25, 1864, an officer serving in the North Carolina 27th remarked that the Unit had dwindled down to about 70 effectives. The 27th endured the Siege of Petersburg until April 2, 1865 when the Army of Northern Virginia finally began their withdrawal. Cooke's Brigade was cut off from the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia, but finally rendezvoused with Robert E. Lee in time for his surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. When the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered on April 9, 1865, 117 members of the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment received paroles.

Four of my ancestors, all on my father's side, served in the Perquimans Beauregards a/k/a Company F of the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment.

Captain Benjamin Smith Skinner

Benjamin Smith Skinner was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina on December 24, 1839. He is my 3rd cousin 6x removed. Benjamin was a graduate from Harvard University. He enlisted in Hertford, North Carolina on May 16, 1861. He was appointed Sergeant.

Muster Roll Showing Benjamin's Enlistment

Benjamin was elected Lieutenant on April 22, 1862.

Muster Roll Showing Benjamin's Promotion

Benjamin's first cousin, also my 3rd cousin 6x removed, Major Tristram Lowther Skinner served in Company A, "the Albermarle Guards" North Carolina 1st Infantry Regiment. He mentioned Benjamin in a letter to his wife dated June 5, 1862, stating "It rained slightly at 1o'clock. At day bread I found myself within 30 feet of a dead horse which soon drove me away. Some 7,000 of us were crowded up in a field of moderate size & I found near me, Ben Skinner & his company. He was send off during the day to Drury's Bluff." Sadly Tristram would be killed at the Battle of Mechanicsville on July 26, 1862. Benjamin was wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg on September 17, 1862.

Muster Roll Showing Benjamin Was Wounded At Sharpsburg

Benjamin returned to duty and was elected Captain on November 5, 1863.

Roster showing Benjamin's Promotion To Captain

Benjamin took part in The Overland Campaign of 1864. The website http://underbothflags.ncdcr.gov/ states that he wrote of the stench of unburied dead on the battlefield, the condition of the men after a month of not changing clothes, and the rations of a quarter pound of meat and four crackers per day that the soldiers had to endure. Shortly before he was killed at the Battle of Reams Station south of Petersburg on August 25, 1864, he wrote "The greater our sufferings now, the more glorious will be our ultimate triumph." Captain Skinner was only 24 years old at the time of his death. He willed his personal property to the needy soldiers in his Company. He is buried in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hertford, Perquimans County, North Carolina.

Grave of Captain Benjamin Smith Skinner

Here's my relationship to Benjamin Smith Skinner:

Captain Benjamin Smith Skinner 1839-1864
3rd cousin 6x removed
Benjamin Smith Skinner 1793-1861
Father of Captain Benjamin Smith Skinner
Martha Ann Blount 1760-1832
Mother of Benjamin Smith Skinner
Mary Clayton 1725-1767
Mother of Martha Ann Blount
Henry Clayton 1685-1724
Father of Mary Clayton
John Clayton 1723-1769
Son of Henry Clayton
Sarah Clayton 1740-1784
Daughter of John Clayton
Edmond Stokes 1771-1828
Son of Sarah Clayton
Edmond Stokes Jr. 1810-1836
Son of Edmond Stokes
John Thomas Stokes 1830-1866
Son of Edmond Stokes Jr.
John Stokes 1850-1882
Son of John Thomas Stokes
Edward Stokes 1875-1961
Son of John Stokes
Selby Edward Stokes Sr. 1910-1997
Son of Edward Stokes
Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Selby Edward Stokes Sr.
Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III

Anderson White was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina on April 5, 1834. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. He enlisted as a Private in New Bern, North Carolina on September 5, 1861. He was 27 years old at the time of his enlistment.

1st Muster for Anderson

Anderson was listed as present or accounted for until he was captured at Bristoe Station, Virginia on October 14, 1863.

Muster Roll showing Anderson was missing since the Battle of Bristoe Station

He was originally confined at Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C. on October 15, 1864.

POW Roll showing Anderson's confinement at Old Capitol Prison

Anderson was then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland on October 27, 1863. Anderson was then transferred from Point Lookout to Aiken's Landing, James River, Virginia.

POW Roll showing Anderson's transfer from Point Lookout to Aiken's Landing

Anderson participated in a prisoner exchange at Aiken's Landing, Virginia on February 24, 1865.

POW Roll showing Anderson's exchange

Anderson White lived at least another 15 years following the end of the Civil War. He is found living in Bethel, Perquimans County, North Carolina in the 1880 Federal Census. No records of Anderson can be found after 1880. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to Anderson:

Anderson Morris White 1834-1880
2nd cousin 5x removed

Thomas Dempsey White 1810-1892
Father of Anderson Morris White

Dempsey White 1784-1829
Father of Thomas Dempsey White

Benjamin White 1744-1808
Father of Dempsey White

Thomas White 1771-1823
Son of Benjamin White

Joseph White 1796-1862
Son of Thomas White

Jonathan White 1829-1878
Son of Joseph White

Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Jonathan White

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

John W. White was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina in 1843. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. John enlsited as a Private in Perquimans County, North Carolina on May 1, 1864 for the duration of the war.

1st Muster for John

He was 21 years old at the time of his enlistment. John was listed as present or accounted for through December, 1864. John survived the war and lived at least an additional 35 years following the Civil War. He and his wife are found living in Newport News, Virginia in the 1900 Federal Census. No further records for John can be found. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to John:

John W. White 1843-1905
2nd cousin 5x removed

Charles White 1811-1881
Father of John W. White

John White 1773-1848
Father of Charles White

Benjamin White 1744-1808
Father of John White

Thomas White 1771-1823
Son of Benjamin White

Joseph White 1796-1862
Son of Thomas White

Jonathan White 1829-1878
Son of Joseph White

Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Jonathan White

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Theophilus White was born in Bethel, Perquimans County, North Carolina in 1840. He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed. Theophilus enlisted as a Private in Company F, North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment in Hertford, Perquimans County on May 16, 1861 at the age of 21.

1st Muster for Theophilus

Theophilus was listed as being present and accounted for through May - June of 1862. On May 1, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Muster Roll showing Theophilus was promoted to Sergeant

On October 14, 1863, Theophilus was captured by Federal forces at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia.

Muster Roll showing Theophilus was captured at Bristoe Station

Following his capture, Theophilus was sent to the Old Capitol Prison in Washington D.C. on October 15, 1863.

POW Roll showing Theophilus was confined to Old Capitol Prison

On October 28, 1863, Theophilus was transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he would remain until February of 1865.

POW Roll showing Theophilus was transferred to Point Lookout

On February 24, 1865, Theophilus was released from Point Lookout and sent to Aiken's Landing, Virginia where he would participate in an exchange of prisoners.

POW Roll showing Theophilus was exchanged

Theophilus returned to the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment in early March of 1865. He was officially paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina on May 1, 1865.

Parole for Theophilus

After the war, Theophilus White returned home to Perquimans County where he resumed farming. He lived at least an additional 15 years following the end of the Civil War. The last record of Theophilus is the 1880 Federal Census where he and his family are found living in Bethel Township, Perquimans County. The Theophilus White house was destroyed in the 1970's, however a large portion of the interior was saved and is now on display at the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. His burial location is not know at this time.

Here's my relation to Theophilus:

Theophilus White 1840-1880
3rd cousin 5x removed
Theophilus White 1774-1854
Father of Theophilus White
Jacob White 1752-1816
Father of Theophilus White
Joshua White 1726-1784
Father of Jacob White
Thomas "Isle of Wight" White 1696-1761
Father of Joshua White
Benjamin White 1744-1808
Son of Thomas "Isle of Wight" White
Thomas White 1771-1823
Son of Benjamin White
Joseph White 1796-1862
Son of Thomas White
Jonathan White 1829-1878
Son of Joseph White
Joseph Thomas White 1860-1910
Son of Jonathan White
Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White 1892-1985
Daughter of Joseph Thomas White
Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" White
Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes
Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III

Company F, Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry: Ordnance Sergeant Jacob Washington Nowell, my 1st cousin 5x removed

2013-02-11T18:18:00.002-05:00

Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his Calvary by Don Troiani

Colonel William Lafayette Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry was originally organized in April of 1862. The Regiment was organized when six original Companies from Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Logwood's 6th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion merged with Colonel William Hicks Jackson's 1st Tennessee Cavalry.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Logwood's 6th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion was organized in July of 1861. The unit was comprised of men from Haywood, Fayette, Tipton, and Shelby counties. Originally the unit served in the Western Department. A detachment of the unit fought at the Battle of Belmont, Missouri in November of 1861. They later saw action in Tennessee and Kentucky before being reorganized. William Lafayette Duckworth served as Lieutenant of the 6th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion before eventually being promoted to Colonel of the consolidated 7th Tennessee Cavalry in 1863.

William Hicks "Red" Jackson

Colonel William Hicks "Red" Jackson graduated from The United States Military Academy at Westpoint in 1856 and was breveted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army before he resigned his commission on May 16, 1861 to serve his home State of Tennessee in the Confederate Army. Jackson was originally appointed as Captain of an Artillery Regiment before being appointed as Colonel of the 1st Tennessee Cavalry in early 1862. He served as Chief of Cavalry under John C. Pemberton, Earl Van Dorn, and then Sterling Price.

On April 1, 1862, although only partially organized, the Regiment, along with Colonel Pickett's 21st Tennessee Infantry was attacked by Federal Forces at Union City, Tennessee. Twelve wagons were lost and the entire camp was burned. It was a tough, early lesson for one of the South's premier Cavalry Regiments. Following the rout, Colonel Jackson withdrew his Regiment to Trenton, Tennessee where he set out to train and better organize the men.

The Regiment redeemed itself on May 5, 1862, when Five Companies under the command of Captain John Goff Ballentyne of Company C attacked and routed Three Companies of the 5th Iowa Cavalry at Lockridge Mill near Dresden, Tennessee. It was one of the few occasions where the fighting took place with sabres as the primary weapon. Captain Ballentyne particularly distinguished himself in the brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Captain J .G. Ballentyne

For the remainder of May, the 1st Tennessee Cavalry covered the Confederate Army's retreat from West Tennessee. On June 10, 1862, the Regiment was officially organized at Abbeville, Mississippi by the order of Brigadier General John Bordenave Villepigue. A few weeks later, they would be designated as the 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment.

The 7th Tennessee Cavalry made several brief excursions into Western Tennessee in late June of 1862. It was commended for "a well planned and soldierly execution of an expedition within the enemy lines, led by Colonel Jackson, and resulting in the capture of a Federal colonel and 56 men, and the destruction of a locomotive and a train of cars near La Fayette Station, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad on June 25." The 7th Tennessee Cavalry also routed a Federal wagon train in the same area on June 30th and participated in a brief raid under Colonel Joseph Wheeler (no relation) in early July.

Brigadier General F. C. Armstrong

The Regiment was then placed in Brigadier General Frank Crawford Amrstrong's Brigade along with the 1st Mississippi and 1st Missouri Cavalry Regiments. Armstrong had previously served as a Captain in the U. S. Army. He led a Company of Union Cavalry at the First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas in June of 1861 before resigning his commission and joining the Confederate Army on August, 10, 1861.

On August 30, 1862, General Armstrong led a force of about 2,600 Confederates into West Tennessee. There he encountered a mixed force of Federals at Middleburg. The Confederates forced the Federals to retreat into their works at Bolivar, Tennessee. During this confrontation, the 7th Tennessee Cavalry operated as dismounted skirmishers on the Confederate right and suffered no serious casualties. The following day, Armstrong's command moved north along the railroad where they captured a few Union outposts. Armstrong's Brigade encountered ten companies of Federal Infantry at Medon, Tennessee. The Brigade made an unsuccessful attack in which the 7th Tennessee Cavalry suffered heavily. As Armstrong's Brigade moved toward Denmark, Tennessee on September 1st, they encountered a small Regiment of Federal Infantry along with a section of supporting Artillery at Britton's Lane. General Armstrong decided to attack the well placed Federals and ordered the 7th to dismount their horses and charge the Federal position. The 7th Tennessee Cavalry charged into murderous fire across a cornfield and eventually took two Federal guns that were later abandoned when Federal reinforcements arrived. Now severely outnumbered, the Confederates crossed the Hatchie River and withdrew back into Mississippi.

