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 22
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In 1870, he moved to Sedalia, Mo., where he lived until his death, March 5th, 1875.
Of this union, his wife and three children survive.
Connor, Roswell P., enlisted in the 6th North Carolina Regiment. (See sketch.)
Lowrance, Alfred A.
Witherspoon, Manse, enlisted in an Iredell County Com- pany ; he died at Manassas.
Killian, A. A., enlisted in the Palmetto Sharpshooters. (See sketch.)
Killian, D. E., enlisted in the Palmetto Sharpshooters.
Settlemyre, Julius, enlisted in the Spartanburg Rifles ; he is still living.
Hunsucker, Abel, enlisted in the 5th South Carolina Regiment; he is still living.
Hunsucker, Martin.
11TH REGIMENT, BETHEL.
Hahn, C. S. (See sketch.)
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
J. B. PARLIER
I was seventeen years old when I was forced to join, being the last year of the war. Our Captain (Stevenson) ordered us to go to Camp Vance. There we were drilled for three weeks. General Kirk captured us and sent us to winter quarters. Late one evening, Gen. Kirk or- dered us out, burning down the headquarters; also the depot.
We were then sent in a north direction, com- ing to the Catawba river, where 14 of us boys crossed the river in a bateau, all at the same time. It was about 12 o'clock at night when we crossed. Kirk took us up on a high ridge, keeping us there al night, being guarded by Kirk's men.
The next morning when we started to move, there were 28 Indians with Kirk, two Indians, to every twelve of us boys, in the line behind to guard us. We were again marched up on a high plane, Kirk riding back, giving orders to the Indians if any of us boys left the road three steps, to shoot us down. (Kirk was looking for the State Guards to attack him.) We had not gone very far when the Militia began on us. Here old Major Kirk was wounded; Here we all fled and ran upon a mountain, and here I go away. I went home, staying about a month and a half.
When we went back, we were sent to Salisbury; there I guarded the Yankees during three weeks' garrison. The next time we moved, we went to Fort Fisher; here we fought three days. Here, they told me, 260 shells fell in one minute, the Yankees firing with shot and shell in every direction. We were on the Island, t being one and a half miles wide.
Null, John T., enlisted March 30, '62.
Holsclaw, R., enlisted August 14, '62.
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER OF
ADOLPHUS D. LAIL
Adolphus D. Lail, Mark
Pope,
Raneus
Pope,
:
Adley Hollar, Noah McGee and Martin Hun- sucker all from Catawba County N C., while working in South Car olina, volunteered and joined the 5th and 6th S. C. Regiments.
Adolphas D. Lail volunteered the first day of April 1861 and joined the 6th South Carolina Regiment. He was at the bombardment of Fort Sumpter. Then he was transferred to the army of Northern Virginia in time to par- ticipate in the first bat- tle of Manassas. He was with the army of Virginia in the Mary- land campaign in 1862, and was at the battle of Fredricksburg. Then he went with Longstreets corps and was in the battle of Chickamagua in 1863. Then rejoined the army in Virginia in time to participate in the battle of the Wilderness, also the engagement at Spotsylvania Court House, and was at the entire seige of Petersburg. He was captured twice, first when wounded at Williamsburg he was taken a prisoner and carried to Washington and exchanged. The next time he was captured on the retreat from Richmond to Appomattox, on the 7th of April, 1865, and then taken to Newport News as a prisoner. He was wounded three times, first at Williamsburg, next at Sharps- burg, and lastly at Spottsylvania Court House. He came home and has followed the pursuit of agriculture, living the life of a worthy citizen. (The above picture is that of P. C. Lail and not Adolphus. The picture of Adolphus appears in another company with the sketch of P. C. Lail. We are very sorry of this error, but it came to our notice too late for correction. ) - Author.
12TH REGIMENT.
Miller, A. P., enlisted from Newton with the 17-year-old boys in Company F., 12th Regiment; he was a good soldier ; he is living in Kansas, and doing well.
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
R. P. CONNOR
Rowell P. Connor en- listed for services dur- ing April 1861 in a Com- pany from Burke County, and was a mem- ber of Company D. 6th North Carolina Regi- ment, which was or- ganized at the Company Shops, now Burlington, N. C. He was orderly Sergeant of the Com- pany during the whole period of his service, From Burlington they went to Raleigh to Win- chester Virginia, and then down to the first battle of Manassas in which they participated. He then went with his Company to Richmond and participated in the Seven days Fight. From there they marched to the second battle of Manassas in which he was killed.
Catawba County gave to the Confederate army several hundred magnificent soldiers, and from among this number the name of Rowell P. Connor stands out preemimently as one of the best and bravest. In the very prime of young manhood, he was killed in defending the homes and hearthstones of his own people.
Towering monuments nor earthly restitution can ever recompense them, but as long as there is a true Southern heart, the names and deeds of such as the above will live in memory, imperishable as the stars.
Miller, G. P., enlisted from Newton in the 12th Regi- ment, with the 17-year-old boys; he was a faithful soldier, and after the surrender, he moved to Kansas, where he now lives.
Propst, J. H., enlisted June 17, 62 in Company C., 12th Regiment.
Brock, H. N., enlisted in May, '64 in Company -, 12th Regiment.
346
THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
ALFRED A. KILLIAN
I was born April 17th, 1836, near Startown, was reared in this county on the farm, until 1854. I then went to South Carolina to work at the Carpenters' trade. I was there when the war commenced. I enlisted in Co. A. 5th S. C. Regiment., which left Union, S. C., on April 9th, 1861.
We got to Charleston just in time to hear them salute their colors, as they were taking them down at the time of the Surrender of Fort Sumpter. We were on Sullivan's Island about two months; then we went to Virginia and were in the first and second battles of Manas- sas, or Bull run; then the Seven Pines; then the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, and many others-about thirty in all, -besides skirmishes and bombard- ments. I was in all the battles that my regiment was and never wound- ed once.
At the Battle of Gains Mill, or Cold Harbor, after a hard battle, we broke through the Yankee lines and passed the 16th Michigan Regi- ment. They rolled up their co lars and undertook to march out refusing to unfurl their colors. We fired into them and killed and wounded the whole regiment, except about 20. We heard nothing more from that regiment until the surrender, when we stacked our arms in front of them at Appomattox.
I knew one young man who went into one of these Bomb Proofs at Petersburg the night of the Blow Up. He wasn't near enough to be blown up, but the dirt fell all over him and covered him. He heard a dim noise like shouting; he undertook to get out, but could not. He took his bayonet and dug until he could see the Yankee troops; then he pulled back and waited until they were driven away. Then he came out.
We went through some of the hardest battles in Virginia. The reason the Union army could not get to Richmond in '62, was: Because
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
they had-a Lane to go through; a Branch to cross; two Hills to climb a Picket to pass; a rough Field to get over, and a Long street to reach the end of. With all this trouble in front and a Stonewall in the rear, they had to take to the James river.
CHRISTIAN S. HAHN
Christian S. Hahn enlisted in the 11th Bethel Regiment under Capt. Haynes in 1862 When quite a boy, he entered the tannery at Lincolnton, N. C., where he served as an appren- tice, from which place he enlisted. He was severely wounded in four places at the battle of Gettysburg, and mained for life. Immediately after the war, he went west to Missouri and went into business, at which place he married. He raised a large family of unusually intelligent children, all of whom are doing well. After the death of his wife, his health, which was never good, commenced to fail rapidly, and although he went from place to place in hopes of gaining strength, he continued to grow worse, and in 1908, he quietly fell asleep,-the sleep that knows no waking. He was a good, quiet Christian man.
"Soldier, Rest! Thy warfare' o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking;
Dream of battle fields no more, Days of danger-nights of waking."
Chapman, W. L., enlisted in April, '61; he was promoted 1st Sergeant, and was once wounded.
Huffman, A. F., enlisted April 1, '64 in Company F., 12th Regiment.
Horne, W. W., enlisted in April, '64 in Company E., 12th Regiment.
Ingold, F. F., enlisted March 24, '64; he was wounded May 9, '64.
348
THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
FRANKLIN SETZER
The subject of this sketch was born in that section of Lincoln which was afterward formed into Catawba county. He came of that sturdy Dutch stock which, then as now, made up a large portion of its citizens. He voted against seces- sion, the writer of this sketch having often heard him make men- tion of that fact. He joined the Army of the Confederacy as a pri- vate in 1863, becoming member of Company "D" 49th Regiment North Carolina Cavalry, and remained in the ser- vice till the close of the war. His first service was in the mountains of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. One of the most interesting reminiscenses the writer ever heard him re- late was one of the capture, in East Tennessee mountains, of a Scouting party of which he was a member and which was commanded by General Robert Vance.
