USA > North Carolina > Catawba County > The Catawba soldier of the Civil war a sketch of every soldier from Catawba county, North Carolina, with the photograph, biographical sketch, and reminiscence of many of them, together with a sketch of Catawba county from 1860 to 1911 > Part 11
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Sherrill, Henry, enlisted June 6, '61; wounded at Seven Pines, prisoner. Major; died since the war.
Seitz, David, enlisted June 6, '61; died July 7, '62 of wound at Malvern Hill. (See sketch.)
DAVID M. SEITZ
David M. Seitz, son of Darius and Rebecca Link Seitz, was born in 1841; enlisted in Co. F. 23rd Regiment, June 6th, 1861. He was mor- tally wounded at Ma- lvern Hill, and died in Chimborazo Hospital, July 7th, 1862. He was a Christian young man, a devoted Lutheran, a good soldier, and died in defence of his country's cause. Thus, with many others, many noble youths passed away. "Old men for coun- sel, young men for war"
Sigmon, C. C., enlisted June 6, '61; died since the war.
Shuford, Phillip, enlisted March 1, '61; died of wound at Lynchburg.
Shuford, A. A., enlisted June 6, '61. (See sketch.)
Shuford, Solomon, enlisted March '61; living in Caldwell, a farmer.
Seitz, G. L., enlisted March 1, '62; died August 3, '63 of wound received at Gettysburg.
Scronce, William A., enlisted June 6, '61; wounded at Seven Pines; living in Missouri.
Sigmon, Miles S., enlisted June 6, '61; living, a mechanic. Sigmon, G. P., enlisted June 6, '61; died December 4, '61 in Va. Smith, W. H., enlisted June 6, '61; d'ed November 20,'61.
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
Abel A. Shuford, of Hickory, N. C., Manafacturer and Banker, was born in Catawba county in 1841, son of Jacob H. Shuford, a farmer and native of the same county. After receiving his education in the Old Field Schools, he made his début in business life as a clerk in Hickory, an occupation which was interrupted in 1861 by the call for troops for
ABEL. A. SHUFORD
defence of the State. At the age of 19 he enlisted as prviaate in Com- pany F, 23rd N. C. Regiment under command of Col. J. F. Hoke. He was soon promoted to Corporal, then to Second Sergeant. With his regiment, he was in Manassas Va., until the spring of 1862, and was then ordered to the peninsula, where in his first battle, Williamsburg, he
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carried the colors of his regiment. He fought at Seven Pines and in the Seven Day's campaign, up to the battle of Cold Harbor, where he was severely wounded. After a season in the Hospital and at his home he was again with his comrades at Martinsburg, Va., after their return from Maryland, and engaged in the battle of Fredricksburg and other battles. Some days before the battle of Gettysburg his friend, the late Sidney T. Wilfong, found a letter F which he gave to him. He wore this letter on the front of his cap and it was shot off in the battle - of Gettysburg. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the first days fight and was captured by the enemy. He was held as a prisoner of war for twenty-one months at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout. Then being exchanged he was given a furlough during which the war came to an end.
After the war he farmed for awhile, then went to Hickory and en- gaged in business with a capital of $500.00. In 1891 he became Presi- dent of the First National Bank of Hickory and at this writing is still President of this institution. He is also President of the Shuford National Bank of Newton, N. C., and a director of the First National Bank of Morganton, N. C. He is President of the Hickory Manufactur- ing Co., President of the Hickory Electric Co., Secretary and Treasurer of the Ivey Mill Co. and Granite Falls Mfg. Co. (Cotton Mills) and Treasurer of the A. A. Shuford Mill Co. He is Vice-President of the Piedmont Wagon Co., and is a Trustee of Catawba College and Clare- mont College. He served for fifteen years as Chairman of the Demo- cratic County Executive Committee. He is a Director of the State Hospital at Morganton, being a memember of the Executive Board. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1884 and 1885. He says the greatest honor ever paid him was by the Daughters of the Confedracy in naming the Chapter at Hickory the "Abel A. Shuford Chapter."