Battle of Corinth, Currier and Ives 1862

The next major engagement in which the 7th Tennessee Cavalry took part in was the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi. This battle took place between October 3 - 4, 1862. During the Battle of Corinth, the 7th Tennessee was attached to the 1st Division of the District of the Mississippi, commanded by Major General Mansfield Lovell. Colonel Jackson commanded a Brigade comprised of the 7th Tennessee and the 1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiments. Although Jackson and his men performed capably, the Federals took the upper hand. Poor senior leadership was thought to have been the difference. The 7th was again routed on November 8th when a large Federal force surprised them at Lamar, Mississippi. The Union Cavalry vigorously attacked the confused Confederates and split their force. Several Confederate Cavalrymen were captured, including Captain Taliaferro of Company D. The captured men were soon exchanged. The men of the 7th vowed to never let such an embarrassment happen again.

For the remainder of 1862, the 7th Tennessee Cavalry performed a series of rear guard actions against the advancing Federal Army. They learned to operate more effectively under fire and fall back in good order. On December 20, 1862, Major General Earl Van Dorn led a group of approximately 2,500 Confederate Cavalrymen, including the 7th Tennessee, in a raid on the Federal supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi.

Major General Earl Van Dorn

General Van Dorn's raid severely interrupted Ulysses S. Grant's overland campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi. After riding about 100 miles in less than two days, the Confederates under Van Dorn took the Federal Garrison by surprise on the morning of the 20th. 1,500 Federals soldiers were captured and roughly $1.5 million worth of Federal supplies were destroyed, causing Grant to abandon his overland campaign against Vicksburg. This achievement boosted the confidence of the 7th and proved to the men that when properly led, they could make a decisive difference in battle.

The coming of the year 1863 brought many changes to the 7th Tennessee Cavalry. Colonel William Hicks Jackson had been promoted to Brigadier General on December 29, 1862 and was assigned a command in Middle Tennessee under Major General Van Dorn. Company A accompanied Jackson to Middle Tennessee as his escort. Lieutenant Colonel John G. Stocks was promoted to Colonel, but soon resigned due to illness. Major William Lafayette Duckworth, formerly of Company D, assumed command. For the remainder of the War, the 7th Tennessee Cavalry would be referred to as Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry. Duckworth was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by a "complimentary order for gallantry on the field." Companies B and C were detached for special service while the remaining Companies were brigaded with the 2nd Arkansas and 2nd Missouri Cavalry Regiments and placed under the command of Brigadier General James Ronald Chalmers, a former Infantry Brigade Commander.

Brigadier General James Ronald Chalmers

In June of 1863, General Chalmers and his men marched to the Mississippi River to disrupt the movement of Federal transports that were bound for Vicksburg. On June 19th they encountered a force of Federal Cavalry just south of Hernando, Mississippi and routed it. Several Federal soldiers and most of their equipment were captured during this engagement. General Chalmers specifically commended the 7th Tennessee Cavalry for excellent marksmanship with their 1851 Colt Navy Revolvers. The 7th Tennessee spent the remainder of the Summer drilling and scouting in North Mississippi and West Tennessee.

An inspection report of Chalmers command dated August 20, 1863 found "the command generally is not in good condition. All the troops with the exception of the 7th Tennessee are indifferently armed." On September 10, General Chalmers ordered "On account of reduced numbers, the 7th Tennessee Cavalry and the 18th Mississippi Partisans Battalion will act together in case of an engagement." On October 22nd, the 7th Tennessee reported only 210 effectives.

The 7th Tennessee spent the Fall of 1863 raiding enemy lines along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. On October 11th, Chalmer's Brigade surprised the Federal Garrison at Collierville, Tennessee. A train carrying Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was at the post at the time of the raid. Sherman and his party had to take cover in the depot. Federal reinforcements from a nearby fort began to respond to the attack. Several boxcars were burned before the Confederates were forced to withdraw. On November 10, 1863, Lieutenant Colonel William Lafayette Duckworth was commissioned Colonel of the Regiment.

On November 23, 1863, Major General Stephen Dill Lee, commander of the Cavalry of the Department of Mississippi & Eastern Louisiana, advised General Chalmers: "Brigadier General [Nathan Bedford] Forrest has been assigned to the Command in West Tennessee, to organize such troops as he can. I think it best that Duckworth's Regiment go with him to recruit, and return when full to your command."

General Nathan Bedford Forrest

Nathan Bedford Forrest had experienced a meteoric rise through the ranks of the Confederate Army. He had originally enlisted as a Private in Captain Josiah White's Company E "Tennessee Mounted Rifles" on July 14, 1861. This was quite unusually for someone like Forrest who came from the wealthy planter society. Governor of Tennessee and my 1st cousin 6x removed, Isham Green Harris, caught wind of his enlistment and commissioned him as a Lieutenant Colonel and authorized him to raise a Battalion of Confederate Mounted Rangers. In October of 1861 he was given command of Forrest's Cavalry Corps.

Forrest distinguished himself for bravery and valor in February of 1862 at the Battle of Fort Donelson, where he led a charge that broke through the Federal offensive that captured over 12,000 Confederate troops. He also commanded the Confederate Rear Guard after the Battle of Shiloh. In the battle of Fallen Timbers, he drove through the Union skirmish line. Not realizing that the rest of his men had halted their charge when reaching the full Union Brigade, Forrest charged the Brigade single-handily, and found himself surrounded. He emptied his Colt Army revolvers into the swirling mass of Federal soldiers and pulled out his saber and commenced hacking and slashing. A Union infantryman fired a musket ball into Forrest's back with a point-blank shot, nearly knocking him out of the saddle. Forrest grabbed another unsuspecting Union soldier, hauled him onto his horse to use as a shield, dumped the man once he had broken clear and was out of range, then galloped back to his men. A surgeon removed the musket ball a week later, without anesthesia, which was unavailable at the time.

Fight at Fallen Timbers by Mort Kuntsler

He was promoted to Brigadier General in July of 1862 and given command of a Confederate Cavalry Brigade. In December of 1862, his veteran men we reassigned by General Braxton Bragg to another command. This was the beginning of a very uneasy relationship between Bragg and Forrest. Armed with nearly 2,000 new recruits, Forrest led many small scale operations against the Federals until April of 1863 when he and his command returned to the Regular Army. In September Forrest and his men participated in the Battle of Chickamauga. Following the Confederate victory, he pursued the Union Army and took hundreds of prisoners. He urged Bragg for an immediate follow up attack to recapture Federal occupied Chattanooga. After Bragg's failure to do so Forrest was quoted as saying "What does he fight battles for?" During a heated confrontation, Forrest reportedly threatened Bragg's life. Following the confrontation, Bragg reassigned him to an independent command in Mississippi. On December 4, 1863, Forrest was promoted to the rank of Major General.

During the Winter of 1864, Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry was placed in Brigade under the command of General Forrest's brother, Colonel Jeffrey E. Forrest.

Jeffrey E. Forrest

In February of 1864, a Federal expedition force under the command of Brigadier General William Sooy Smith left Memphis and was advancing toward the prairie region of Mississippi. By this time it was now part of the Union strategy to make war on the civilian population. Rumors of Yankee deprivations began to swirl in the Confederate Camps. Smith's Federal force made it as far as West Point, Mississippi before they began to withdraw. Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry was the first Confederate unit to strike Smith. They engaged the Federals and the fighting continued into Okolona, Mississippi.

On February 22nd, the Federals rallied and charged the Confederates. Duckworth's 7th Tennessee, being in the lead of the Confederate force, bore the brunt of the attack. Instead of meeting the enemy in a mounted engagement, the 7th Tennessee dismounted and waited for the Federals to come within musket fire reach. Duckworth and his men poured murderous musket fire into the advancing enemy Cavalry. The Federals broke their line and were driven back in confusion. General Forrest was with the 7th at the time of the Federal attack and was responsible for ordering the counterattack. The 7th Tennessee drove the enemy from the field and captured a small Artillery Battery. The victory was costly for Forrest, his brother Colonel Jeffrey E. Forrest, was shot in the neck and killed during the battle. The 7th Tennessee led the pursuit of the retreating Federals, who fell back in disarray to Memphis.

In a post battle report Forrest wrote:

"I desire to testify of my appreciation of the skill and ability of Colonels McCulloch, Russell and Duckworth as Brigade commanders. Colonel Duckworth took command of Colonel Jeffrey E. Forrest's brigade when Colonel Forrest fell on the 22nd."

With the Federal Army temporarily at bay, Forrest moved into West Tennessee and established his headquarters at Jackson. On March 22, 1864, Forrest ordered Colonel Duckworth and the 7th Tennessee to capture Union City, Tennessee while Forrest and the main body of the Confederate force moved on toward Paducah, Kentucky.

Nathan Bedford Forrest

Union City, Tennessee was defended by the 7th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, a Union force comprised of men who had been recruited from the same geographical area as Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalary. The determination to defeat these "tories" was strengthened by a personal challenge from Forrest himself. Duckworth and his men found Union City heavily fortified. On March 24, 1864, Colonel Duckworth made a strategic decision to bluff the Federal Garrison into surrender. He accomplished this by mounting a log on wagon wheels to resemble Artillery. Duckworth's men then began sounding bugle calls to give the impression that Forrest's entire force was arriving. The commander of the Federal Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Robert Hawkins, requested to meet with Forrest himself. Duckworth sent another dispatch in Forrest's name explaining that he was not in the habit of "meeting officers of inferior rank", but would send Colonel Duckworth, under his authority to arrange the terms of surrender. The bluff worked and Hawkins surrendered his post along with 700 Federal soldiers, 300 horses and scores of supplies. Unknown to Hawkins, a force of roughly 2,000 Federal reinforcements only six miles away were marching to his aid.

Brigadier General Chalmers after battle report stated:

Hdqrs. First Div., Forrest's Cav. Dept. - Oxford, Miss. April 20, 1864

Soldiers: It is with pride and pleasure that I review the part taken by the soldiers of this division in this decisive campaign. Colonel Duckworth, of the Seventh Tennessee, by a successful ruse at Union City made the enemy believe that Maj. General Forrest was present , and compelled the surrender of the place by Hawkins and his regiment of renegade Tennesseeans, with all their arms, horses, and equipment.

James R. Chalmers, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

In early June of 1864, Federal General Samuel Sturgis left Memphis with approximately 10,000 Union troops on a mission to deal with "That Devil Forrest". Duckworth's 7th Tennessee was briefly placed into a Brigade with the 18th Mississippi Battalion under the command of Colonel E. V. Rucker. On June 10th, Forrest struck a blow to the Sturgis' Federals at Brice's Crossroads, near Baldwyn, Mississippi. As soon as Rucker's Brigade entered the field of battle, they were ordered to dismount and charge the Federal position across a muddy field. As the Brigade charged, they were met with heavy volleys of enemy fire. Initially they were repulsed with heavy losses before reforming and continuing the attack. Under heavy fire, the 7th Tennessee dragged the enemy's defenses out of the way and began pouring in through the exposed gap. Fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued with the Union soldiers. Pistols came into play and rifle butts were used as clubs in some of the most desperate fighting the Regiment would ever encounter. The Federal line finally gave way and retreated. Forrest then attacked with his entire force driving the Federals back to Tishomingo Creek, where their retreat turned into a rout. Forrest's mobility and superior tactics help his force of 3,500 Confederate defeat the vast superior Federal numbers of General Sturgis' 8,500 men.