The scouting party had gone from Asheville to Seviersville, in Sevier county, Tennessee, where they captured a train of wagons and their drivers. On their return trip, they were pursued and overtaken by Federal soldiers, who greatly outnumbered the scouting party. After a stubborn resistance of a few moments duration, it was seen that the only way to escape certain death or capture was in flight. The Yankeys re- took all the scouting party had captured the day before in men and booty, save one man, who with Franklin Setzer and six of his comrades, escaped up the side of a steep, rugged mountain. In addition, about forty members of the scouting party were taken prisoners, among which number was General Vance.
Immediately following the above incident, he was orderedto Raleigh, and in the spring of 1864 was sent into Virginia, and took part in the strife on the bloody battle fields about Richmond, Petersburg, Drury's Bluff and others memorable for the slaughter of thousands, and as mark- ing the closing scenes of the war.
349
OF THE CIVIL WAR
He was scrupulously honest, an uncompromising Baptist, and a life- long Democrat. The old soldier no v peacefully sleeps on the hill-top, overlooking the acres for which he toiled.
GEO. W. COCHRAN
Among the thousands of young men who re- sponded to the call of the South in the sixties were four brothers from Catawba county :- Wil- liam, George Washing- ton Francis Marion and John T. Cochran, sons of Daniel Cochran, who was in turn the son of Daniel Cochran, a sold- ier of the Revolution. William and John enlist- ed in the cavalry; Geo. W. and Francis M. join- ed the infantry. The first two came through the war uninjured, but George W. lost a leg and Francis M. was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, and his body never seen. These two were twins and the unspeakable grief of the surviving one may be imagined.
When the war broke out, George W. was serving an apprenticeship with the late Daniel Finger, at his tanyard in Lincoln county; and until Mr. Finger released him, he could not enlist. As no company was form- ing in Catawba at the time of his release, he and his twin brother join- ed an Alexander company, at Statesville, and became members of Com- pany G, 37th North Carolina Volunteers, about the 1st of October, 1861. Their age was 21 years. They took their baptism of fire at New Berne, and until Chancellorsville served faithfully and bravely. There one met a soldier's death, breast to the foe, and the other lost his leg.
For 11 years after the war, he suffered from his wounds, but even- tually recovered. He served 16 years as register of deeds of Catawba county, and was honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens for his generous and kindly disposition and his sterling honesty. He married Miss Laura Puette of Caldwell county and reared a family of seven children. March 15, 1908, he passed away at his home in Newton, and was buried in that town.
350
THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
He was born September 3, 1840, in Stokes (now Yadkin) county, where his grandfather settled when he moved from London County, Va. In 1850 his father moved to the Perkins "Brick House" place, on the Catawba river, three miles from the town of Catawba, and there the family lived until the children were grown and were married.
T. B. LITTEN
T. B. Litten, 5th Ca- Ivary, left North Car- olina in the year 1859, and went to Missouri. In May 1861, he entered service in Co. B. under Capt. Jackson, the Com- pany belonging to the 4th Missouri Regiment, commanded by Briga- dier Jeff. Thompson. He received a discharge and came back to North Carolina and went into service in the above named Company and Regiment In 1862, where he served faithfully and bravely until the sur- render. He was, during the service, a good deal of his time, a scout and Courier for Gen. Barr- inner and others.
In the raid of Jack Shops, his command was ordered to charge and he being ahead of the rest, ran upon five Yankees whom he ordered to surrender; they threw down their guns and he pick- ed them up, marched them back, and turned them over to the Infantry, and then turned and joined his command. When he captured them, there were none of his command in sight.
At another time, while out on a scout for Gen. Barringer, he saw two Yankees enter a house, and he put spurs to his horse, ran up to the house and ordered them to surrender, which they did. He then took them back to Gen. Barringer's Headquarters. For this brave act, the General gave him a furlough.
At other times while scouting, he was in some very close places, but was successful in getting through with but a very slight wound; but he never left the field until the surrender.
He was a brave and fearless soldier. He was in all the battles that his command was in from beginning to end.
He is still living, and is a good citizen. May he live long.
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
J. A. ROBINSON
Ex-Sheriff, J. A. Rob- inson, one of the coun- ty's best and most wide- ly known citizens, died at his home here early Tuesday morning. He had been in feeble health for sometime, but was confined to his bed only since Saturday after- noon.
John Alfred Robinson was a member of the noted Robinson family which has been conspici- ous for the number of prominent men and good women it has furnished to Lincoln and Catawba Counties during the last century. Some months ago we published an in- teresting sketch of this noted family, written by Mr. Yoder, the Ca- tawba county philosopher and historian.
Mr. Robinson was born in Lincoln county, north of Reepsville, Oc- tober 29, 1832. In his early manhood he taught for sometime in this and Catawba counties. He spent two years in Alabama just before the war. When the war between the States was declared, he returned to North Carolina, and volunteered in Co. E, 32 Reg. of Catawba county of which Cheswell Wilson was Captain, and was promoted to 1st Lieuten- ant. The hardships of camp and field life were too great for him and his health gave away. He was sent home on sick leave and finally was honorably discharged on account of ill-health. His health, however, improved and he again volunteered and served until the surrender. He made a splendid record as a soldier. He was brave and gallant and faithful and, as one of his comrades remarked to The Journal the day he died, "he was one of the best soldiers in the Confederate army."
Returning home after the war, he engaged in teaching and followed that profession until he was elected sheriff of this county in 1872. He was the first Democratic sheriff elected in Lincoln county after the war, and defeated sheriff King, an unusually strong man, in one of the most exciting campaigns the county ever had. He served as sheriff for four terms-from 1872 to 1880-and was a member of the Board of County Commissioners both before and after his term as sheriff, and his record
352
THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
is that of one of the best, most efficient and faithful officers the county ever had. While sheriff he had many exciting experiences in breaking up gangs of rowdies and law-breakers, but his fearlessness and energy soon ridded the county of these toughs.
After his term as sheriff he engaged in merchandising for a short time, but for a number of years before his death ill-health forced him to retire from active business.
He was married to Miss Nancy F. Rhodes, of this county, on Dec- ember 17, 1865, and she with the four sons born to them survive him. Of these sons, Robert B. Robinson is a prominent business man in Dallas, Texas; Henry S. Robinson is one of Lincolton's leading mer- chants; David W. Robinson is one of the leading lawyers of this judicial district, and Charles E. Robinson is a prominent business man at Biltmore, occupying a responsible position in the management of the great Vanderbilt estate-all of them useful, influential and respected men.
Mr. Robinson was laid to rest Wednesday in the churchyard at Daniel's, of which church he was a member, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, a large concourse of friends were present. Rev. R. A. Yoder, of Hickory, conducted the services.
Sheriff Robinson was distinguished for his candor and courage. He was an uncompromising Democrat and and an indefatigable party worker. He was a good man, a useful citizen, a faithful public servant, a brave soldier and a kind husband and father. We tender our sympa- thy to the bereaved household. - The Lincoln Journal, Nov. 18, 1910.
Miller, A. P., enlisted April 12, '64 in Company E., 12th Regiment.
Miller, Robert, enlisted April 12, '64 in Company E., 12th Regiment.
Moose, G. R., enlisted April 12, '64.
Scronce, George, enlisted March 12, '64.
Webb, P. P., enlisted April 5, '64 in Company E., 12th Regiment.
Wycoff, J. L., enlisted March 12, '64 in Company E., 12th Regiment.
18th REGIMENT.
Beattie, Calvin, enlisted August 14, '62; he was wounded September 17, '63 at Sharpsburg; we have no further news of him.
Beattie, Wilburn, enlisted August 14, '62.
Beattie, Cephas, enlisted August 14, '62; he was made prisoner on May 12, '64.
Barkley, John, enlisted August 14, '62; we have no further information concerning him.
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
JOHN T. COCHRAN
John T. Cochran was born at the old home- place in Yadkin in 1846. He volunteered before he was 18 years old and joined a company sta- tioned at Camp Vance, in which his brother, L. William Cochran was first Lieutenant. The company operated in Western North Carolina hunting deserters and bushwhackers until 1864 when it was ordered to Raleigh. It was then disbanded and assigned to the Army of North- ern Virginia. The two brothers joined the First North Carolina Cavalry, Company D, then stati- oned near Petersburg. From then on both calvarymen had all they wanted of war and came home after the surrender fully convinced that what Sherman said abont war was not exaggerated. Numerous tragic and humorous incidents might be related from their experiences. John T. Cochran married Miss Dorcas L. Sherrill in 1869, and one child, now Mrs. Beulah Hill, blessed their union.
Mr. Cochran now lives at Leslie, S. C.
His brother, L. W. Cochran, the oldest of the family, married Miss Mary Jane Reinhardt, and five boys were born to them. More than 20 years ago they moved to the state of Washington, where Mrs. Cochran died. Now more than four score years, the old soldier lives quietly in his adopted home, far from the scenes of his youth and the battle fields where he fought bravely for the "cause of the storm cradled nation that fell."
