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 15
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led, and thribled, if the proper preparation of the soil be made, and the right kind of cultivation given throughout the season. He resigned, this office, (after serving acceptably, both with the Dept. at Washington, and with the best farmers of his county, about March 1st, 1911.
He is still the Sec. Treas. and Local Agt. and business manager of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Ins. in Catawba & Burke counties. Being elected to succeed himself, at each annual meeting of the Catawba & Burke Branch, since first placed in this responsible office.
Brother Abernethy, as he is usually called, has been a steward in the M. E. Church, South, for more than forty years, as well as a Local preacher. And has been holding services, keeping up regular appoint- ments at the County Home, once a month, for about twenty years. And for many years has made it a habit, to make up, and carry a treat to the inmates twice a year. (Viz: Christmas and Easter.)
He tries to be useful in every sphere of life, when and wherever he can do good. Idleness or inactivity has no place in his life. And when- ever he can lift humanity to something better, he is always ready, and consequently, never finds himself out of a "job"
M. R. BOST
M. R. Bost enlisted in Company E, 32nd Regiment some time after the war began. He was a quiet good soldier, preforming his duty well. After the war he engaged in farm- ing and is still living near Maiden, Catawba county, and is a worthy citizen respected by his community.
Bailey, George, enlisted April 26, '61; he died since the war.
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Bradburn, James M., enlisted April 26, '61; he was a farmer, and died at his home some time about 1892.
Conrad, John, enlisted April 25, '61; he was captured and paroled; he is still living.
Conrad, Daniel, enlisted April 26, '61; he died August 21, '62.
Crawford, Jeff., enlisted August 14, '61; he was dis- charged June 8, '62 for disability; he died by homicide since the war.
Daily, Abram, enlisted November 27, '61; he died July 4, '62.
Dellinger, John H., enlisted April 27, '61; he was cap- tured, but survived the war, and died at his home in 1908.
Dellinger, James, enlisted January 1, '63; he was wound- ed at Gettysburg, captured, but survived the war, and is still living.
Eaton, James A., enlisted April 27, '61 ; he was seriously wounded at Spottsylvania on May 10, '64; he was a brave soldier, walking off of the battlefield, carrying his gun with him, refusing to let the enemy have it; he moved from Catawba County since the war, but we think he is still living.
Edwards, Spencer, enlisted April 20, '63; he took sick and died soon after crossing back from Gettysburg fight.
Ennis, J., enlisted April 10, '64, and was taken prisoner.
Fish, Bryson, enlisted April 13, '63; he survived the war, and is still living.
Goodman, Martin, enlisted August 14, '61; he died dur- ing the war.
Harwell, Carnie, enlisted February 25, '63; he died dur- ing the war.
Harwell, Elihu, enlisted August 14, '61; he died of wounds he received, October 4, '63.
Hefner, Franklin, enlisted October 18, '62; he was wounded July 1, '63, from which wound he died.
Howard, Levi, enlisted April 27, '61; he was captured, and no further account can be given.
Howard, Nelson, enlisted April 27, '61; he was killed at Spottsylvania C. H.
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Hill, Henry D., enlisted December 1, '61; after the war, he was licensed to preach; he went to Texas and entered some Conference there.
Hill, Jacob, enlisted February 25, '63 ; he died may 12, '63. Hunsucker, James, enlisted December 1, '61; he died No- vember 12, '62.
Ervin, John B., enlisted April 27, '61; he was promoted to Sergeant, but was later discharged for disability ; he died of cancer since the war.
James, William, enlisted December 1, '61; he went West after the war, and was lost sight of.
Jones, Alfred, enlisted September 20, '61 ; he was wound- ed at Gettysburg; after the war, he went West and was lost sight of.
Jones, Burton, enlisted September 20, '61; he went West and was lost sight of.
Jones, Manuel, enlisted September 20, '61; he went West and we can learn nothing further of him.