The Battle of Brice's Crossroads was Forrest's greatest victory of the Civil War. Not only had his force succeeded in routing a much larger Federal force, but Forrest had also captured 16 artillery pieces, 176 wagons and 1,500 stands of small arms. Forrest's casualties numbered 96 men killed and 396 wounded. Casualties on the Union side were much worse, 223 killed, 394 wounded and 1,623 men missing.

One month later, Federals under General A. J. Smith, again tried to deal with "That Devil Forrest". Forrest's men attacked the Union line at Harrisburg, just west of Tupelo, Mississippi. This time with much different results than those at Brice's Crossroads. This time the Federals were ready. A series of poorly orchestrated attacks by the Confederates were easily repulsed. Colonel Rucker was wounded twice and the 7th Tennessee lost 74 men killed or wounded. General Forrest was also wounded in the foot. Smith was forced to retreat back to Memphis, but his force was practically unscathed.

Duckworth's 7th Tennessee recuperated with the rest of Forrest's force near Okolona, Mississippi. In early August of 1864, the Federals commanded by General A. J. Smith moved toward Oxford. The 7th Tennessee, along with the rest of Chalmers' Division moved out of their camp to meet them. Although severely outnumbered, the Confederates contested every inch of ground but were forced to retreat south of Oxford. There Forrest arrived with the rest of his command, but sensing Smith was reluctant to move further south, he took part of his men on a daring raid into Memphis.

Forrest's Memphis Raid

Duckworth's 7th Tennessee did not accompany Forrest on his raid in Memphis, but rather stayed behind in Oxford to keep the Federals in check. Smith's Federals managed to capture Oxford before he got word that Forrest was safe in Memphis. Smith ordered that the town be burned to the ground. Once again "The Wizard of the Saddle" had humiliated him.

General Forrest reorganized his Corps in early September of 1864. Duckworth's 7th Tennessee was placed in a Brigade along with other Tennessee Regiments under Colonel Rucker. Some of the Colonels including Duckworth and Neely of the 13th Tennessee, disapproved Rucker's appointment, believing they should have been placed in command. When they refused to follow Forrest's order, he had them arrested and dismissed from their Regiments. Lieutenant Colonel Taylor took command of the 7th Tennessee for the remainder of the war.

Jacob Washington Nowell was born near Wellwood, in Haywood County, Tennessee on September 30, 1839. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Jacob enlisted as an Ordnance Sergeant in Company F, Duckworth's 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment on November 4, 1861. He was 22 years old.

Jacob was captured sometime during the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place between May 18 - July 4, 1863. Jacob was part of the large Confederate force of nearly 30,000 men that were captured during the Siege. Most of the Confederate Prisoners of War were exchanged on July 6th and received back into the Confederate Army as early as August 4, 1863.

List showing Jacob was captured at Vicksburg

Jacob received formal Parole in Memphis, Tennessee on May 20, 1865.

Report showing Jacob's Parole

Following the War, Jacob returned to his home in Haywood County, Tennessee, where he lived until sometime after the 1870 Federal Census. By 1880, Jacob and his family had moved from Tennessee and relocated to Faulkner County, Arkansas. Jacob Washington Nowell lived an additional 39 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Faulkner County, Arkansas on October 23, 1904 at the age of 65. He is buried in the Cypress Valley Cemetery in Faulkner County, Arkansas.

Grave of Jacob Washington Nowell

Closeup of Grave of Jacob Washington Nowell

Here's my relation to Jacob:

Jacob Washington Nowell 1839-1904
1st cousin 5x removed

Dempsey Nowell III 1802-1852
Father of Jacob Washington Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Father of Dempsey Nowell III

Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Captain Stanford's Battery, Mississippi Light Artillery: Private John Pipkin Nowell, my 1st cousin 5x removed

2013-02-05T19:40:00.003-05:00

Flag of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk's Corps, Army of Mississippi

Captain Stanford's Battery of the Mississippi Light Artillery completed its organization on May 17, 1861. It was mustered into the service of the Confederate States of America on November 6, 1861 in Yalobusha County, Grenada, Mississippi. About that time, the Battery received their first two Artillery Pieces, Two Twelve-Pounder Howitzers. The Battery was ordered to Columbus, Kentucky on November 7, 1861 and was attached to the Army of Mississippi, under the command of my 5th cousin 4x removed Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk. The Battery remained in Columbus, Kentucky until the evacuation and retreat to Cornith, Mississippi, which began on March 1, 1862.

Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk a/k/a "The Fighting Bishop"

General Polk was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 10, 1806. Prior to the Civil War, he was a successful Planter in Maury County, Tennessee during the 1830's. In 1841, he was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, thus earning him the nickname "The Fighting Bishop." Bishop Polk was also the leading founder for the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Polk was killed in action on June 14, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign when a Federal 3 inch Artillery shell struck his left arm, went through his chest, exited hitting his right arm before it exploded against a tree. According to witnesses, General Polk was nearly cut in two.

6 Pounder

3" Ordnance Rifle

12 Pound Howitzer

While in Cornith, Mississippi, the Battery became fully equipped with Two 12-Pounder Howitzers, Two 6-Pounders, One 3" Ordnance Rifle and the appropriate number of horses required to pull them. Although the men were able to train with the guns, they weren't able to actually fire them until early April of 1862.

After the reorganization of General Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of Tennessee in early 1862, the Battery was attached to Brigadier General Alexander P. Stewart's Brigade in Major General Charles Clark's First Division.

The Battery took part in the bloody Battle of Shiloh, which took place from April 6 - 7 of 1862. During the battle, Captain Stanford's Mississippi Light Artillery was the only Mississippi organization under the command of future Governor of Mississippi, Charles Clark. General Clark was wounded early during the Battle and was replaced by General Stewart.

Major General Charles Clark

General Polk reported that due to the scarcity of ammunition, before going in to battle on April 6th, Captain Stanford's men had actually never fired their guns, but "they fought with the steadiness and gallantry of well-trained troops." As was the case for most Artillery Units early in the war, Captain Stanford was left to find his own position on the field and work where he was deemed most needed. He found a Federal Battery in action and opened upon and silenced it at a distance of 600 yards.

The Bloody Battle of Shiloh

During the fighting on April 6th that compelled the surrender of Union General Prentiss' Federal Division from the "Hornet's Nest", Confederate General Daniel Ruggles brought up Colonel Robert Trabue's 4th Kentucky and Captain Stanford's Mississippi Light Artillery to oppose a Federal column that was advancing and gaining ground. According to General Ruggles:

"when the conflict was at its height these batteries opened upon the Federals' concentrated forces, producing immediate commotion, and soon returned in the precipitate retreat of the enemy from the contest. At this moment the Second Brigade and the Crescent Regiment pressed forward and cut off a considerable portion of the enemy, who surrendered."

On April 7th, Captain Stanford and his gunners were sent to support a column of Infantry commanded by General John Cabell Breckinridge. The Battery engaged a Federal Battery at a range of some 500 yards. Although Breckinridge's charge failed, Captain Stanford and his men held their position until they were almost completely surrounded. Stanford then brought off as much of the Battery as he could. The Battery's persistent stand enabled the Infantry to rally before falling into a complete rout.

Captain Stanford's Battery of Mississippi Light Artillery had 131 men engaged in the Battle of Shiloh. The Battery suffered 4 killed or mortally wounded, 14 wounded and 2 men captured. The Battery also lost Four guns, which were later recaptured, but had to be left on the field due to there not being enough horses to draw them away.

Below is Captain T. J. Stanford's Report that followed the Battle of Shiloh:

Report of Capt. T. J. Stanford, Mississippi Battery.

CAMP, NEAR CORINTH, MISS., April 10, 1862. I have the honor to report that, owing to the fact that there were no distinct roads through the woods, and the undergrowth being quite thick, I found it quite impossible to follow the course taken by the brigade on the morning of the 6th sufficiently fast to keep in position; consequently soon found my command entirely disconnected. Left to my own judgment, I determined to advance in the direction of the enemy as indicated by the firing. I soon found myself in front of one of their batteries, which opened fire upon us at a distance of about 600 yards. My guns were placed in position as soon as possible in the face of a fire that was telling both on men and horses with terrible effect. In about fifteen minutes their firing ceased, and I was gratified to know that an infantry regiment very soon took possession of it without firing a gun. Subsequently during the day I occupied positions under orders from Gen.'s Beauregard, Ruggles, and others.

On Monday morning (the 7th), while awaiting orders from you, orders were received from Gen. Beauregard to advance to the support of a column commanded by Gen. Breckinridge.

About 11 a.m. a battery, which had been firing all the morning and up to this time I had supposed to be one of our own, opened fire upon us. After assuring myself that they were certainly our enemy, I opened upon
them with solid shot and spherical case at a range of 500 yards. The cannonading continued about thirty minutes, they changing their position once during the time.

At this juncture Gen. Breckinridge moved forward his column with a view of capturing the battery. The charge was a gallant one. The men, promptly answering the call of their leaders, went forward with a shout.
They met with a check, however, from the enemy, who were lying in ambush in numbers not less than 3,000 strong. When I saw the command of Gen. Breckinridge retiring, I gave orders for canister to be brought forward, and prepared to give them a warm reception. This we did as soon as their front was unmasked, and for thirty minutes we held them in check, their ranks broken and wavering in many places, showing plainly that but a little better support from infantry, which was not given us, would have sufficed to have routed them completely. At no time was the distance more than 300 yards, and this was reduced to 50 yards when the last gun was discharged. A part of the time they filed passed in four ranks, with the intention of flanking us. It was then the grape had the most terrible effect upon them. Large gaps were made by every gun at each discharge. Three regimental flags being in full view, I gave orders to point at them, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing two of them fall to the ground, both being raised again. One was again cut down. Being hard pressed, and almost surrounded by their large force, I determined to withdraw my command, or such part of it as I could move. My horses being nearly all killed, I could only bring away two pieces, leaving four upon the field. These, however, we did not abandon till the last moment, making them pay dearly for their purchase. The effect of my determined stand, after all support had left me, though disastrous to my immediate command, was certainly beneficial to our common cause, as it gave commanders of infantry regiments time to rally their forces before getting into a complete rout. This I saw at a glance, and determined, if need be, to sacrifice my battery.

Our losses were 4 killed, 14 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners; also about 60 horses, most of which were killed.

The officers and privates in my command acted with much bravery and deliberation. Where all did so well it would be improper to make distinctions.

Lieut.'s McSwine, Hardin, Trotter, and McCall all participated in the two days' fight, and gave me efficient aid in the management and firing of the pieces, frequently pointing and ranging them in person.

To Lieut. Dunlap, temporarily attached to my command, I am indebted for valuable services during the battle. He showed himself equal to the occasion.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

T. J. STANFORD,
Cmdg. Stanford's Battery.

Following the Battle of Shiloh, General P. G. T. Beauregard, who replaced the deceased General Albert Sidney Johnston as the commander of the Army of Tennessee, moved the Army to the railroad depot near Cornith, Mississippi. During the Siege of Cornith, which took place from April 29 - May 29, 1862, the Battery was re-fitted with Four 3" Brass Cannons. On May 30, 1862, the Confederates withdrew from Cornith and moved south to Tupelo, Mississippi.

After their retreat to Tupelo, Mississippi, the Battery set out on the march to Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 23rd. They arrived at Chattanooga on August 7th, just in time for another reorganization on August 18th. This reorganization allowed Captain Stanford to maintain command of the Battery, however the Battery was now attached to Brigadier General Alexander P. Stewart's Brigade, Major General Benjamin Franklin Cheatham's Division of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk's Right Wing of the Army of Mississippi, now commanded by Major General Braxton Bragg, who had taken command in June.

Stanford's Battery followed General Bragg's Army into Kentucky where they were involved in the capture of Federal soldiers at Munfordville on September 17, 1862. The Battery was heavily engaged during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky on October 8, 1862, where a single shot by a distant Federal Battery killed one and mortally wounded two other men from Stanford's Battery.

The Unit was also engaged in the Battle of Murfreesboro also known as the Battle of Stones River which was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863.

General Rosecrans rallies his troops at Stones River. Kurz and Allison (1891).