He was married in 1873 to Alda V., daughter of Dr. O. Campbell, of Newton, and niece of Col. Reuben Campbell, of Statesville. To this union were born three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, except one son who died in early childhood.
The subject of this sketch who is now living is, at the age of 69, a hale and hearty man, actively engaged in his officialand business duties, taking an active interest in public affairs and especially church work and educational institutions.
Seagle, Adam, enlisted June 6, '61; wounded at Gettysburg; living in South Carolina.
Towell, Wm., enlisted June 6, '61; killed May '63 at Chancel- lorsville.
Warlick, G. W., enlisted June 6, '61; wounded at Chancellors- ville. (See sketch.)
Warlick, W. T., enlisted June 6, '61; promoted Sergeant, wounded at Gettysburg and killed at Spottsylvania Court House; May 10, '64. (See sketch.)
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WILLIAM T. WAR- LICK
William T. Warlick enlisted June 6, 1861, in Company F, 23rd Regi- ment. He was promot- ed Sergeant; wounded at Gettysburg, and also near Richmond. He was killed at Orange Court House.
The author is indebt- ed, through the patriotic spirit of Mrs. Lafayette Mostella, for the photos and short sketches of her grandfather, J. C. Sides, and her uncles, Logan and William War- lick.
WILLIAM D. SHELL
William D. Shell en- listed in Company F, 23rd Regiment. He was twice wounded; at Chan- cellorsville and at Get- tysburg. He returned home and has spent his life farming. He has honored himself, his family and his county by an upright life. He has been active in the prosecution of this book.
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Whitener, D. W., en'isted June 6, '61; killed below Richmond. Wingate, Albert, enlisted June 6, '61; died Ju'y 13, '62.
Wilson, T. W., enlisted June 6, '61; promoted 2nd Lieutenant May 10, '62 and killed May 10, '64 at Spottsylvania Court House.
Whitener, G. W., enlisted September 1, '61; died September 20, '62 at Shepperdstown.
Weaver, John, enlisted March '62; died since the war in Ala. Weaver, J. S., enlisted July 8, '62; no record.
Whisenhunt, William, enlisted March 1, '62; prisoner May 12, '64; living, a farmer. (See sketch.)
WM. WHISANANT
Wm. Whisnant enlist- ed March 1st; pris- oner May 12, '64. This photo represents a man who began life with an axe after his return from the war. His father was a laboring man, who raised a large family, having three daughters, triplets, -and supported them mainly by rail splitting, at which he was a greater expert than Abe. Lincoln. On his return from the war, engaged in farming and soon after began the manufacture of lumber on a small scale. He be- gan to enlarge his busi- ness by buying timber land and manufacture it into lumber, and thus he continued until, today, Dec. 31, 1910, he owns more land in Jacob's Fork Township than any other man in the County, the lands lying on Jacob's Fork, containing nearly two thousand acres. He is one of the few clean men; he neither chews nor smokes tobacco, neither has he ever tasted liquor. He owes no man, but has a strong bank account. Let young men learn a lesson of energy and tact from this sketch.
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THE CATAWBA SOLEIER
Warlick, M. H., enlisted February 28, '62; wounded and died at Gettysburg. (See sketch.)
MAXWELL H. WAR- LICK
Maxwell H. Warlick enlisted February 28, 1863, in Company F, 23rd Regiment. He was wounded at Gettysburg August 1, 1863. He died at Point Lookout, where he was a captive. He was nursed by a Federal officer, Benj. O. Wade, who wrote his father of his trium- phant death, and sent him a lock of his hair and his bible.
Workman, Daniel, enlisted March 5, '62; died in 1908.
Whitener, Newton, enlisted March 10, '62; wounded at Chan- cellorsville. (See sketch.)