Jones, Marcus, enlisted September 20, '61; he was pro- moted to Sergeant; he moved West and was lost sight of.
Jones, Levi A., enlisted December 1, '61; he died of tuberculosis since the war, and is buried by the roadside near the Old Huitt Mill, between Newton and Anderson's Mountain.
Kale, Henderson, enlisted April 27, '61 ; he died since the war.
Kale, Noah, enlisted October 1, '62; he was taken pris- oner; we think he is still living.
Killian, Noah, enlisted October 15, '62; he died December 14, '63.
Lael, Calvin, enlisted December 1, '61; he survived the war and is still living.
Long, William Alex., enlisted April 27, '61; he was pro- moted Sergeant, and killed at Spottsylvania C. H.
Moore, William, enlisted Apri 27, '61 ; he is still living.
Moore, Philo, enlisted August 14, '61; he died since the war.
Mize, Lafayette, enlisted April 27, '61; he was promoted Sergeant, and afterwards captured; he died but recently.
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Moss, Julius A., enlisted August 14, 61; he survived the war, and made his living on the farm; he died of cancer a few years ago.
Moss, William, enlisted August 14, '61; he was killed at Spottsylvania C. H.
Miller, Andrew, enlisted April 27, '61; he was a German, and a good soldier ; he survived the war, dying in 1908.
Pope, John, enlisted April 27, '61; he was once captured ; he returned home, and died since the war.
Parker, David, enlisted October 15, '62; he came home and is still living in South Carolina.
Robinson, Newton, enlisted February 26, '63; he was once captured. (See sketch.)
NEWTON ROBINSON.
A brother of James F. Robinson, of Co. A. 12th N. C. (who was killed at Spottsylvania Court House May 1864) was born near Sherrill's Ford Catawba Co. in 1844: Volunteered in Co. F. 32 N. C. Regiment, was a true soldier, was in all the battles with his company up to the battle of Petersburg where he was captured, and remained a prisoner of war until after the surrender. Robinson removed to Iredell Co. some years ago, and is still living.
Sherrill, W. P., enlisted April 27, '61; he was promoted Sergeant, but died in prison after the Gettysburg battle.
Sigmon, John C., enlisted April 27, '61 ; he was promoted Corporal, and taken prisoner; he returned home and died in 1909.
Sherrill, Thomas, Sr., enlisted April 27, '61; he sur- vived the war, and went West, where he still lives.
Sherrill, Thomas, Jr., enlisted February 25, '63; he went to South Carolina or Georgia after the surrender, and was lost sight of.
Sherrill, Nicholas, enlisted August 14, '61; he was cap- tured and died in prison.
Sherrill, Alexander, enlisted August 14, '61; he died July 7, '62.
Sigmon, J. A., enlisted April 27, '61; he is still living.
Shook, Daniel, enlisted August 14, '61 ; he was discharged For disability ; he died since the war.
Slewman, Chas., enlisted August 14, '61; he was pro- moted Commissary Sergeant; he survived the war, teach-
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ing school and doing carpenter work; he died some years ago.
Sutton, Frank, enlisted August 14, '61; he was dis- charged for disability, and died since the war.
Wilson, Pink E., enlisted December 14, '61; he survived the war, but has since been lost sight of.
Witherspoon, Henry, enlisted August 14, '61, and was promoted Corporal; he died August 24, '63.
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COMPANY K. 35 REGIMENT C. TROOPS By C. L. HAWN
In writing the sketch of this company, the writer will not promise a correct history of the company, as he was not one of the original number of the company, having enlisted March 1st 1864.
Suffice to say, the company was organized on Oct. 15th 1861, in the town of Hickory, N. C., when it was a wilder- ness. According to Moore's roster of N. C. T. the total rank and file of this company, from first to last, was 156 men. It was made up from the western part of Catawba and east- ern part of Burke Counties.