Of all the major engagements of the Civil War, the Battle of Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. On December 31st, Captain Stanford was employed under the immediate command of General Polk to fire on a Federal Battery that was pestering an advancing column of Confederate Infantry. The Battery advanced as far as the Cowan House on the Nashville Pike and gave cover fire to the Confederate advance. This manuever by Stanford exposed his Battery to heavy Federal fire, which in turn killed two of his gunners.

On January 1, 1863, Captain Stanford's Battery was posted near the Railroad, where they went into action on January 2nd to assist with the attack by General Brekinridge at Four o' clock in the evening. Captain Stanford was instructed to open fire on the left of the woods, to draw fire from the Battery's right. "This I evidently succeeded in doing" Stanford reported. "They turned all their batteries on me, producing a concentration of shot and shell such as I have ever witnessed." The Artillery forces that Union General William S. Rosecrans massed to repel the attack by Confederate General Breckinridge was the greatest known to that time during the War in the Western Theater, and was only equalled by the Artillery battle earlier in December of 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. This massing of Artillery caused Bragg's forces to withdraw from the field.

Total casualties in the Battle of Stones River were 24,645: 12,906 on the Union side and 11,739 for the Confederates. Considering that only about 76,400 men were engaged, this was the highest percentage of killed and wounded of any major battle in the Civil War. Captain Stanford's Battery suffered only 3 killed, 4 wounded, and 7 horses killed during the battle.

Below is Captain Stanford's Report that followed the Battle of Stones River:

Report of Capt. T. J. Stanford, Mississippi Battery.

CAMP NEAR SHELBYVILLE, TENN.,
January 12, 1863.

On Monday morning, December 29, 1862, the battery moved from the camp, 1 miles west of Murfreesborough, to its position, with the brigade, in line of battle on the west side of Stone's River, in rear of Mrs. James' house. Here we remained all day, nothing of interest occurring, and the monotony disturbed only by an occasional shot from the rifle batteries of the enemy passing over us.

On Tuesday morning heavy skirmishing commenced on our left, and was kept up with but little intermission during the day, and, though we did not participate in the fight until evening, the battery was more exposed to random shots than on the previous day. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon an order was received to send two of my pieces to the left, to assist in dislodging the enemy from a certain point. Accordingly, I dispatched Lieut. Hardin with the first section, who promptly went forward to perform the duty. After an absence of about an hour the section returned but without its leader. Lieut. Hardin, after having performed the object of his mission, and withdrawn the section with the view of rejoining us, was suddenly killed by a cannon shot. A gallant officer, a true soldier, and a Christian gentleman, he adds another to the long list of martyrs who have given their lives to their country's cause. Private M. Hartsfield received a painful but not dangerous flesh wound in this engagement.

On Wednesday morning about 9 o'clock I moved in rear of the brigade, on the road leading through the wood on our left, and while moving received an order from Gen. Polk to take position in the old field on the right of the Wilkinson pike, and support Capt. [O. W.] Barret's battery. This field, you will recollect, is the one extending to the enemy's lines, and, being for the most part level, his works covered and his guns swept every foot of the ground. Here I remained during the day, changing position only as circumstances required, or the retreating enemy invited to follow. Several times during the day the fire of the battery had a telling effect upon their lines of infantry, which were plainly to be seen. At one time they occupied a strong position in front of the little log-house (daubed with red mud), and held in check our forces, who had to march across an open flat of ground to attack them. Arriving in position in time to observe the enemy and the repulse of our forces at the same time, I threw a few well-directed shots into their ranks, which caused them to retreat precipitately. Our lines immediately advanced, occupied the position, and continued to drive them. Again, later in the afternoon, I advanced as far as the Cowan or burnt brick house, on the Nashville pike, from which point although exposed to a galling fire from their batteries, we succeeded in pouring a very destructive fire into their ranks, causing them to give back from several points, and materially aiding our infantry in their advance. Here we lost 2 men and several horses killed and one limber disabled. All day we were under fire from their batteries, until late in the evening, when we were ordered to resume our original position.

On Thursday morning I moved to a position on the Nashville pike, at the point where the railroad crosses that road, and remained all day and part of the following night without firing a gun. Indeed, there was no fighting and but little skirmishing on our lines during the time. Orders being received during the night, my battery, together with the other batteries of the division, moved, and was placed in the open woods on the right of the railroad, about 500 yards north of the Cowan or burnt brick house. Chalmers' brigade was sent to support us.

Very early in the morning (Friday) it became evident that the enemy would dispute with us for this ground. Twice during the day their skirmishers drove ours in, and the heavy columns of infantry following were only repulsed by our artillery. It having been determined that Gen. Breckinridge should attack them on our right, orders were sent to me that precisely at 4 o'clock I should open with my battery on the left of the woods skirting the river bank, and upon the enemy's batteries, in order, as I inferred, to draw their fire from our right. This I evidently succeeded in doing. They turned all their batteries on me, producing a concentration of shot and shell such as I never before witnessed. During the night I returned to the place I had left in the morning, and on Saturday morning moved to our extreme left, to resist a movement the enemy were supposed to be making in that direction. Here we remained until late in the evening, when orders were given to move to the rear of Murfreesborough. My movements each day of the fight were governed by orders directly from Lieut.-Gen. Polk. As usual, I did not move with your brigade in the fight, but I do not doubt but that I gave you as much support as though I had, for my positions covered your right and front as effectually as if I had been with you, and perhaps better.

I feel satisfied with the part the battery played, and know that I did our cause some service. Considering the exposed situation of the company, if would appear strange that we lost so few killed and wounded. This must be accounted for from the fact that I kept my caissons in the rear, out of range of the shot, and the limbers and drivers were, for the most part, sheltered. Only the officers and cannoneers were exposed all the time; nevertheless, we have to mourn the loss of 3 killed and 4 wounded-all by cannon shot. There were also 7 horses killed.

To Lieut.'s [H. R.] McSwine and [J. S.] McCall I am much indebted for the proper management of the battery in the several engagements in which participated. The whole company acted bravely, doing no discredit to their reputation gained at Shiloh and Perryville.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

T. J. STANFORD,
Capt., Cmdg. Light Battery.

Following the Battle of Stones River, Captain Stanford's Battery took part in the Atlanta Campaign. Captian T. J. Stanford was killed in action during the Battle of Resaca, Georgia. Apparently Stanford was warned to protect himself from exposure to the enemy. Reportedly, his last words were "I reckon not."

Funeral Program for Captain T. J. Stanford

Following the Atlanta Campaign, The Battery also took part in Lieutenant General John Bell Hood's operations in Tennessee. The Battery was captured in its entirety during the Battle of Nashville, Tennessee in December of 1864.

John Pipkin Nowell was born in Bertie County, North Carolina in 1830. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. By 1850, John's family had relocated to Mississippi. The 1850 Federal Census found John living south of the Yalobusha River, Yalobusha County, Mississippi. John enlisted as a Private in Captain Stanford's Mississippi Light Artillery on November 6, 1861.

1st Muster Roll for John

He was reported as absent for the period of May - June of 1862. His records indicate he was sent to a hospital in Meridian, Mississippi on June 7, 1862.

Muster Roll showing John was hospitalized in Mississippi

John, along with the rest of Captain Stanford's Battery, was captured during the Battle of Nashville in December of 1864. John appeared on a Prisoner of War Roll for May of 1865. John formally surrendered with Lieutenant General R. Taylor, CSA at Citronelle, Alabama on May 4, 1865. He was paroled on May 11, 1865.

Prisoner of War Roll showing John's surrender and parole

John Pipkin Nowell lived an additional 44 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Grenada County, Mississippi on December 20, 1909. He was 79 years old at the time of his death. He is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Grenada County, Mississippi.

Grave of John Pipkin Nowell

Here's my relation to John:

John Pipkin Nowell 1830-1909
1st cousin 5x removed

William Nowell Esq. 1790-1831
Father of John Pipkin Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Father of William Nowell Esq.

Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

"The Tar River Rebels", Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment: Two 3rd Great Granduncles and Four Cousins

2013-01-27T09:20:00.003-05:00

Reunion Flag of the North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment

Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Tar River Rebels, was organized in Granville County, North Carolina from February - March of 1862.

The North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment completed it's organization at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina on April 4, 1862. The Unit was officially mustered into the service of the Confederate Army on April 16th. On May 31, 1862, the North Carolina 46th was sent, via railroad, to Richmond, Virginia. The Unit arrived in Richmond on June 1st and on the next day, they were ordered to report to Drewry's Bluff, on the James River.

Modern Panoramic View of Drewry's Bluff on the James

Upon their arrival, the Unit was brigaded with the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment, the North Carolina 48th Infantry Regiment, the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment, the 30th Virginia Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion Georgia Infantry. The Brigade was assigned to the command of Brigadier General John George Walker.

Brigadier General John George Walker

Walker served with distinction during the Mexican-American War, where he was promoted to the rank of Captain for "gallant and meritorious conduct" at San Juan de los Llanos. Walker remained with the United States Army until 1861, when he resigned to join the Confederate Army as a Major in the Cavalry.

Walker's Brigade served in the Peninsula Campaign in Major General Theophilus Hunter Holmes' Division, Army of Northern Virginia. Walker was injured during the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862. His Brigade was subjected to heavy artillery fire from Federal Batteries posted on the Malvern Cliffs and also by Federal Gunboats on the James River. Despite taking heavy fire from Union troops, the Brigade suffered only light casualties.

Federal Artillery Position at the Malvern Hill Battlefield

Walker's Brigade returned to Drewry's Bluff on July 2, 1862. The Brigade then moved to Camp Lee, near Petersburg, Virginia in mid-July. For the next month, various Regiments were sent out on scouting missions to harass Federal Ships on the James and Appomattox Rivers.

On August 26, 1862, the Brigades commanded by Brigadier Generals John George Walker and Robert Ransom were sent by rail to Rapidan Station, near the Orange Court House. There Walker assumed command of two additional Brigades. These two Brigades, along with his original Brigade would now form Walker's Division, which was attached to Major General James Longstreet's First Corps. Walker was officially promoted to the rank of Major General on November 8, 1862. Colonel Van H. Manning of the Arkansas 3rd Infantry assumed temporary command of Walker's former Brigade.

Walker's Division moved from Rapidan Station to join the Army of Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia on September 1, 1862. There, Robert E. Lee prepared to cross the Potomac River for his invasion into Maryland.

On September 9th, Lee drafted "Special Order 191", which detailed the movements of the Army of Northern Virginia during the early days of its invasion into Maryland. On September 13th, Union Corporal Barton W. Mitchell of the 27th Indiana Volunteers, discovered an envelope with three cigars wrapped in a piece of paper lying in the grass at a campground that Confederate General Daniel Harvey Hill's troops had just vacated. This piece of paper ended up being Special Order 191. The Order was eventually forwarded to General McClellan. McClellan was elated by learning the planned movements of the Confederate Army. He was overheard as saying "Here is a paper with which, if I cannot whip Bobby Lee, I will be willing to go home."

Copy of Special Order 191 on display at Crampton's Gap, Maryland

In Maryland, the North Carolina 46th participated in the single bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862. Lee ordered the Army of Northern Virginia to concentrate at Sharpsburg, Maryland, where the Federal Army under the command of General George Brinton McClellan, was massing for an attack. Had it not been for the discovery of "Special Order 191", Lee could have quite possibly caught McClellan off guard and routed the entire Federal Army.

On the morning of September 17th, Walker's Division was ordered to reinforce Stonewall Jackson, who was positioned to the right flank of Robert E. Lee's line. Jackson's troops were being vigorously assaulted by Federals. Colonel Manning was wounded early in the battle, command of the Brigade was assumed by Colonel Edward D. Hall of the North Carolina 46th.