Yoder, A. M., enlisted September 1, '61; wounded three times, killed May 10, '64 at Spottsylvania.
Yoder, Robert, enlisted September 1, '63; killed May 10, '64 at Spottsylvania. Father and son buried in same grave.
Cobb, Columbus, enlisted in '62; died in the war.
Whitener, John A., enlisted February '65; died in 1908 in Hickory.
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NEWTON WHITENER
Newton Whitener, son of Phillip Whitener, and Malinda Gross Whi- tener, entered the ser- vices in Co. F. 23rd Re- giment, soon after its organization. He i said to be the Bravest of The Brave. At one time, in the thickest of the battle, he mounted the breastworks and told his comrades behind to load guns; he would do the shooting, and thus levelled many a Federal.
He was captured at Chancellorsville, and re- mained a prisoner until the close of the war. Some years ago, at one of the Hickory Fairs, Col. Gaither Hall, boast- ed his pedestrain feats, and offered a wager to any one who could out- walk him around the race track. Newton Whitener accepted the chal- lenge, and came out far ahead of Hall, holding aloof the five dollar bill in great glee. He has been a hard worker all his life, and is now old and feeble being in his 74 th year.
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COMPANY C, 28TH REGIMENT VOLUNTEERS
Company C, 28th Regiment Volunteers, was organized by Thos. L. Lowe at Newton, N. C., in the summer of 1861, numbering about 130 men. Left Newton August 13th, went to High Point, was organized into the 28th Regiment, and left there that fall to go into winter quarters at Wil- mington. Remained there during the winter of 1861 guard- ing that section of the coast. In the spring of 1862 was called to Newbern, arrived there just in time to be in the evacuation, as Burnside's Fleet was already landing. We marched back to Kinston and there was organized into Branche's Brigade. After a short stay there we were called to Richmond, Va., and there organized into Gen. A. P. Hill's division and later, into Gen. Stonewall Jackson's corps, and then was engaged in the battle at Hanover Court House, where we had a sharp fight with the enemy. After this fight we took up camp west of Richmond, and then, on the 26th of June, we broke camp, crossed the Chickahominy and engaged McClelland's army on their right flank on Thursday evening above Mechanicsville, and was in all the great Seven Days battles-at Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Frazier's Farm and Malvern Hill from June 26th to July 1st, 1862. Was engaged in battle every day until the next Tues- day evening at Malvern Hill where McClelland's army, after a dreadful defeat, took shelter under cover of their gun boats on the James River, July 1st. This is known as the Seven Days battles around Richmond. Federal losses were over twenty thousand. Confederate losses were nineteen thousand, five hundred and thirty-three. (See Life of Gen. Lee, page 166.)
McClelland's army numbered about two hundred thous- and troops, well armed, well equipped, well drilled and was inspected just before the battle by an English officer and pronounced to be the finest army in the world. We defeat- ed this grand army of Gen. McClelland, this "young Napo- lean," as Gen. Lee called him, "met his Waterloo." After
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a short stay in camp, east of Richmond, the first Maryland campaign was planned. And then taking up a long line of march, encountering the enemy at Cedar Run, where we had a sharp fight, defeating the enemy and driving them from the field. This was the 7th, 8th and th of August. Federal losses were one thousand and eight hundred. Con- federate losses were one thousand, three hundred and fourteen. Continuing our march, we arrived at Manassas and engaged the Federal troops in battle. After two hard days fighting, we won a complete victory, driving the enemy in the direction of Washington. This is known as the sec- ond Manasses, or Bull Run battle. Hill's men fought with rocks from a railroad cut. Many men were killed by having their skulls broken with rocks. Federal losses were seven- teen thousand; Confederate losses eight thousand. This was like unto the first Manasses battle.
When Scott and Wool did at us pull, Across the country level,
We met them there and fought them fair, And whipped them like the devil.