It is with a thrill of pride that the children of these three soldiers and the relatives of the one buried in an unknown Virginia grave, remem- ber that not one of them ever shirked a duty as a soldier, and that all four fought for Dixie until death or wounds came or until General Lee surrendered. And after the war, the three survivors did their duty as citizens and earnest laborers in the upbuilding of the South as they had when they fought against the Army of the Potomac.
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
JOHN JOHNSON
I left home August 2nl, 1862, arriving at Statesville, N. C., on the 3rd. I was drilled there for two weeks in Co. A. 18 Regiment ard went from there direct to Richmond. Memor- anda from this time until October 12th, is lost, and I cannot give details from memory. On October 12th, we re- crossed the Potomac, having, in the mean- time, taken part in the capture of Harper's Ferry. I was in the fights of Sharpsburg, and Shepardstown, Frazier's Farm, Ma- Ivern Hill, Manassas Junction, Hagerstown, Antietam and Frede- ricksburg. I was also in the battle of Chancel- lorsville; but was sick in the hospital at Lynchburg during the fight at Gettysburg. On my recovery, I took part in the Wilderness fight. Was also in the fights at Turkey Ridge, Spottsylvania and at Petersburg. After this date, I was not in any other important engagement, and sur- rendered with the original command at Appomattox.
Bandy, H. L., enlisted August 14, '62; he was missing August 16, '64.
Barringer, H. A., enlisted August 14, '62; he died in No- vember, '62.
Crawford, R. A., enlisted August 14, '62; he was missing in the latter part of '62.
Dellinger, J. J., enlisted August 14, '62.
(Many of the above Company were from our community, and soon after the assignment to the 18th Regiment, they were ushered into the Maryland campaign, and were unable to endure its hardships.)
Deal, Jacob, enlisted August 14, '62; he died during the war.
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OF THE CIVIL WAR
CAPTAIN JOSEPH MEHEFFY BOST
The subject of this sketch was born near Newton, N. C. Bost moved to Spartanburg, S. C. Previous to the Civil war, he had a nice home, and good busi- ness. The war came on in 1861; he volunteered, and soon became Capt. of the Morgan Rifles, and his Co. was attach- ed to the "Holcomb Le- gion, " and for sometime was in the army of Tenn., but later was transferred to the army of Northern Va. Capt. Bost was always at the post of duty. From Vicksburg to Sharps- burg where he was wounded, he marched with his brave men from place to place until near Petersburg, Va. on June the 29th 1864, he received a wound from which he died on July 1st, 1864; his brave spirit left the body and entered into the eternal camping ground beyond. His army comrades sent his body to Newton, N. C., and it was buried in the Cemetery there. His property was sacrificed for confederate money, and what his widow en- dured is sufficient to place her name along with the bravest of soldiers. J. W.Garrett, a soldier in Capt. B's. Co says; "Capt. J. M. Bost a brave true, and loveable man" on the R. R. to Petersburg fell at his post."
That is eulogy enough.
Deal, William, enlisted August 14, '62; he died in the war.
Deal, Quinnon, enlisted August 14, '62; he died during the war.
Fisher, Barnett, enlisted August 14, '62; he died Novem- ber 18, '62. (We are informed by witnesses that, as a punishment for being sick, he was made to stand upon a stump, from which he fell dead. As a general rule, our officers were kind and merciful towards their men, but we had tyrants, and here is an example.)
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THE CATAWBA SOLDIER
ALFRED A. LAW-
RENCE
Alfred A. Lawrence enlisted for duty in the Confederate Army with the Rowan Rifles in
1861. He was one among the very first young men who enlisted from Catawba County. While he did not enlist with a Catawba Com- pany, he was a native of the County, and while working for the Rail- road Co. at Salisbury, joined the Army from Rowan County at the age of eighteen. He had a promising future before him, and had he líved, would have made his mark in war as well as in private life. But like so many of those of our young men, he went out with that eagerness that was unparalleled in the Southern soldier and was killed in one of the first battles, during the Seven Pines engagement. His father S. Nelson Lawrence served for more than three yearsin the Confederate Army.
Fisher, Noah, enlisted August 14, '62; he died November 11, '62.
Holler, Jacob, enlisted August 14, '62; he died some years ago; he was a very excellent man.
Hefner, Davault, enlisted August 14, '62; he died since the war.
Huffman, H. N., enlisted August 14, '62; he died since the war.
Herman, Frederick, enlisted August 14, '62. (See sketch.)
Huffman, D. J., enlisted August 14, '62; he died in No- vember, '62. (Here is another example of unmerciful treatment, as he was made to march while sick, and dropped dead in the ranks.)
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