Colonel Hall reported the Regiment's movements and activities after it went to the aid of Jackson as follows:

"I formed a line of battle...[my Regiment being] on the left of the Brigade. We advanced through a corn-field into a heavy piece of woods [the West Woods], where the engagement was raging furiously...Simultaneous with our entrance into the woods, the enemy commenced falling back in disorder...On arriving at the farther edge of the woods, I found the enemy in heavy force on an elevation, distance about 200 yards, with a batter of artillery in position on the crest of the hill. Between the enemy and the woods were two heavy panel fences, running obliquely. In face of such difficulties I thought it inexpedient to charge farther. I therefore placed my Regiment behind a breastwork of rails, which I found just beyond the woods, in short range of the enemy, and commenced firing...

Being so far on the left, I had lost sight of the other Regiments in the Brigade, except the 30th Virginia and a portion of the 48th North Carolina, who, in attempting to charge over the fences and up the ascent, found themselves so massed up that they were compelled to lie down...under a withering fire. In this positing they suffered severely, and in a short time were compelled to retire...

The falling back of the 48th North Carolina and 30th Virginia...left a wide gap open, which the enemy began at once to take advantage of in order to re-enter the woods, though [we kept up] a galling fire...on their advancing line until I deemed it unsafe...to remain in position while the enemy was massing upon [my] right and rear. The 46th, therefore, fell back...in good order...out of the woods...[I was then] met by General Jackson, who ordered me to report to General [Lafayette] McLaws. General McL[aws] ordered me to endeavor to hold the woods at all hazards. I then advanced in line of battle to the edge of the woods, which by that time was filled with the enemy, and placed the Regiment behind a ledge of rocks, throwing out...the skirmishers...A few minutes after, a Brigade, which proved to be General [William] Barksdale's, passed on to my left. As soon as it entered the woods, I moved forward and came upon General [Robert] Ransom's Brigade, which...had succeeded in driving the enemy from he woods. Having only my own Regiment with me, I informed General R[ansom] that I would connect myself with his command...We then took up our position in line of battle...and remained all day and night, the enemy evincing no desire to contest the woods with us, but satisfied himself with opening on us with very heavy fire of artillery...Although our loss by this fire was considerable, we held the position until the cessation of battle."

Civil War Era Photograph of the Antietam Battlefield

General Robert Ransom reported that the North Carolina 46th Regiment "unflinchingly maintained" its position throughout the engagement and that its conduct was "all it should have been". Despite being severely crippled, the Confederate line held throughout the day on September 17th. The next day, both armies rested on the field with no confrontation. During the night of September 18th, the Army of Northern Virginia crossed back over the Potomac and went into camp. During the Maryland Campaign, the North Carolina 46th lost 5 men killed and 60 wounded.

Following the Battle of Antietam, the Army of Northern Virginia remained in the Shenandoah Valley until the Federal Army of the Potomac began crossing into the Blue Ridge Mountains on October 26, 1862. On October 28th, Lee ordered Longstreet's Corps to move east of the mountains toward Culpeper Court House.

Lee continued to observe the movements of the Federal Army of the Potomac, now under the command of Major General Ambrose E. Burnside. When it became apparent that the Federal Army was concentrating their force on the Rappahannock River across from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lee ordered Longstreet's Corps to take position on the heights overlooking the town. During that movement, General Walker was transferred, and General Ransom was placed in command of the Division. Colonel John Rogers Cooke of the North Carolina 27th Infantry Regiment was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to command Walker's former Brigade. Cooke's father, Philip St. George Cooke, was a General in the Union Army.

Brigadier General John Rogers Cooke

The Arkansas 3rd and Virginia 30th Infantry Regiments were transferred out of the Brigade. The North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment was added to Cooke's Brigade on November 26, 1862. Cooke's Brigade was now a part of Ransom's Division in General Longstreet's Corps.

Ransom's Division arrived at Fredericksburg, Virginia on November 19, 1862, and was ordered to occupy a supporting position behind the Confederate Artillery on Marye's Heights and Willis' Hill. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, General Cooke was wounded and Colonel Edward Hall again assumed command of the Brigade.

Colonel Hall reported the Brigade's par in the Battle as follows:

"Early on the Morning of the 11th instant the Brigade...was ordered to the front, opposite Fredericksburg, where we remained in position until about 12 o' clock Saturday, the 13th, at which time the engagement was going on in our front. The Brigade was formed in line of battle as follows: The 27th on the right, 48th next, 46th next, 15th on the left...After advancing about 200 yards under a heavy fire of shell and musketry, we arrived at the crest of Willis' Hill, which overlooks the battle-field, on which hill several batteries were placed. With the exception of the 27th, the Brigade was halted on the hill and delivered its fire on the advancing column of the enemy, who was then engaged in making a furious assault on our front lines, which were covered by a long stone wall at the foot of the hill, which assault, on the arrival of the Brigade, was repulsed, with great loss to the enemy. The enemy that time succeeded in getting up to within 40 yards of the wall. After the repulse of the enemy, the 46th was moved down the hill behind the [wall], supporting Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb's Brigade, the 27th and 46th remaining behind the [wall], and the 48th and 15th on top of the hill all day. Six different times during the day did the enemy advance his heavily re-enforced columns, and each time was driven back with immense loss. The action ceased at night, when the Brigade was withdrawn."

Original Photograph of General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb

Brigadier General Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb is my 4th cousin 7x removed and was the focus of an earlier blog entry. As stated in that entry, he was mortally wounded in the thigh by a Union artillery shell that burst inside the Stephens house near the Sunken Road on Marye's Heights on December 12th. He bled to death from damage to his femoral artery on December 13, 1862.

Quartermaster Sergeant John M. Waddill of the North Carolina 46th Infantry reported the 46th's participation in the Battle of Fredericksburg more concisely:

"On 11 December the Regiment...took position at the front of the heights fronting the little city, and immediately behind the stone wall on Marye's Heights. Here it awaited the attack by Burnside, and bore a full share in that historic slaughter. In comparative security, protected by the wall about breast high, all day long it shot down the brave men who charged again and again across the level plain in front, vainly yet most gallantly striving to accomplish an impossibility."

During the Battle of Fredericksburg, the North Carolina 46th Regiment lost 11 men killed and 57 wounded.

Following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Cooke's Brigade was ordered to South Carolina. When they arrived in Coosawhatchie, which was about halfway between Charleston and Savannah, the Brigade was placed under the command of General P. G. T. Beauregard. Beauregard was commander of the Third Military District, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

During the Winter of 1863, the North Carolina 46th spent time at Pocotaligo Station, Wilmington and Kinston before being ordered to report to Richmond. During the Gettysburg Campaign, in July of 63", the Brigade remained in the defenses around Richmond under the command of Major General Arnold Elzey.

On September 27, 1863, the Brigade was ordered to report to Gordonsville, Virginia, where they rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia. The Brigade was now assigned to Major General Henry Heth's Division of Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill's Third Corps.

The North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment would participate in the Battles of Bristoe Station, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, the Defense of Richmond and Petersburg, Sayler's Creek, and ultimately Appomattox Court House before surrendering with the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. The Army of Northern Virginia was formally paroled on April 12, 1865. 116 members of the North Carolina 46th Regiment were present.

Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Seven of my ancestors served in Company E "the Tar River Rebels", North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment. Six of these men were originally from Granville County, North Carolina. John Y. Wheeler was born in Orange County, North Carolina, but would eventually move to Granville County, North Carolina.

James T. Wheeler was born in Ledge Rock, Granville County, North Carolina in March of 1840. He is my 1st cousin 4x removed. James made his living as a farmer before the war. He enlisted at the age of 22.

1st Muster Roll for James

He was elected 2nd Lieutenant on March 10, 1862. He was present and accounted for until he resigned on March 17, 1863.

Lieutenant James Wheeler's Letter of Resignation

A notation on his letter of resignation stated that he was "entirely incompetent". When summoned before a Board of Examination to test his competency, he refused to stand. His resignation was accepted on March 30, 1863. James later served as Sergeant in Company D, North Carolina 10th Heavy Artillery Battalion. James T. Wheeler lived an additional 40 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Granville County, North Carolina in 1905. He was 65 years old. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to James:

James T. Wheeler (1840 - 1905)

is your 1st cousin 4x removed

Ezekiel Wheeler (1794 - 1871)

Father of James T.

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

Father of Ezekiel

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

Son of Benjamin

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

Son of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

Son of Christopher Columbus

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Benjamin Elliott

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Woodward (William) A. Adcock was born in Granville County sometime in 1826. He is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. Woodward, also known as William was also a farmer prior to his enlistment.

Reference Slip showing Woodward was also known as William

Woodward enlisted in Granville County, North Carolina on March 15, 1862 at the age of 25.

1st Muster Roll for Woodward/William

He was mustered in as a Musician. Woodward was sent home on May 31, 1862 due to illness. He was reported absent without leave during July - December of 1862. Woodward was reported absent sick January - June and September - October of 1863. He was finally listed as a deserter on November 5, 1863 and was reduced to ranks on the same date. No official record of Woodward or William Adcock can be found after his 1st Muster Roll with the North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment. It is quite possible that Woodward died from his illness while at home in Granville County. His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to Woodward:

Woodward Adcock (1826 - )

is your 3rd great grand uncle

William Adcock (1790 - 1858)

Father of Woodward

Annie Tyson "Fanny" Adcock (1835 - 1912)

Daughter of William

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

Son of Annie Tyson "Fanny"

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of William Allen

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Benjamin Lucious Moss was born in Granville County, North Carolina on July 15, 1830. He is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. Benjamin's brother and my 3rd Great Grandfather, James C. Moss served alongside James T. Wheeler in Company D, North Carolina 10th Heavy Artillery Battalion.

Benjamin was a farmer prior to his enlistment. He enlisted on April 28, 1862 at the age of 32.

1st Muster Roll for Benjamin

Benjamin was present and accounted for through April of 1864. He was wounded in the right hand at the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia on May 5, 1864.

Muster roll showing Benjamin was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness

Benjamin would never return to duty following his injury. On October 24, 1864, he was retired to the Invalid Corps.

Muster Roll showing Benjamin was retired to the Invalid Corps

Benjamin returned to Granville County, North Carolina, where he again took up farming. He lived an additional 14 years following the Civil War. Benjamin Lucious Moss died in Granville County on January 8, 1879. He is buried in a small family cemetery on his land.

Grave of Benjamin Lucious Moss


Graves of Benjamin L. Moss, wife, son and daughter

What remains of the Benjamin Lucious Moss house in Granville County

Here's my relation to Benjamin:

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1830 - 1879)

is your 3rd great grand uncle

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

Mother of Benjamin Lucious

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

Son of Ann Washington

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

Son of James C.

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of William Allen

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

John Y. Wheeler was born in Orange County, Carolina on June 19, 1843. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. John resided in Granville County prior to the war and was a farmer by trade. He enlisted as a Private in Granville County, North Carolina on February 21, 1862. at the age of 19.

1st Muster Roll for John

John was present and accounted for until he was wounded in the ankle at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

Muster Roll showing John was wounded at Antietam

John was also wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862.

Regimental Return showing John was wounded at Fredericksburg

He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on January 12, 1863.

Muster Roll showing John's promotion to Corporal

John returned to duty and was present and accounted for during March - April of 1863. He was promoted to Sergeant on February 12, 1864. John was present and accounted for until he was wounded during the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia on May 5, 1864. John returned to duty prior to July 1, 1864. He was again wounded at the Battle of Reams' Station on August 25, 1864. John was hospitalized at Richmond, Virginia and was furloughed for 60 days on September 29, 1864. He was reported absent on furlough through December of 1864. Following the war, John returned home to Granville County, North Carolina and resumed farming. In the 1870 Federal Census he is listed as a Tobacco Farmer and living next to his parents. He lived an additional 42 years following the Civil War. John Y. Wheeler died in Granville County, North Carolina on March 9, 1907. He was 63 years old. John is buried in a small family cemetery on his land in Granville County.

Grave of John Y. Wheeler

Here's my relation to John:

John Y. Wheeler (1843 - 1907)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

America Wheeler (1805 - 1880)

Father of John Y.