Continuing our march, we encountered the Federals at Ox Hill, near Leesburg. After a hard fight we drove the enemy from the field. After this battle, we crossed the Po- tomac River near Leesburg into Maryland, making a little stop at Fredrick, Md., and planting a battery on the hill directed solid shot against a railroad bridge. It soon yielded to our shots and tumbled into the stream. Continuing our march through Maryland, crossing the Potomac River back into Virginia near Williamsport, marching down the river via. Martinsburg to Harpers Ferry capturing about twelve thous- and troops, and more arms and ammunition than we could get away with. This was a very important place as the United States had an arsenal here. It was also noted as the place where John Brown raised the first insurrection. John Smith first settled Virginia at Jamestown. John Brown first unsettled it at Harpers Ferry.
Now for Sharpsburg or Antietum. Then a double quick up the river to Shepard's town, crossing the Potomac River back into Maryland, engaging the enemy so as to re- lieve Gen. Longstreet and D. H. Hill who were in a deadly struggle with the enemy, with-driving them from the field that night. Federal losses eighteen thousand, Confederate three thousand. Crossing the Potomac at Shepard's Town, the enemy following us. We fought them to a finish, back
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in and across the river. The broad surface of the Potomac was floating with dead bodies. Federal losses were three thousand, Confederate losses two hundred and sixty-one. We then tore up the Baltimore and Ohio railroad near Martinsburg; then took up camp at Bunkers Hill. After a short stay there, the cry was "for Fredricksburg." We broke camp at Bunker Hill and marched up through the Shenandoah Valley, where the destruction of war was visible everywhere. Crossing the Shenandoah River near Winches- ter, winding our way up the mountains, a distance of about nine miles, I saw we had reached the top. The army halt- ed, and as I looked around me, I saw the cloud capped mountains of the Blue Ridge heaving her lofty peaks and smoky terits in the very clouds of heaven and basking her towering spires in the dazzling sunlight of eternal day. As we looked back over the blood stained valley, we beheld the Shenandoah, as she rolled her sporting waters through the valley, fertilizing thousands of acres of the most productive land, and yielding broad fields of sparkling water for the broad-billed duck and silver-scaled fish. Oh, what a scene! A valley once of peace and plenty now all laid to waste and dessolation. Now continuing our long and tedious march, we arrived at Fredricksburg and engaged the Federals in battle on December 13, 1862, and after a hard fought battle defeated the Federals, driving them back across the Rap- pahannock River. I shall never forget the scene of the women and children as they passed through our lines, some with babies in their arms. What became of them I never. knew. Confederates lost four thousand, two hundred and one, Federals lost twelve thousand, three hundred and twenty-one. Then we went in camp below Fredricksburg for the winter of 1862-63.
Breaking camp in the spring of '63, we arrived at Chancelorsville and engaged the Federals in battle on the 2nd and 3rd of May. This proved to be one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Gen. Stonewall Jackson was wounded on the evening of the 2nd, and died at Guinea Station on Sunday, May 10th. I shall never forget that memorable day-May 3rd. The second shell that was thrown from the enemy busted in our ranks, just to my left. I turned my
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eyes and saw the mangled bodies of Marcus Seitz, Jones Smyre and Laban Yount-all perished- and Solomon Honey- cutt badly wounded. This impressiveness of my surround- ings hushed my voice and filled my eyes with tears. Leav- ing our dead behind
Steadily we step adown the slope; Steadily we climb the hill; Steadily we load, steadily we fire, Marching right onward still.
Confederate losses were ten thousand, two hundred and eighty-one, Federal losses were seventeen thousand, one hundred and ninety-seven. The writer of this sketch had his right arm broken in front of the Chancelorsville House, near the plank road. Now a second invasion of the North was planned. Leaving Chancelorsville, crossing the Blub Ridge and the Shenandoah river, marching down the valley, driving the Federal scouts out of the way. Crossing the Patomac near Williamsport, we marched through Mary- land, arriving at Gettysburg, Pa., and engaging the Fed- erals on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This battle was one of the most deadly conflicts of the Civil war. The map of the battle field shows that Lane's Brigade went as far as the farthest. Losses in the battle of Gettysburg were heavy on both sides. Confederate losses were over twenty thousand, Federal losses were twenty-three thousand, one hundred and ninety.