Dr. James R. Ellis, who had just settled down in the little village of Hickory tavern (as it was then called) to practice medicine, was elected captain. Pinkney Warlick, first Lieutenant; Dr. James T. Johnson, second Lieutenant; (he was then a young medical student, just from Medical College of Baltimore, Md., having come home from College to share the hardships of war with his countrymen.)
Wm. Hale Jr, Second Lieutenant (By the way, this gal- lent young officer was killed at Newburn, N. C. March 14th 1862, he being the first person killed in the war from Ca- tawba County).
At the organization of the Regiment Nov. 8th 1861, Capt. James R. Ellis was appointed surgeon of the Regiment; Dr. James T. Johnson was elected Captain and his brother Phil. J. Johnson, was elected first Lieutenant.
After the battle of Newbern, N. C., upon the death of Lieutenant Hale, Julius E. Link was elected Second Lieut. At the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1st 1862, this gallant young officer was killed. Pinkney Berry was promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant.
At the battle of Fredricksburg, Va. Dec. 13, 1862, Maj. John M. Kelly was killed, and Captain James T. Johnson was promoted Maj by seniority, and Phil. J. Johnson was promoted Captain of the Company. Pinkney Berry first
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Lieutenant; J. M. Rocket Second Lieutenant; and D. P. Glass, Jr. second. At the battle of Bermuda Hundreds May 20th 1864, Lieutenant Rockett was killed. Lieutenant Glass was promoted, and J. S. Ward was elected Jr. second. At the battle of Five Forks, April 1st, 1865, Lieutenant Glass was killed.
The organization of the 35th Regiment, Nov. 8th 1861, was at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh. The result of this was the appointment of Rev. James Sinclair, Col .; Marshall D. Craton; Lieutenant Col .; Oliver Cromwell Petway; Maj .; Capt. James R. Ellis, of Co. K, was appointed Surgeon of the Regiment; Second Lieutenant, Cader G. Cox, of Co. A. Ass't Surgeon; First Lieutenant, Wm. M. Black, of Co, quarter master; First Lieutenant, John P. Kennedy, of Co. I, commissary; T. J. Oats, Adjutant.
Jan. 3rd 1862, the Regiment was sent to Newburn, N. C. At the Battle of Newburn, March 14th, 1862, was the first engagement the regiment was in. It was placed on the left of the militia. The Federal Commander, seeing a weakness at this point, made an assault on the militia and broke the line, which left the 35th subject to a flank fire, and they fell back in disorder. That it was attributed to leadership, that the 35th Regiment did not behave better on this its first field of battle, is established by the fact that in every subse- quent battle of the war in which it was directly or remotely connected, it never failed to act in such a manner as to de- serve and win the encomiums of its commanding officers, and that the conduct of their Col. and Lieutenant Col. at Newburn was such as to cause the officers to loose all confi- dence in their military capacity to lead them, is evidenced by the fact, that, at the re-organization of the Regiment April 10th, 1862, neither of these officers were re-elected.
At the re-organization of the Regiment, Matt. W. Ran- son, the gallant soldier, eminent statesman and brilliant or- ator, (at that time Lieutenant Col. of the first N. C. Regi- ment) was elected Col .; Maj. Patway Lieutenant Col .; and Capt John G. Jones, of Co. E., Maj. This completed the re- organization of the Regiment for the war.
Col. Ransom appointed his regimental state, namely: Dr. Chas. J. O. Hagan Surgeon; Capt. Nicholas M. Long,
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quarter master; (who resigned in Dec. 1862 and was succeed- ed by Capt. Joseph M. Rodgers) ; Dr. Charles J. Gee, com- misary; Mr. Nelson, of Waynes, Co. Adjutant; (this gentle- man resigned in 1862. His successor being Lieutenant Walter Clark, a school boy of 14 years of age; in Nov. 1861 this remarkable boy whom they called little Clark, became drill master for the second time at camp Mangum and acting Adjutant of the 35th Regiment. He went through the first Maryland campaign serving with great distinction. On going into the battle of Sharpsbury Sept. 16th, 1862, all the field officers, except Clarke, had dismounted, when a big fellow from McDowell Co., "Bill Hall" as the writer recalls ran up to him and yelled "Get down off this horse you little focl or you will get killed" He was wounded in this battle, and on a later occasion, as he and Col. Matt Ransom were rid- ing along together, a shell from a battery exploded so near him as to make his escape from death almost Miraculous. A volume might be written about the career of this great son of Carolina, who at the age of 17 became a Lieutenant Col. of A Regiment and who, since the surrender, in every crisis has born himself as a wise and faithful leader of his State and of the South; to whose untiring labor and unflagging de- votion is due the preservation of the splendid records of our people, and who, as jurist, historian, statesman, man of letters, social and political philosopher, is one of the most versatile, if not the most versatile and gifted, of all living North Carolinians.
The Regiment remained in N. C. after the reorganization until June 1862. It was ordered to Va. and was engaged in some small minor engagements in and around the battle of Seven Pines from the 25th to the 28th of June. It was en- gaged in that memorable charge at Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862. Here its Gallant Col., Matt W. Ransom. was twice wounded, first through the right arm and then in the right side by a piece of shell. Turning over the command to Lieu- tenant Col. Petway, Col. Ransom lay on the field, to hear in a few minutes of his gallant Lieutenant Col. being killed, leading the Regiment up the hill. Here fell Lieutenant Julius E. Link, Joseph Aiken, Harrison Sides and Captain James T. Johnson was severely wounded; and many other
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of Co. K. Probably no Regiment of magruders command suffered more in killed and wounded than the 35th. Being its first battle after Newburn, N. C., then and there esta- blished its reputation for unsurpassed fortitude and intre- pity in battle-a reputation maintained from Malvern Hill to Appomattox.
Maj. John G. Jones now became Lieutenant Col .; Capt. John M. Kelly of Co. C. Maj., by promotion. On the 27th of August the Regiment left Richmond on route to join Lee's army in the Maryland campaign, wading the Potomac river Sept. 7th, 1862, at Cheek's Ford. On the 11th, we recross- ed at Point of Rocks, and marched to Harper's Ferry; shelled the enemy until that place surrendered, Sept. 15th. That night we marched towards Shepardstown. At one a. m., on the 16th, crossed the Potomac the third time in nine days. At three a. m., Sept. 17th, 1862, the Regiment was marched to take its position in line for the great battle of Sharpsburg. The Regiment held a very important posi- tion. It was here Col. Ransom carried the colors and charg- ed and took a battery, and had to abandon it on account of a flank fire. It was here Stonewall Jackson came on the scene and ask Ransom to try and retake it, and Ransom told him that he could take it, but could not hold it. It was here private Wm. H. Hood of Co. H. climbed the hickory tree and counted 30 battered flags supporting the battery.
The next engagement was Dec. 11th, 1862, at Fredericks- burg, Va. Here the 35th was posted behind a stone wall and did not suffer so severely. Maj. John M. Kelly was kill- ed and Capt. James T . Johnson of Co K. was promoted Maj. By seniority and first Lieutenant P. J. Johnson of Co. K. Capt.
In the winter of 1862 and '63 the Regiment took up its march through Richmond, and took the cars at Petersburg for Kemansville, N. C. Here Adjutant Walter Clarke re- signed, and on May 13th, 1863, Lieut. Robt. B. Peebles of Co. E. 56th Regiment was appointed to succeed him. In his Jr. year, Peoples left the university where he was making a brilliant record to join the Co., then being raised in his home county of Northampton. From this time forth he was practically in every battle or skirmish in which his Regiment
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was engaged, and they were many; And in the most trying crisis, he always bore himself as a man of fine presence of mind and superb courage. There was no braver man in either army. When Lee surrendered at Appomattox, he was Captain and Ass't. Adjt. Gen. on Gen. Matt Ransom's staff, having been deservedly promoted from time to time. Peebles is another splendid soldier, whose military career deserves a much more detailed and extended history than space here will permit. One of the greatest lawyers our state has pro- duced, now serving his second term as Superior Court Judge, - sometimes partisan, but always bold and incorrup- tible. The only criticism made by lawyers against him is that he can hardly keep out of the fight. This is not to be wondered at, for he is a born fighter. His record in war and in peace adds lustre to his state.
The Regiment in the spring of 1863 was in the Dep't of N. C., Gen. D. H. Hill commanding, and stationed at diffe- rent times at Goldsboro, Kinston and Wilmington.
About the first of June, 1863, it was ordered to Virginia and camped near Petersburg. On the 15th of June, Col. Matt. W. Ransom was promoted to Brig. Gen .; Lieutenant Col. Jones now became Col .: Maj. James T. Johnson, Lieu- tenant Col .; Capt. S. B. Taylor, of Co. A. Maj. by seniorty. On the 27th July, 1863 the Regiment and brigade had a sharp engagement at Boon's Mill, in less than two miles of Gen. Ransom's home. The sound of the guns, tremblingly listen- ed to by his delicate wife and small children, -Just imagine their feeling. During the winter of '63 and '64, the brigade was assigned back to the Dep't of N. C.
The 35th Regiment was on post duty, at Hamilton, N. C. on the Roanoke River, Co. K. being on picket duty at Foster's Mills, in Martin Co.,
On April 16th, we broke camp at Foster's Mills and set out for Plymouth, N. C. On the night of the 17th 1864 we slept within a few miles of the town, and was awakened on the morning of the 18th by the Federal sunrise gun in the town. We took up march and landed in sight of the forti- fications in a few hours. That evening (April the 18th), we were formed in line of battle; there was some sharp skirmi- shing and some artillery firing when Gen. Ransom appeared
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on the scene in his usual polite way taking off his hat: "There is a fort over there I want taken tonight, and I want you men of the 35th to take it" (Just imagine the feeling of a lad 17 years old!) We were ordered forward March; went in under a heavy artillery fire, our light artillery following. We were between the fort and our artillery for some three hours that night. When things quieted down and we came out, the result was a faint move for Gen. Hoke to take 85th Redoubt. On the 19th, we were moved around in front of the works viewing the situation by the officers. The writer remembers Gen. Hoke and staff out in front with an eye glass, when there was a shot fired from Fort Williams. The ball fell right under Hoke's horse and came bouncing down the line where we were lying down. Late in the evening of April 19th, we made a circuitous route to the east end of town. After a sharp skirmish, Gen. Ransom forced his way across Coneby Creek, a narrow but deep stream, by laying down a pontoon bridge. The brigade was marched over and formed in line of battle and lay down to rest. The line of pickets were sent out and a sharp skirmish resulted. We were far enough away that the Yankee bullets would fall down as they hit a board fence in our front. We fully rea- lized the situation. Next morning (the 20th,) just at the break of day, Gen. Matt W. Ransom was in the saddle; we heard his ringing voice, come down the line; "Attention!" Also, by Col. J. G. Jones of the 35th, and Capt. P. J. John- son of Co. K .; "Forward March"! As we went up through an open field, it was a dreadful sight to behold. Our artillery, just in our rear, firing over us, and the Federal forts be- Iching on us. The writer would compare it to a big new ground on fire.
Fort Comfort was the first works taken by the 35th. Company K. came up right in front of the fort, as was evi- denced by her dead around the fort. The Regiment was divided by passing around the fort, and got somewhat con- fused, as the report was that Col. Jones was killed. About this time Gen. Ransom came on the ground mounted, and in his usual polite way, taking off his hat; "I am here with you boys. Attention 35th"; and we passed on through the streets to fort Williams. The engagement here was fierce for
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awhile, and our loss was heavy. Finally, we fell back. Gen. Ransom signaled the Ram Albermarle to advance up the river which was done. About the third shot, the commander of the fort ran down the stars and stripes, which were about 18 feet long, and ran up the white flag. This was a bad day for the 35th. The loss was 20 killed and 88 wounded. Com- pany K's loss was 7 killed and 21 wounded. The killed were: Geo. L. Abernethy, David Denton. P. H. Moore, F. W. Con- nelly, P. Sidney Whitener, Daniel H. Whitner and John C. Whisnant.
From Plymouth, we went to Washington, N. C., where the commander evacuted the place and set fire to it; from there by way of Greenville, Pollecksville on to Newburn, N. C. Having captured all the out post there with every prospect of success, Gen. Hoke under orders from Davis to return to Va., withdrew his command and reached Peter- sburg May 10th, 1864. On May 13th, while occupying the outer line of works at Drewys Bluff, the Regiment had some sharp fighting with Butler's advance. Company K. of the 35th was on picket duty east of the bluff at this time. On the evening of the 14th, we were charged by a line of battle from Butler's army and driven back under a heavy fire after our amunition was exhausted. In passing around the hill, Anderson Ward was mortally wounded and died in a few days, H. C. Sigmon was slightly wounded on the thumb. There were five companies, one from each Regiment in this skirmish line, under the command of Maj. Grady of the 25th N. C. Regiment. He marched us back to the rear and we lay down and rested for the night. Next morning (the 15th) we joined the Regiment on the R. R. between Richmond and Petersburg, Va. On the evening of the 15th, Maj. Gen. Robt. Ransom arrived from Richmond; on the morning of the 16th, we were marched out from the work. Gen. Robt. Ransom opened the ball down the south side of the James River. The 35th was in the second line, and did not get in the engagement. The writer well remembers seeing the 25th Regiment moving out in line of battle on the right flank in double quick. Bayonetts glistening in the rising sun, and colors flying. I do not think I ever saw anything that equal- led it. About this time, Maj. Gen. Robt. Ransom and his
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staff came riding down the turnpike road. Col. Rutlege of the 25th having command of the brigade, jelled out, "Three cheers for Gen. Ransom": You bet the 35th gave them. He captured everything from the turn pike to the river. He came up in the rear while they were looking for him in front, arms stacked in the works, guns cocked ready to use. Had Gen. Whiting came on from Petersburg with his fifteen thou- sand men, there would not have been enough of Butler's army left to tell the tale. So ended the Battle of Drewy's Bluff. Then we followed Butler on his retreat to Bermuda Hundred. On the 20th of May, 6 companies of the 35th were ordered to advance the picket line; this was done with heavy loss to the Regiment. Our color bearer and color guard were all cut down; Col. Jones took the colors in his own hands. Capt. Johnson of Co K. called for some one to take the colors from Col. Jones; A young lad by the name of Owens, who was Col. Jone's orderly took the colors from him. Lieutenant Col. Johnson was wounded and was absent from the Regi- ment for some time. Lieutenant J. M. Rocket of Co. K. was killed and several wounded. We were stationed here in the works for sometime. It was here the writer was detailed one evening to report at the Fort on James River with gun, etc, with instructions that an officer would be there to take charge of him.
I arrived there about dark. Presently an officer and citizen came up and asked me if I was the man sent here. I told them I was. He took my gun and looked at it, asked how many rounds of ammunition I had. I told him 50; he said "Don't Speak" and "Follow us". We went through our line and went down a Bluff to the edge of the water on James River where we were in hearing of the Federal Troops. They were moving South; we could hear them talking and the horses walking on the Pontoon Bridge. We were close to a Gun Boat which kept up a fire all night. We could see the flash of the guns and hear the shells go over in our lines. Stayed there until 3 or 4 o'clock next morning and came out. I never heard any talk about it. Am satisfied it was done to find out which way Grant's Army was moving. Some time in May or June, (the writer does not remember the date, ) the 35th was sent down on Chickahominy River below
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