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

Father of America

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

Father of Martin

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

Son of William

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

Son of Benjamin

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

Son of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

Son of Christopher Columbus

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Benjamin Elliott

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

William Lunsford Wheeler was born in Tar River, Granville County, North Carolina in 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. William was also a farmer prior to enlisting in Granville County on February 22, 1862 at the age of 21.

1st Muster Roll for William

He was present and accounted for until he was wounded in the knee at Bristoe Station, Virginia on October 14, 1863.

Muster Roll showing William was wounded on October 14, 1863

William was hospitalized in Richmond, Virginia, where he died from his wounds on November 4, 1863.

Hospital Report showing William's death on November , 1863

His burial location is not known at the time of this entry.

Here's my relation to William:

William Lunsford Wheeler (1842 - 1863)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Moses Wheeler (1804 - 1865)

Father of William Lunsford

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

Father of Moses

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

Father of Martin

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

Son of William

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

Son of Benjamin

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

Son of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

Son of Christopher Columbus

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Benjamin Elliott

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Paul Gooch was born in Granville County, North Carolina in February of 1824. He is my 2nd cousin, 4x removed. Paul enlisted in Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment in Wake County, North Carolina on October 9, 1864 at the age of 40. His half brother Radford Gooch (no relation to me) also served in Company E.

1st Muster Roll for Paul

Paul was present and accounted for through March of 1865. On April 9, 1865 in accordance with Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, Paul was paroled with the Army of Northern Virginia.

Parole for Paul

Following the end of the Civil War, Paul returned home to Granville County, North Carolina. Some time before 1870, Paul relocated to Hopkins County, Kentucky. He and his family can be found on the 1870 Federal Census as living in Precinct 3, Hopkins County, Kentucky. Paul lived an additional 42 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Hopkins County, Kentucky in 1907 at the age of 83. He is buried in the Olive Branch Missionary Church Cemetery in Hopkins County, Kentucky.

Grave of Paul Gooch

Here's my relation to Paul:

Paul Gooch (1824 - 1907)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler (1798 - 1870)

mother of Paul Gooch

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

father of Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

father of Martin Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

son of William Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

**My 1st cousin 5x removed, James W. Hagood was a Private in Company C, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment.

Another Case of Brother vs. Brother in Company F, Tennessee & Alabama Vidette Cavalry: Private Ezekiel Richard Wheeler, my 2nd cousin 4x removed

2013-01-15T20:18:00.003-05:00

Union Cavalryman

Previously I wrote about the Noblin Brothers who served on opposite sides of our Nation's greatest conflict. The Noblin brothers are all my 1st cousins, 5x removed. Younger brothers, Thomas and Samuel Noblin served in Company E, Arkansas 38th Infantry Regiment, C. S. A. Their older brother, William Noblin served in Company F, Tennessee & Alabama Vidette Cavalry, U. S. A. William Noblin's sister Nancy Noblin Bates' husband, Williston Bates, also served in Company E, Arkansas 38th Infantry Regiment.

This branch of the family has yet another case of brother vs. brother. William Noblin's wife, Celia Wheeler (my 2nd cousin 4x removed) had four brothers who served in the Civil War. Three served in the Confederate Army, while another brother served in the Union Army. Two of Celia's half brothers, Thomas Jefferson Wheeler and Harrison H. Wheeler, have been the focus of a previous blog entry regarding Company I, North Carolina 63rd Infantry Regiment/5th North Carolina Cavalry. Another half brother, John Y. Wheeler served in Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment. The North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment will be the focus of a future blog entry.

Celia Wheeler's oldest brother, Ezekiel Richard Wheeler, served along side her husband, William Noblin in Company F, Tennessee & Alabama Vidette Cavalry in the Union Army.

Ezekiel Richard Wheeler

Ezekiel Richard Wheeler was born in Granville County, North Carolina on April 28, 1825. He is my 2nd cousin 4x removed. By 1850, Ezekiel and his family had relocated to Marshall County, Tennessee. Ezekiel is shown in the 1850 Federal Census as farming and living in a house adjacent to his father, America Wheeler.

Tennessee was a very volatile place in the early 1860's. In 1861, Governor of Tennessee and my 1st cousin 6x removed, Isham Green Harris raised troops for the Confederate Army. In 1862, the Union Army occupied Nashville and inserted provisional governor Andrew Johnson in place of Harris. For the remainder of the war, Tennessee was governed by the United States Federal Government.

Ezekiel wasn't quick to join the Union Army, but rather became so troubled by the way occupying Confederate soldiers treated his land and family that he finally enlisted in Company F, Tennessee & Alabama Vidette Cavarly on April 20, 1863. Family lore claims Confederate soldiers would kill Ezekiel's pigs and then order his wife, Rachel Yarbrough Wheeler, to cook them.

The official records indicate that Ezekiel was 38 years old at the time of his enlistment.

Enlistment Documents for Ezekiel Wheeler

The personal description lists him as being six feet tall, having grey eyes, dark complexion and hair.

Muster Document for Ezekiel

As stated in William Noblin's blog entry, Company F had only one officer and 73 men who were poorly armed, with the exception of about half a dozen squirrel rifles. Ezekiel was also part of the garrison that was routed by Confederate forces at Tracy City, Tennessee on January 20, 1864.

Family lore also tells a story of how Ezekiel's son, James Woodson Wheeler, was asked by his mother to deliver food and water to a hungry soldier who was hiding in their barn. When James delivered the plate of food, he was surprised to see that the soldier was none other than his father. Ezekiel had slipped through the Confederate lines at night and travelled home to see his family. Following the brief visit with his family, as he made his way back to the Union Camp, he was fired upon by Confederate soldiers. Their bullets tore two holes in his uniform, but failed to pierce Ezekiel.

Ezekiel was mustered out of the Union Army on June 16, 1864 at Stevenson, Alabama. The following is an affidavit made by 1st Lieutenant P. M. Radford of Company F, regarding the mustering out of Company F:

I, P. M. Radford 1st Lieut Co ‘F’ 1^st Regt Indept Vidette Cavalry being duly sworn by the Judge Advocate of the District of Tenn. do hereby depose and say that the Regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Stevenson Ala to be mustered out of the U.S. service (by Maj. Gen. Thomas on the 24^th day of May 1864).

That the company Tents – Arms etc – were turned over at Nashville by order – that the company waited at Stevenson in the woods outside the pickets until the 16^th day of June when they were mustered out – they then waited until the 30^th of June for the Paymaster when the Regt was ordered to Nashville to be paid.

That Sergt Rittenberry and Privates Asb. Smith, T J Ladd, W S Smith, WJ Biggers, Jas L. Roberts, and W R Carlton from exposure to heavy rains and extreme heat were obliged to be sent home sick. Biggers having a severe gun shot wound in the shoulder said men would probably have died had they not been sent home.

That they were not present at the Pay Table at Nashville and that they have not been paid for the time specified in their respective "Final Statement".

P M Radford
Late 1^st Lieut 1^st Regt Vidette Cav

Sworn to and subscribed before me at Nashville Tenn this 4^th day of July 1864

W C Squire
Capt of act. J Adv of Dist of Tennessee

Muster Out Document for Ezekiel

He initially received a pension in the amount of $12.00/month. It was later increased to $20.00/month.

Ezekiel Wheeler's Pension Paper

Ezekiel and his family continued to live in Marshall County, Tennessee until 1869. Another family story states that Rachel Yarbrough's brothers fought for the Confederacy. Apparently her father, Joel Yarbrough, didn't take to kindly to the fact that Ezekiel fought for the Union. He didn't like the fact that his daughter had married a Yankee, so he disowned her. That part of the story in unknown, however Joel died in 1871 and Rachel was named in his will. In any case, the Wheeler's initially moved to Livingston County, Kentucky in 1869. Sometime before 1880, Ezekiel and his family further relocated to McCormick, Pope County, Illinois. After the death of his wife, Rachel, in 1898 Ezekiel moved to Anna, Union County, Illinois with his son William Thomas Wheeler

Ezekiel Richard Wheeler lived an additional 42 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Anna, Union County, Illinois on July 10, 1907 at the age of 82. He is buried in the Old Zion Cemetery, near McCormick, Illinois.

Here's my relation to Ezekiel:

Ezekiel Richard Wheeler (1825 - 1907)

is your 2nd cousin 4x removed

America Wheeler (1805 - 1880)

Father of Ezekiel Richard

Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)

Father of America

William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)

Father of Martin

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

Son of William

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

Son of Benjamin

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

Son of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

Son of Christopher Columbus

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Benjamin Elliott

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

The North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment: Two 3rd Great Granduncles and Three Cousins

2013-01-10T20:31:00.002-05:00

Piece of the North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment's Flag

The North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment completed it's organization at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina in March of 1862. Its men were recruited from the counties of Granville, Edgecombe, Pitt, Chatham, Montgomery, Beaufort, and Franklin. The North Carolina 44th initially served in the Department of North Carolina, and then was assigned to my 2nd cousin 5x removed, Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew's Brigade, Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill's Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.


Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew

Although the North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment was attached to Pettigrew's Brigade, the Unit did not participate in Pickett's/Pettigrew's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg. The North Carolina 44th was on detached service at Hanover Junction, where they guarded the railroad connections in the area and protected General Robert E. Lee's communication lines with the Confederate Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.

Company A was tasked with guarding the Virginia Central Railroad's bridge across the South Anna River. According to several post war reports, this was the post that offered the greatest danger. On June 26, 1863, Companies A & G of the North Carolina 44th, a force totalling about 90 men, defended the Virginia Central Railroad Bridge from numerous Federal assaults from a force of nearly 1,100 Federal Cavalrymen. Overwhelming Federal odds prevailed, only after bloody hand-to-hand combat. Company A sustained heavy casualties (7 killed, 13 wounded, 30 missing or captured). The remainder of the North Carolina 44th served on picket duty back at Hannover Junction. On July 24, 1863, the entire Regiment was ordered to Gordonsville, Virginia.

The North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment rejoined their Brigade in August of 1863, however they now had a new Commanding Officer. Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew was mortally wounded on July 14th at Falling Waters, West Virginia during the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg. He died from his wounds on July 17, 1863. Command of his Brigade was passed to Brigadier General William Whedbee Kirkland.

Brigadier General William W. Kirkland

The now renamed "Kirkland's Brigade" occupied a position on the Rapidan River. General Lee had moved his forces to the Rapidan in response to Union General George Meade's movement across the Potomac from Gettysburg, where Union troops took up a defensive position on the Rappahannock. While encamped on the Rapidan, the Confederate command waited patiently for the right time to attack.

Union Major General George Gordon Meade

On October 8, 1863, Lee's forces moved rapidly toward the Culpeper Courthouse, where they hoped to engage Meade's troops. Meade withdrew, fell back and avoided the initial confrontation at Culpeper Courthouse. On October 14, 1863, the Confederates caught up with Federal forces at Bristoe Station, near Centreville, Virginia where, Confederate Lieutenant General A. P. Hill's Third Corps clashed with the Union's II Corps, Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General Gouverneur Kemble Warren.

Gouverneur Kemble Warren

Ambrose Powell Hill

Warren commanded the II Corps in the absense of General Winfield Scott Hancock, who was recovering from wounds sustained at the Battle of Gettysburg . The II Corps were supported by a powerful artillery battery that was fortified in an railroad embankment. Heavy artillery and infantry fire tore through the Confederates as they pushed forward down an open hill towards the Union line. The North Carolina 44th sustained heavy casualties without flinching. On three separate occasions, a courier rode to the front lines and advised the North Carolina 44th to fall back. Each request to fall back was ignored. The North Carolina 44th pressed on toward the Union position. Hill hastily ordered a Confederate retreat. Many men from the North Carolina 44th refused to recross the open area and were captured by Federal soldiers. The North Carolina 44th casualties included 23 men killed and 63 men wounded. The total Union casualty count was 540 killed, wounded, or missing compared to 1,380 killed, wounded or missing Confederates. General William Whedbee Kirkland's left arm was fractured by a bullet.