We withdrew from the battle field on July 4th, and in returning from that great battle, we intercepted the Feder- als at Falling Waters. After a sharp fight we gave the Federals to understand that we only wanted time to recross the Potomac back into Virginia. And after a strenuous march we finally arrived at Liberty Mills, near Gordons- ville, and went into camp for the winter of 1863-64. After spending the winter here, we broke camp on May 1st, and on the 5th, 6th and 7th, we engaged the Federals in the Wilderness. True the name; a wilderness it was. After three days battling with the enemy we were led out of the Wilderness-not by Joshua of old, but by Gen. Robt. E. Lee, -but only to be engaged in a more 'deadly conflict at Spottsylvania Court House on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th
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of May, it being the fortune, or misfortune, as it was, on the 12th, for the 28th Regiment to be placed where they fell into that historic bloody angle where hand to hand con- flicts ensued, and where blood flowed like water. No wonder Gen. Sherman's definition of war was "hell." In the bat- tles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, Gen. Grant's losses, since passing the Rapidam, from May 4th to May 16th, were more than forty thousand men. In Spot- tsylvania county there were five great battles fought: The first and second Fredricksburg, Chancelorsville, Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. All in a radius of fifteen miles. Men gave their lives by the thousands and poured out their blood in torrents. We have nothing in history to
equal it. This Regiment, the 28th, Lane's Brigade, was in all these battles and suffered heavily, and was compliment- ed highly by Gen. A. P. Hill and Gen. Lane for their bravery and good behavior.
Now the march to Chickahominy on May 21st, 1864. Gen. Grant withdrew from Spottsylvania and commenced his move towards Richmond; Gen. Lee moving paralel with the enemy, determined to'force him east of Richmond. We had a sharp engagement at North Anna river and near Noel's Station on the 22nd and 23rd of May, also at Jericho Ford. Arriving on June 2nd at Cold Harbor Ridge, and on the morning of the 3rd, just at the break of day, there was just light enough to guide the troops, the second great bat- tle of Cold Harbor Ridge began. This was the same ground that was contested by Gen. Lee and McClelland two years pre- vious. A fearful struggle took place in the works soon after the battle began. The enemy was repulsed time after time and driven back with fearful loss. The attack ended at 12 o'clock. Every attack of the enemy had been successful- ly repelled, and the battle closed with the Confererates in full posession of their works. Confederate losses were twelve hundred, Federal losses thirteen thousand. This ended the campaign north of the James river. The Federal losses since the passing of the Rapidan river were more than sixty thousand men, ten thousand more than Lee's total strength. Confederate losses eighteen thousand.
Passing south of the James River, we took up our posi-
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tion in front of Petersburg where we were in many hard fought battles during the summer, fall and winter of 1864 and 1865, until the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond on April 2rd 1865. One of our hardest fought battles in defence of Petersburg was on July 25th 1864 at Ream's and Malone's stations. Heath's division and Lane's Brigade were advanced under cover of guns of Pegram's battery, until directly in front of the works, when a rush was made which resulted in the capture of the whole line-not however, be- fore the enemy had been driven off in a desperate hand to hand struggle in the works, in which clubs, muskets and bayonets were used freely. The Confederate losses were seven hundred and twenty. Federal losses two thousand. After retiring from this battle constant skirmishing occurred between the two armies, and many sharp encounters took place between the hostill cavelry forces, the most brilliant of all those affairs was the dash made by Gen. Hampton into the Federal lines in September. It was known that Gen. Grant had a large drove of cattle grazing in Prince George county. This information was gained by Gen. Hampton from a letter to Gen. Grant which he intercepted. The letter stated that the cattle had been sent to the neighborhood of Sycamore Church, and that they were in splended condition. Hampton, at once, determined to secure the beeves which were much needed by our army. Hampton leaving Peters- burg on the 14th of September and ariving at Sycamore Church; and, at daylight on the morning of the 16th, he sur- prised and stormed this position, capturing the works and camp of the enemy and three hundred prisoners and all the cattle, about twenty-five hundred in number were secured. And the object of the expedition being accomplished, Hamp- ton set off on his return. Fitzhuhg Lee brought up the rear, the captured cattle marching between. The beeves stretch- ed out over a line of four miles, but were skilfully handled. And from time to time, he had to drive off the enemy's cave- lry on his way back. He finally succeeded in reaching Peters- burg safely with all his captures at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, having lost only fifty men during the expedition. This was the greatest cattle victory during the war. A nice presentation of Hampton to the hungry Confederates. Steak
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
for breakfast, steak for dinner and steak for supper.
And now during the remainder of the fall and winter of 1864 and 1865, we were in all the principal battles and witnessed all the principal events up to the blowing up of the great tunnel which formed a crater and looked like a second Mount Vesuvious where the negro troops with the whites rushed in to break our line. But our artillery being trained on the crater, mowed them down by the hundreds. They were caught in their own death trap. Now the eva- cuation of Petersburg and Richmond. On the morning of the 2nd of April, Lee had decided to abandon the cities he . had so long defended. As we passed out and looked back we saw that which added more to the horror, destruction-great clouds of smoke go up from the two great cities, where men poured out their life's blood and perished by the tens of thousands. We saw our fate was sealed, our cause lost. Now our last retreat back to Appomattox court house, where Gen. Lee surrendered the remnant of the grandest army of fighting men the world ever produced.
Now in conclusion, I will say the war between the States was undoubtedly one of the most interesting events in the pages of modern history. Being a veteran of the Civil war, I could mention many thrilling narrations of battle scenes, daring adventures, narrow escapes and feats of personal prowess during the war-all tending to make indelible im- pressions upon the tablets of memory.
The writer feels a willingness to contribute his mite to the store of accumulated materials relating to the Confeder- ate soldiers now waiting to be molded into finished historic shape by one of her gifted sons. Our flag of the Confeder- acy is furled, and will live in song and story, though its folds are in the dust.
This company met their responsibilities and performed their duties faithfully and courageously; and on all occasions when the fire of the battles spread its deadly pall over the battle fields, they proved to be as brave as the bravest.
J. P. LITTLE
1st Lieut. and Ensign, Co. C, 28 Regt.
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COMPANY C. 28TH REGIMENT. OFFICERS.
Lowe, Thos. L., Capt .; commissioned August 31; promoted August 13, '61; promoted Major September 21, '61; died in the war. (See sketch and Photo.)
THOMAS L. LOWE
Col. Thos. L. Lowe was born April 27th 1831. He remained with his father, Isaac Lowe, on the farm until 16 years of age. He went to Charlotte and engag- ed as clerk for Williams & Co., and remained there four years, during which time he taught penmanship, which was remunerative. He came home and by the aid of his father he entered Catawba College in 1852. During his college course, he became quite a writer and speaker. In the fall of 1854, he taught school near Lin- colnton. In April 6th 1854 he was married to Anna D. Coulter. After that he became a per- manent resident of Ca- tawba County, teaching school and surveying. When the call came for volunteers in 1861, he made up a company of 130 Catawba boys and was mustered into service. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel when his company was formed into the 28th regiment. He held this command until his death which occurred six miles beyond Richmond at the resi- dence of Dr. Bulock. His body was brought home and buried in the historic grave yard at Grace Church, and which is marked by a monument. A great soldier fell before the enemy, death in the very sun light of a bright future.
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