With General Kirkland out of commission, command of Kirkland's Brigade now passed to Colonel William MacRae. McRae was temporarily promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. His full promotion went into effect in 1864.

Brigadier General William MacRae

While Colonel of the North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment, MacRae had the opportunity to observe the North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment during their participation at the Battle of Bristoe Station. He admired their conduct and was impressed by their valor on the field of battle. MacRae loved brave men and found the North Carolina 44th to contain some of the bravest men he ever served with. While in command of the Brigade, he frequently placed himself near the colors of the Regiment and stated "If I am with the (NC) 44th Regiment and am lost, I shall always be found in the fore-front of the fighting."

Following their victory at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Meade and his troops continued their retreat towards Centreville, Virginia. On November 7th Confederate and Federal forces clashed at Rappohannock Bridge and Kelly's Ford. Both armies spent the majority of November entrenched across Mine Run Creek. On December 2, 1863, Lee discovered that Meade had withdrawn completely from the area. Lee ordered his army into winter quarters. The North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment with the rest of MacRae's/Kirkland's Brigade encamped near the Orange County Court House.
All was relatively quiet for the North Carolina 44th and MacRae's/Kirkland's Brigade through the winter of 63 - 64. On May 4, 1864, Robert E. Lee received information that the Meade's Army of the Potomac under the direct supervision of Ulysses S. Grant, had crossed the Rapidan. By this time General Kirkland had re-assumed command of his Brigade. Lee ordered the Confederates out of their camp near the Orange County Court House. The North Carolina 44th broke camp on the 4th of May and bivouacked the same night at Verdiersville, Virginia which was about nine miles from the "Wilderness".

Battle of the Wilderness by Kurz and Allison

Two roads ran parallel through the dense thicket which gave its name to the territory where the Battle was to be fought. They were known as the "Orange Plank Road" and the "Orange Turnpike". On May 5th, the North Carolina 44th marched towards the Federal position by way of the Orange Plank Road. The Unit became heavily engaged with Federal troops at about 2:00 p.m. The North Carolina 44th took up a position on the right of the Orange Plank Road while the North Carolina 26th took up a position on it's left side. Their location would serve as the center of one of the most violent contests of the entire Civil War. The road was swept by volley after volley of incessant artillery and infantry fire. Any attempts to cross it meant almost certain death.

Three pieces of Confederate Artillery were at risk of being overtaken by the advancing Federals. The horses that were pulling the guns had all been killed. Lieutenant R. W. Stedman, of Company A, volunteered to drag the guns down the road, out of danger, if he could be aided by a detail of forty men. Forty men immediately stepped to his side and agreed to follow him, although they all knew the effort was full of danger. The work was done successfully, but only three of the volunteers escaped unhurt. Lieutenant Stedman was severely wounded by grape shot. For his personal gallantry in this action he was honorably mentioned in high terms of praise in an official order from division headquarters, the Army's equivalent of the Medal of Honor.

The North Carolina 44th suffered heavily in the fighting on May 5th and 6th. On the morning of May 6th, a large Federal force comprised of 13 Brigades clashed with the 8 Brigades belonging to A.P. Hill. The entire right wing of Lee's force fell back in disorder. Confederate reserves commanded by General James Longstreet arrived in time to avert a complete Confederate collapse.

On the 7th of May, General Grant continued his southeastern march. Lee rushed the Army of Northern Virginia ahead of Grant's troops and was able to erect a defensive position around the works near the Spotsylvania Court House on May 8th. Light skirmishing continued for the next few days. On May 12, 1864, the North Carolina 44th was assigned it's position directly in front of the Spotsylvania Court House. There they supported a Battery of Confederate Artillery. Repeatedly throughout the day on the 12th, the North Carolina 44th repulsed several Federal advances, each time being covered by heavy Artillery fire from the Confederate line. Each Federal assault was repulsed with great loss to the enemy.

Battle of Spottsylvania by Thure de Thulstrup

The North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment participated in every engagement in which Kirkland's Brigade's took part, from Spotsylvania Court House to the Siege of Petersburg. The Unit constantly skirmished with Federal troops as Grant continued his march on Lee's flank.

On June 3, 1864, the Regiment was heavily engaged with Federal troops at Gaines' Mill. General Kirkland was wounded again during this Battle, when he was again shot through the right thigh.

Historical Marker at the Gaines' Mill Battlefield

Following the engagement, the North Carolina 44th continued it's march toward Petersburg. The Unit arrived on June 24, 1864 and Brigadier General William MacRae took command for the injured Kirkland. MacRae's promotion to Brigadier General had finally gone into effect. He would remain in command of the Brigade for the remainder of the war.

Company A, known as the "Granville Regulators"

Dudley Walker was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1834. He is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. Dudley was conscripted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment on February 6, 1863 in Duplin County, North Carolina. He was 29 years old at the time of his conscription.

1st Muster Roll for Dudley

His brother, Addison Lee Walker served in Company E, North Carolina 56th Infantry Regiment. Dudley's sister, Lucy Walker Laws's husband George Laws and my 2nd Great Grand Aunt Judith Wheeler Beck's husband, David H. Beck also served in Company A, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment.

David H. Beck circa 1899

Dudley Walker fell ill and was sent to the C.S.A. General Hospital in Farmville, Virginia on June 15, 1864. He remained there until September 29th, when he was transferred to a Hospital in Richmond, Virginia where he returned to duty.

Hospital Register for Dudley

Following his return to duty, Dudley and the North Carolina 44th participated in the defense of Petersburg and Richmond for the remainder of the war. Dudley Walker survived at least an additional 15 years following the end of the Civil War. The last record of Dudley is the 1880 Federal Census, where he is found living in Orange County, North Carolina. No further record for Dudley can be found at this time. His burial location remains unknown.

Here's my relation to Dudley:

Dudley Walker (1834 - 1880)

is your 3rd great grand uncle

Ellis Walker Sr. (1775 - 1853)

Father of Dudley

Ellis Walker Jr. (1805 - 1888)

Son of Ellis

Mildred Walker (1854 - 1922)

Daughter of Ellis

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

Son of Mildred

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Benjamin Elliott

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

**An interesting side note, Dudley Walker's father, Ellis Walker's (my 4th Great Grandfather) first wife was Elizabeth Pettigrew (my 4th Great Grandmother). Elizabeth Pettigrew was General Pettigrew's cousin. Elizabeth's father, James Pettigrew was the brother of General Pettigrew's Grandfather, Charles Pettigrew.

Burwell Wheeler was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1796. He is also my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. Three of Burwell's sons also served in the Confederate Army. John R. "Jack" Wheeler served in both Company C, North Carolina 61st and Company H, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiments. Nicholas Wheeler served in Company E, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. William H. Wheeler served in Company I, North Carolina 3rd Cavalry. Burwell enlisted as a Private in the "Granville Regulators" a/k/a Company A, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment on February 28, 1862 at the age of 66. He was officially mustered into the unit on April 3, 1862. Burwell is listed as being a farmer prior to the war. Per the description on his 1st Muster Roll, he is listed as being five feet seven inches tall.

1st Muster for Burwell

Burwell was captured on the South Anna Bridge on June 26, 1863 and was exchanged at Fortress Monroe on June 29th.

POW Roll for Burwell

Burwell was discharged by surgeon's certificate on April 18, 1864.

Discharge for Burwell

Burwell Wheeler lived an additional 20 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Wake County, North Carolina in 1885 at the age of 89. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Burwell:

Burwell Wheeler (1796 - 1885)

is your 3rd great grand uncle

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

father of Burwell Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Robert Rowland was born in Warren County, North Carolina in 1828. He is my 1st cousin 5x removed. Prior to his service in the Civil War, Robert was a Grocer by trade. Robert enlisted as a Private in Company A, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment on March 15, 1862 at the age of 35.

Ist Muster for Robert

Robert was also captured on the South Anna Bridge on June 26, 1863 and was exchanged at Fortress Monroe on June 29th.

POW Roll for Robert

Robert was again captured, this time on April 2, 1865 in a skirmish near Petersburg, Virginia. He was confined to Hart's Island Prison, New York on April 7, 1865.

POW Roll for Robert

Robert was released from Hart's Island Prison on June 19, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Oath of Allegiance for Robert

Robert Rowland lived at least an additonal 15 years following the end of the Civil War. No further record of him can be found after the 1880 Federal Census where his shown living in Nutbush, Warren County, North Carolina. His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Robert:

Robert Rowland (1827 - 1880)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Hannah H. Harris (1805 - 1870)

mother of Robert Rowland

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Hannah H. Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company S

Chaplain Richard Stanford Webb

My 3rd cousin 5x removed, Richard Stanford Webb, served as Chaplain of the North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment. Richard was born in Orange County, North Carolina on February 15, 1837. He enlisted as a Private in Company S, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment on April 23, 1862 at the age of 25. Richard was promoted to Full Chaplain of the Regiment on November 23, 1863.

Following the end of the Civil War, Richard settled in Orange County, North Carolina where he lived for an additional 36 years. Richard was a Methodist Minister in Orange County from 1859 throuhg his death. Richard Stanford Webb died in Orange County, North Carolina on November 20, 1901 at the age of 64. He is buried in the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Oaks, Orange County, North Carolina.

Grave of Richard Stanford Webb

Richard's brother, Alexander Smith Webb, also my 3rd cousin 5x removed, served in Company G, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment.

Alexander Smith Webb

Alexander Smith Webb was born in Orange County, North Carolina on November 16, 1840. He enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment on January 5, 1863 at the age of 22.

1st Muster Roll for Alexander

Alexander rose up the ranks of the North Carolina 44th fairly quickly. He was promoted to Sergeant Major on March 1, 1863.

Muster Roll showing Alexander's promotion to Sergeant Major

Alexander was again promoted, this time to the rank of 3rd Lieutenant. His promotion went into effect on December 5, 1863.

Muster Roll showing Alexander's promotion to 3rd Lieutenant

Alexander received his final promotion on May 1, 1864, this time to the rank of 1st Lieutnatn/Adjutant of the North Carolina 44th Infantry Regiment.

Roster showing Alexander's promotion to 1st Lieutenant/Adjutant

Alexander's appointment was signed by Secretary of War, James Seddon

Alexander's Appointment to 1st Lieutenant/Adjutant

Alexander was captured by Federal forces on August 27, 1864 near Petersburg, Virginia. He was confined to Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 1864. He was then transferred to Fort Delaware, Maryland on December 16, 1864.

POW Roll for Alexander

Alexander was released from Fort Delaware on June 17, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Oath of Allegiance for Alexander

Following the end of the Civil War, Alexander settled in Warren County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 63 years.

Alexander Smith Webb and wife Annabelle Moore

Alexander Smith Webb died in Warren County, North Carolina on January 11, 1928 at the age of 87. He is buried in Raleigh's historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Grave of Alexander Smith Webb

Due to the fact that Richard and Alexander were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Alexander:

Alexander Smith Webb (1840 - 1928)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

Alexander Smith Webb (1804 - 1849)

father of Alexander Smith Webb

Ann Hunt Smith (1784 - 1840)

mother of Alexander Smith Webb

Amy Pomfret (1759 - 1834)

mother of Ann Hunt Smith

John Pomfret (1720 - 1814)

father of Amy Pomfret

Frances Hunt Pomfret (1747 - 1826)

daughter of John Pomfret

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

son of Frances Hunt Pomfret

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

daughter of Pomfret Blackwell

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

daughter of Phoebe Blackwell

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

daughter of Martha Anne Currin

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company F, Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment: 2nd Lieutenant Christopher Columbus Harris, my 2nd cousin 5x removed

2013-01-08T22:00:00.002-05:00

Flag of the Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment

The Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment was organized in Courtland, Lawrence County, Alabama on August 6, 1861. Following the unit's organization, they were ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they were attached to Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer's Brigade.

Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer

My 1st cousin 6x removed, Governor of Tennessee Isham Green Harris had appointed Zollicoffer to the rank of Brigadier General on May 9, 1861. On July 26, 1861, prior to the attachment of the Alabama 16th Infanty to Zollicoffer's Brigade, Harris had ordered Zollicoffer and 4,000 raw recruits to Knoxville to suppress resistance to secession in East Tennessee. For his actions, Zollicoffer was appointed to command the District of East Tennessee.

On September 17, 1861, General Zollicoffer led a force of 5,400 men through the Cumberland Gap along the Wilderness Road to seize eastern Kentucky. Kentucky's neutrality had been violated in 1861 by both Union forces (setting up recruitment camps in the state) and Confederates (Major General Leonidas Polk's invasion in Western Kentucky in early September). A minor Battle took place in Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky on September 19th. For much of the summer of 1861, Federal sympathizers in Kentucky had been organizing and training Federal recruits at Camp Andrew Johnson, near Barbourville. Zollicoffer's aim was to seize the camp and eliminate the threat.

As the early morning fog rolled in, Zollicoffer ordered 800 men under the command of Colonel Joel A. Battle to advance toward the Federal camps. Camp Johnson had largely been vacated, with the recruits moved to nearby Camp Dick Robinson, where several thousand Federal troops were gathered. As Colonel Battle's men approached the Federal camp, they encountered a force of 300 pro-Union "Home Guards" under Captain Isaac J. Black. Captain Black's men removed the planking from the bridge to prevent the Confederate force from crossing it. Sharp skirmishing broke out, but Battle's superior numbers prevailed and Zollicoffer's men claimed victory. The Confederates seized the camp, destroyed the buildings and captured the arms and equipment left behind by the retreating Federal recruits. Black reported his casualties as 1 man killed, 1 wounded, and 13 captured. The Confederates lost 7 men killed in the encounter.

The Confederate victory caused concern for Union Brigadier General George H. Thomas, commander of Federal forces in Kentucky.   Thomas sent a detachment under Colonel Theophilus T. Garrard to secure the ford on the Rockcastle River, establish a camp at the heavily forested Wildcat Mountain, and obstruct Confederates on the Wilderness Road from passing through the area. Colonel Garrard informed Thomas that if he did not receive reinforcements, he would have to retreat because he was outnumbered 7 - 1. Thomas sent Brigadier General Albin F. Schoepf, with what amounted to a brigade of men to Colonel Garrard, bringing the total force to about 7,000.  The now prepared Federals waited for the Confederate troops to pass through the stronghold that would allow them to proceed into Central Kentucky.

The opposing forces clashed in a brisk battle in the late afternoon of October 20, 1861. On the morning of October 21st, soon after Schoepf's reinforcements had arrived, some of his men advanced forward and encountered Confederate forces. An intense firefight commenced.  The Federals repelled repeated attacks from the Confederates. The Confederates withdrew during the night and continued their retreat to Cumberland Ford, which they reached on October 26. A tactical victory was claimed for the Federals. General Schoepf reported 4 Union soldiers killed and 18 wounded. General Zollicoffer reported 11 Confederates killed and 42 wounded or missing. Zollicoffer's victory from one month earlier was now nulified by the Confederate retreat.

Zollicoffer was killed in the Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek, on January 19, 1862. This was the first Union victory of the war.   It would soon be overshadowed by General Grant's decisive victories at Forts Donelson and Henry. The Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment reported 64 casualties at the Battle of Mill Springs. Following the death of their Brigadier General, the Alabama 16th was transferred to another field of operations and placed in the Brigade of General Sterling Alexander Martin Wood, which also included the 33rd Alabama, 44th Tennessee, and 32nd and 33rd Mississippi.

Brigadier General Sterling Alexander Martin Wood

The Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment was attached to Wood's Brigade during the bloody Battle of Shiloh, which took place in Hardin County, Tennessee between April 6 - 7, 1862.

Battle of Shiloh by Thure de Thulstrup.

During the Battle, Wood's Brigade was attached to Major General William J. Hardee's Corps, which was also comprised of Brigadier General Thomas C. Hindman's Brigade and Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne's Brigade.

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the Confederate Army of Tennessee under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston, was deployed for battle along the Cornith Road. The entire Confederate force had spent the night just 2 miles from the Union encampment. Their early morning approach achieved almost total strategic and tactical surprise. The Union camps lacked the appropriate scouting patrols due to the Union Army's belief that Confederate forces were not close enough to be deemed a threat.

General Albert Sidney Johnston

Unfortunately, due to poor planning on the part of the Confederate command, the confusing alignment of the Confederate troops helped to reduce the effectiveness of the attack since Johnston and Beauregard had no unified battle plan. Johnston and Beauregard had two different visions for the attack. Johnston had telegraphed Confederate President Jefferson Davis that the attack would proceed as: "Polk the left, Bragg the center, Hardee the right, and Breckinridge in reserve." His strategy was to emphasize the attack on the right flank to prevent the Union Army from reaching the Tennessee River, which was its supply line and avenue of retreat.  Johnston instructed Beauregard to stay in the rear and direct men and supplies as needed, while he rode to the front to lead the men on the battle line. This effectively ceded control of the battle to Beauregard, who's plan was simply to attack in three waves and push the Union Army straight eastward into the Tennessee River.

The Corps of Hardee and Bragg began the assault with their divisions in one line, which extended almost 3 miles wide.   The units became intermingled as they advanced, making them harder to control. The commanders attacked in lines of battle with no reserves. Without fresh troops to fight, the men became tired and confused. As they attacked with a single, linear formation, the men lacked both the depth and weight needed for a successful charge. Although the Confederate assault contained several shortcomings, it was still quite ferocious. Some Union forces fled to the safety of the Tennessee River, others attempted to make stands and take up new defensive positions.

The piecemeal Confederate attack pressed on.  Union troops slowly lost ground and fell back to a position behind Shiloh Church. There they waited eagerly for reinforcements. General Grant was about ten miles down river near Savannah, Tennessee when he heard the sharp sound of artillery fire. Unable to walk without the assistance of crutches due to his horse falling on him on April 4th, Grant raced to the battlefield via steamboat. Grant's Union troops took up and held a position nicknamed the "Hornet's Nest" in a field along a road now popularly referred to as the "Sunken Road". Rather than maneuvering around the "Hornet's Nest", Confederate forces assaulted the position for several hours, where they took heavy casualties. Historians estimate that the Confederates made between 8 - 14 separate charges against the "Hornet's Nest".

The Confederate charges seemed all in vain until a contingent of Confederates, led by Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles, assembled over 50 cannons into "Ruggles's Battery"to blast the "Hornet's Nest" at close range. Then they were able to surround the position, after Federal troops held out for seven hours. Surrounded on three sides, Union General Prentiss surrendered himself and the remains of his Division to the Confederates. A large portion of the Union survivors, were captured, but their sacrifice bought time for Grant to establish a final defense line near Pittsburg Landing.

During the attempt to rid the "Hornet's Nest" of Union occupation, the Confederates suffered their greatest loss. General Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded at about 2:15 p.m., while leading attacks on the Union left, when he was shot in his left leg.  Johnston deemed the leg wound insignificant, and sent his personal surgeon away to care for some wounded captured Union soldiers.  Governor Isham Green Harris served as General Johnston's Aide-de-Camp. Harris was the first to notice Johnston slumping in his saddle. Harris asked, "General, are you wounded?" to which the General replied, "Yes, I fear gravely so". In his Doctor's absence, he bled to death within an hour.   Johnston was the highest ranking casualty on either side of the conflict.

General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard

With Johnston killed in action, Beauregard now assumed command. He ordered Johnston's body shrouded for secrecy to avoid damaging morale in the Confederate Army and then resumed attacks against the Hornet's Nest. Grant concentrated his defenses near Pittsburg Landing. Confederate attacks pressed on to little avail.   Instead of pushing the Union troops back to a poorly defensible position to the west in the swamps, they had pushed Grant east to an easily defensible position on the river.

Following the day's action on April 6th, Beauregard sent a telegram to Confederate President Davis announcing "a complete victory". Beauregard thought he had forced Grant into a position that would be easy to defeat the following morning. This was not so.  Union reinforcements began to arrive in droves. 15,000 men from Don Carlos Buell's Army began to arrive that evening.   With the Union reinforcements on the scene, a significant Union surprise attack was launched. The Union force now totaled around 45,000 men compared to the Confederate force of roughly 20,000 men. Beauregard was unaware that he was now severely outnumbered and planned to continue the attack and drive Grant into the river. To his dismay, Union forces started moving forward in a massive counterattack at dawn.

Beauregard now realized that he had lost the initiative.  His men were low on ammunition and food and had suffered over 10,000 casualties, killed, wounded, or missing.  The Confederate forces withdrew beyond Shiloh Church, massing Confederate Batteries at the church and on the ridge south of Shiloh Branch. Beauregard used these forces kept the Union forces at bay on the Corinth Road until 5:00 p.m., when the Confederates began an orderly withdrawal back to Corinth.   The bloody Battle of Shiloh was over. The official casualty numbers included 13,047 Union casualties (1,754 killed, 8,404 wounded, 2,885 captured or missing) and 10,699 Confederate casualties (1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, 959 captured or missing). Although the casualty count was similar, the Union claimed a tactical victory, partially due to Beauregard's failure to continue the original Confederate attack on the night of April 6, 1862. The Alabama 16th Infantry regiment lost 162 men during the Battle of Shiloh.

The Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment also took part in the Battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Atlanta, Georgia, and Franklin, Tennessee.

Christopher Columbus Harris

Christopher Columbus Harris was born near Mount Hope, Lawrence County, Alabama on January 28, 1842. He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed. He was educated both in the local school and by private tutors. On August 10, 1861, Christopher enlisted as a Private in Company F, Alabama 16th Infantry Regiment.

1st Muster for Christopher Columbus Harris

He was promoted to Full Ordnance Sergeant sometime before March of 1862.

Muster Roll showing promotion to Full Ordnance Sergeant

Sometime after 1862, Christopher Columbus Harris was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was wounded and captured at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee on December 17, 1864.

POW Roll showing Christopher's capture at the Battle of Franklin

Following his capture he was confined to Camp Chase, Ohio. He was then sent to a Federal Prison in Louisville, Kentucky on March 27, 1865.

POW Roll showing transfer to Louisville

Christopher was paroled on May 11, 1865.

Parole of Honor for Christopher Columbus Harris

He was released after taking the Oath of Allegiance on June 14, 1865.

Oath of Allegiance for Christopher Columbus Harris

Following the war, Christopher served as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lawrence County from 1865-1867. Following his clerkship, he studied law and was admitted to the Bar, where he commenced practice in Moulton, Alabama in 1868. Christopher and his family moved to Decatur, Alabama in 1872 where he continued his law practice. In 1887 he assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Decatur, where he served as President until January of 1913. He then organized the Bank of Commerce in 1913 and became its President.

Christopher Columbus Harris later in life

Christopher was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Congressman William Richardson. His tenure of service spanned from May 11, 1914, to March 3, 1915. In 1914 he became President of the City National Bank of Decatur, Alabama. Harris was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors on January 10, 1928. Christopher Columbus Harris lived an additional 70 years following the end of the Civil War. He died in Decatur, Alabama on December 28, 1935 and was buried in the Decatur Cemetery.

Grave of Christopher Columbus Harris

Here's my relation to Christopher:

Christopher Columbus Harris (1842 - 1935)

is your 2nd cousin 5x removed

Nancy Louise Luisa Stovall (1814 - 1869)

Mother of Christopher Columbus

William Stovall (1780 - 1865)

Father of Nancy Louise Luisa

Josiah Stovall Sr. (1749 - 1798)

Father of William

Rebecca Stovall (1772 - 1852)

Daughter of Josiah

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

Daughter of Rebecca

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

Daughter of Phoebe

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

Daughter of Martha Anne

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of Phebe Lucy

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce