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 8
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At Chancellorsville, I had my first intimation of dread. In rear of M. O. Sherrill, I was wounded. The file of the 23rd regiment was on our right, two being shot at the same instant and falling across each other. I was ordered to the rear, already wounded, but I re-loaded, fired again, and was again wounded.
At Spottsylvania, C. H., the enemy charged the breast works oc- cupied by an Alabama Regiment and captured it with great slaughter, artillery and all. Johnson's bridgade was ordered to retake it. He tock it and regained the artillery. This I regard the grandest charge of my experience.
On the morning of the 12th, the enemy captured Johnson's Division, and in trying to recapture them, we got mixed, -Dave Setzer, Jake Dixon, and Bill Bowman were all killed within two feet of me in an in- stant; and in running out of that close place, the wind from the bullets seemed to have helped to blow me out. Ten days after, I slipped off alone from the company, so anxious to see that lonely, deserted spot where fell so many of my company. I found our dead not buried, and among that tall timber, I did not see a place as big as the palm of my hand that was not scarred by balls.
At the battle of the Wilderness, near Sunset, we filed full length of our brigade to the right, charged the enemy, killed Gen. Sedgwick, and drove the enemy back. Being a little lost, Bill Cline and myself charged a house containing an officer and ten privates, capturing the whole eleven. The officer had on a beautiful hat which had had a hole shot in it. Bowman, coming up after our capture, demanded the hat. The officer said: "Don't take it, please; I have been married but a short while, and I want to take this hat back to my wife, that she may see how near I came losing my life." We would not allow Bowman to take the hat. This shows there is honor even on the battle field.
At Charleston, three of us came in contact with a company of 100 Yankee Cavalry, while we were out on a scouting expedition; we fired and dislodged one; the rest ran following them to the river, putting 33 to flight.
On the Rappahannock, the river being the dividing line between the armies, we made this mutual agreement, -not to fire at each other, unless giving due notice; we thus became right familiar for enemies; and one day they asked us to come over that night and we would take a game of "Seven up." We did so, and while we were intensely engaged in a game, the relief came around and demanded our surrender. The old Guard said, "No; we invited them over. and promised protection, and we mean to see the Johnies back in safety"; so they did. Many in- cidents like these I could give, but I desist."
Geo. W. Rabb was one of the bravest of the boys. He was always ready for any command. He took up shoemaking, -one of the sons of Crispian. He pegged many and many a shoe and made some money, in- vesting wisely in factory stock; and today, has quite a competency. He married soon after the war, and is without bodily heirs; hence, he has been a very liberal supporter of his Church and denominational schools.
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He has held some important County offices, and in 1910-11, he was chosen by his party to represent Catawba in the lower house of the legislature. He has made good in both war and peace.
Travis, Nelson, enlisted April 27, '61; died in the West since the war. (See sketch.)
Rheinhardt, Robt. P., enlisted April 27, '61; discharged; died since the war. (See sketch.)
R. P. REINHARDT
R. P. Reinhardt en- listed in Company A, 12th Regiment April, 1861. He served in the Company for awhile and hired a substitute. He was one of the few men in the county soon after the war that began farming on the "inten- sive" plan. He also introduced fine improv- ed stock, and this stim- ulated the County to getting better cattle, sheep and hogs. He, during his later life, was £ appointed Post Master at Newton, N. C. He died in 1902.
Ritzell, H. J., enlisted April 27, '61; lost a leg July 20 below Winchester; living, a farmer, (See sketch.)
Ritzell A. A., enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war.
Rowe, Lafayette, enlisted April 27, '61; wounded at Gettys- burg; died since the war. (See sketch.)
Rowe, N. I., enlisted September 1, '62; wounded at Chancellors- ville; living, a farmer. (See sketch.)
Rowe, Sidney H., enlisted June 6, '61; transferred from 23rd Regiment; died in the war. (See sketch.)
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HENRY J. REITZEL
Henry J. Reitzel en- listed April 27th, 1861, in Company A, 12th North Carolina Regi- ment. Was wounded at Winchester, July 20th, 1864, and on his return, with loss of leg, took up farming, at which he made an honest living.
He is now in his 70th year, a hale, healthy man.
At the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, on the night of the 21st of May, he heard groaning near by. He went to see what the matter was, and found a Yankee shot through the head with a ramrod. He asked Reitzel to pull it out, and it was so diffcult to extract that he had to put his foot upon his chest before he could pull it out.
Robinson, J. F., enlisted May 27, '61; killed May 10, '64 at Spottsylvania Court House.
Robinson, A., enlisted October 16, '61; died September '62 at Richmond.
Robinson, Geo. W., enlisted April 27, '61; died in the war.
Smyer, Silas, enlisted April 27, '61; wounded, promoted 3rd Sergeant; living, a farmer. (See sketch.)
Sigmon, J. C., enlisted April 27, '61; transferred to 32nd Regi- ment.
Sigmon, J. E., enlisted April 27, '61; transferred to 32nd Regi- ment.
Sigmon, Albert, enlisted April 27, '61; living, a farmer.
Sigmon, Marcus, Sr., enlisted April 27, '61; living.
Sigmon, Marcus, Jr., enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Sigmon, Wesley, enlisted April 27, '61; living, a farmer.
Sigmon, Calvin, enlisted October 16, '61; wounded at Chan- cellorsville; died since the war.
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DANIEL LAFAYETTE ROWE
Daniel Lafayette Rowe was born near Newton, N. C., Feb. 12, 1842. He enlisted in April, 1861, as a mem- ber of Co. A. 12th N. C. regiment, and served with fidelity throughout the war, being wounded twice. He was a splen- did soldier, a progressive farmer, a good citizen, and the father of a large family. He died Sept. 15, 1897.
Sigmon, M. L., enlisted April 27, '61; living, a farmer. Sigmon, Jethro, enlisted March 19, '63; died in the war. Sigmon, Sylvanus, enlisted April 27, '61; no record.
Sigmon, Wm., enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Sigmon, Newton, enlisted October 16, '61; wounded at Chan- cellorsville; living, a farmer.
Shook, Tobias, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Shook, Calvin, enlisted April 1, '62; promoted 3rd Corporal; living in Newton, N. C.
Shook, John, enlisted April 27, '61; dead.
Shook, Jacob, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war.
Setzer, Noah, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war.
Setzer, David, enlisted April 27, '61; died in the West since the war.
Setzer, Jacob, enlisted April 1, '62; died since the war.
Smyre, Geo. S., enlisted April 27, '61; promoted 5th Ser- geant; wounded at Malvern Hill, and killed at Hagerstown by a Yankee Sharpshooter from a window.
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NOAH ISAAH ROWE
Noah Isaah Rowe, who was born near Newton, N. C., January 20, 1828, enlisted as a member of Company A, 12th N. C. Regiment, in April, 1861. On May 3, 1863, he was wounded in the battle of Chancel- lorsville. He was taken prisoner on May 12, 1864 at Spottsylvania Court House and confined at West Point three months when he was removed to the Federal Prison at Elmira, N. Y. At this place he was confined until the close of the war. Beginning empty- handed at the close of the war, by untiring toil he has acquired a competency; has brought up a large family, and is an honored citizen in the community. For many years he has been an elder in the Reformed Church, and is still an active church worker. At this time (1911) he is still in active life and is possessed of excellent health, considering his years and labors. He is now in his 84th year.
SIDNEY HOKE ROWE
Sidney Hoke Rowe was born near Newton, N. C., November 23rd, 1838. He enlisted in the fall of 1861 as a member of the company or- ganized by T. L. Lowe. In a short time he was transferred to Company A, in which he had three brothers. He was in active service until May 12th, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania Court House. He was confined at Point Lookout and later, in company with his brother Noah, was removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he died December 20, 1864, at the age of 27 years. In the strength and vigor of young manhood, nobly sacrificing his life for the Cause, he died, as he said. "In the triumph of Faith."
Setzer, Marcus, enlisted April 27, '61; living.
Smyre, L. Z., enlisted March 4, '63; killed March 25, '65 at Petersburg.
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SILAS SMYRE
Silas Smyre enlisted in Company A, 12th N. C. Regiment volunteers, April 27th, 1861. He was promoted Sergeant in the early part of the war, and proved himself to be one of the most efficient soldiers of the war. He was one of the few of Company A who surrendered at Ap- pomattox Court House. On his return home, he engaged in farming and the manufacture of flour.
He was always a quiet, peacable and in- dustrious citizen; and by industry and econo- my, amassed quite a fortune. He honored himself, his family and his country by his up- right life. He died New Years, 1911.
ipe, Jacob, enlisted April 1, '62; missing.
Sipe, Noah, enlisted April 1, '62; living in the west. Settlemyre, D. S., enlisted April 27, '61; living. Settlemyre, Allen, enlisted April 27, '61; living. (See sketch.) Sherrill, M. O., enlisted April 27, '61; promoted 1st Sergeant; wounded May 9, '64 at Spottsylvania Court House; leg amputa- ted. (See sketch.)
Sherrill, John, enlisted April 27, '61; discharged, living.
Seaboch, John, enlisted April 27, '61; wounded at Malvern Hill; killed July 9, '64 at Monocacy River.
Turner, Joseph, enlisted April 27, '61; discharged. since the war. Turbyfield, W. O., enlisted October 14, '62; died April '63.
Wilkinson, J. M., enlisted August 14, '61; wounded at Mal- vern Hill.
Wilkinson, Rufus, enlisted April 1, '62; wounded at Malvern Hill; still living.
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A. M. SETTLEMYER
I enlisted about the first of the year, 1863, at Orange Court House, Va., in Company A, 12th N. C. Regiment. I was in the battle of Spottsyl- vania Court House, and in the battle of Hatch- er's Run; also in an en- gagement on the 25th of March, 1865, in front of Petersburg, and saw Uncle Jonas Fry struck with a shell on the body and torn to atoms. I was on the Roanoke River guarding desert- ers prior to the engage- ment at Petersburg. I was on the retreat from Petersburg to Appomat- tox Court House. I was slightly wounded on the 6th. I was near Gen. Lee when he surrender- ed on the 9th of April,
1865, and marched from there home.
I began tilling the soil and made quite a success of it. I had noth- ing when I came from the war; I now own a good farm and some town property.
Webb, Curtiss, enlisted April 27, '61; went to Florida since the war.
Wilkinson, John, enlisted August 14, '63; died since the war by electricity.
Wilfong, S. T., enlisted August 27, '61; lost an arm; died since the war. (See sketch.)
Wilfong, Maxwell, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Wilson, Henry, enlisted April 27, '61; killed at Malvern Hill.
Wilson, D. C., enlisted April 27, '61;transferred to 32nd Regi- ment; died January 1, 1911.
Whitener, L. R., enlisted April 27, '61; promoted Sergeant; wounded at Gettysburg; living in Hickory, N. C. (See sketch.)
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JAMES ALBERT SHERRILL
Youngest child of Hiram and Sarah Sherrill, was born in Catawba Co. in 1843. In the war of 1861-5 he volunteered in Co. A. 12th N. C., the same Co. that his brother Miles O. Sherrill, and his nephew James F. Robin- son, were in. He was in every battle that his Company was in from Hanover Court House and seven day fighting below Richmond, Va., until the battle of South Mountain in Md. in Sept. 1862, where he sacrifi- ced his life. Alfred Sigmon, a comrade now living in Catawba Coun- ty, who was wounded in the battles of South Mountain, Md. in 1862, and captured, says that Sherrill, when the command to fall back was given, was the last to leave the line of battle, and while firing a part- ing shot, was badly wounded; and when the enemy came one of them half drunk stood over Sherrill, and bayonetted the poor fellow to death, showing no mercy to the brave boy, but manifested a brute in human form. Sherrill was counted as one of the bravest men in the company. His dust has been resting in South Mountain, Maryland, since Sept. 1862.
Whitener, P. W., enlisted April 27, '61; wounded at Gettys- burg; living in Hickory. (See sketch.)
White, Wilson, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Yount, Hosea, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war.
Yount, Joseph, enlisted April 27, '61; died since the war. Yount, Sidney L., enlisted April 27, '61; promoted Sergeant; wounded at Malvern Hill and Chancellorsville, lost an arm; died since the war. (See sketch.)
Yount, Elcanah, enlisted as recruit; died in the war in '63. Total 183. (See sketch.)
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until he lost his leg in May 1864. Sherrill was with his command, and in the battles beginning at Hanover Court House, and the seven days fighting below Rich- mond, Va., on up to and including Gettysburg, Pa., to the time he lost his leg at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, Va. May, 1864. The balance of the war was spent in prison. His brother Albert and a ne- phew, (Ferdinand Rob- inson) never returned. Miles O. Sherrill married Sarah R. Bost, 1st of May 1867. She was a
MILES OSBORNE SHERRILL
Son of Hiram and Sarah Sherrill, was born in Catawba county, July, 26th, 1841. He enlisted in Co. K. 2nd, N. C. Volunteers April, 1861. At the reorganization in 1862, the ‘Catawba Ri- fles" became Co. A. in the 12th N. C. Regiment. In the Fall of 1861, while at Norfolk, Va., Sherrill was appointed a first Lieutenant in another regíment, but declined to leave his company. He was appointed order- ly Seargeant, in 1862, which position he held
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daughter of Capt. Joseph M. Bost, who was killed near Petersburg, Va., June 1864. They have seven children. Sherrill was elected Judge of Probate & Clerk of Superior court of Catawba county in 1868, and serv- ed fourteen years. In 1882 he was elected to the Legislature and was elected to the Senate of N. C. in 1885 and again in 1893. In 1899 he was elected State Librarian which position he now holds.
JOHN A. SHERRILL
John A. Sherrill en- listed in the first com- pany organized in Ca- tawba county, April 1861, and surrendered with Gen. Lee's army, April 9, 1865. During this time he was never in the hospital nor in prison, but was in active service all the time, ex- cept two months which he spent at home on a furlough, recovering from a wound.
Mr. Sherrill did duty at Norfolk during the first year of the war. When Norfolk was eva- cuated he, with his regi- ment, (the Second North Carolina Volunteers ), was transferred to the army of Northern Vir- ginia.
He was severely wounded at Hanover Junction in May, 1862. After recovering from this wound, he rejoined his regiment at Richmond and did service in Virginia for the remainder of the war.
He was in the Maryland campaign in 1862. In the spring of 1863, he was detailed as courier to Gen. Iverson and served in this capacity dur- ing the Gettysburg campaign, and to the end of the war.
He did service in Early's campaign, in the valley of Virginia, in 1864, and returned with Early's command to the army of Northern Vir- ginia in the fall of that year in time to take part in the engagement at Hatcher's run. During this engagement, he saddled his horse Sunday morning at sunrise and did not unsaddle him until Wednesday night. During these four days and three nights, he was in his saddle more than half the time amid a constant downpour of sleet and rain.
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After the surrender he returned to his native connty and has proven an honored and useful citizen.
He served as county Commissioner from 1894 to 1896, and as County Treasurer from 1900 to 1904. He was also appointed to fill out the un- expired term of Dr. W. E. Wilson on the County Board of Education.
Mr. Sherrill is still living, and is in fine physical condition, consider- ing his age.
LEROY ROBINSON WHITENER
Leroy Robinson White- ner, a veteran of the army of Northern Vir- ginia, was born in Cat- awba County, N. C., Nov. 27th, 1837, a de- scendant of Henry Weid- ner, the first white set- tler of the County. He entered the Confederate service April 27th, 1861, as a private in the 2nd regiment of volunteers, under Col. Williams, later known as the 12th Regiment. The regi- ment was organized be- fore the State seceeded, and he was in Raleigh at the time of the seces- sion.
During his first year's duty in Virginia he was a witness of the Naval encounter between the Merrimac and Monitor, and after the evacuation of Norfolk, he fought in the Seven Days' battle before Richmond. After the victory at Sec- ond Manassas came the celebrated fight of his brigade at South Moun- tain. He fought at Fredricksburg; was near the spot where General Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, and at Gettysburg shared the gallant service of Rodes' division until he was wounded and captured by the enemy.
He was held but a few weeks at David's Island and then paroled. Upon his exchange, in October following, he rejoined his regiment, and in 1864 was in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottyslvania Court House, and Cold Harbor; was with Early at the battle of Mondcacy and the demonstration against Washington City, and in the fall took part in the desperate struggle against Sheridan's superior numbers at Winchester
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and Cedar Creek. He fought in the Petersburg trenches; was in the battle of Hatcher's Run and other engagements, and upon the retreat to Appomattox, was surrendered with the remnant of the glorious old army.
In addition to his wound at Gettysburg, he was slightly wounded at Cold Harbor and Hatcher's Run.
Coming back to his old home he engaged in farming. Since 1887 he has lived in Hickory, where he is engaged in business.
He has had a prominent career as a public official; eight years as County commissioner, as a member of the Board of Alderman, elder in the Reformed church, twice Mayor of the City, six years a director of the State Hospital at Morganton and representative of the County in the legislature for two terms. He is Justice of the Peace and U. S. Commissloner.
He was married January 12th, 1866, to Miss Martha J. Shuford, with whom he lived happily until her death, February 3rd, 1896. He was married again June 22nd, 1897, to Miss Alice Ingold Murrill.
Speaking of his experience, Mr. Whitener said:
"J walked all the way home from Appomattox Court House, being on the way I reached the home of my sister, Mrs. Eli Rhyne, dirty, ragged and foot-sore. She said, "What will you do for clothes?" There were no stores, and there was no money to pay, if there had been. I said, "I don't know what I will do;" then sister said, "I have a little cotton, a little wool and a little bacon; you go to see Millie Reese and tell her I will pay her in bacon if she will come here and spin yarn to make a suit." Millie came; the cotton and wool were carded together and spun and wove, making grey mixed cloth. My sister made the suit and then I started out to have a good time."
PETER WILFONG WHITENER
Peter Wilfong Whitener, in April 1861, enlisted in the first company organized in Catawba County-Company "A", 12th. Regiment, N. C. Volunteers. As a soldier, he performed every service faithfully and bravely. He was in many battles. In the "Seven Days Battle" around Richmond, on June 27th, '62, he was wounded. While thus wounded he was given a furlough, and during his stay home, he married Miss Kate Shuford, who proved to be, not only a faithful and loving companion and mother, but a model, consecrated, Christian worker, whose unshakened faith in God's word was her ever ready weapon in every battle of life from which she came out more than conqueror.
When able he returned to his post in the army and on the battle field, and performed every duty with that distinction of faithfulness that has ever characterized him in every sphere of life. Ir. the battle of Gettys- burg, on July 1st, 1863, he was so badly wounded in the knee that his
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leg had to be amputated thus putting him on crutches for life.
As soon as able, on November 27, 1863, he came home, and he and his faithful companion began life together on their farm on South Fork river. With in- dustry and good manage- ment, they made farm- ing a great success. To this union were born seven children, four daughters and three sons, of whom two sons and two daughters are still living.
About five and one- half years ago, he sold his well improved and valuable farm, and mov- ed to Hickory. About two years thereafter, death entered his home and took from him his belo ved companion. Since then, he makes his home principally with his two devoted daughters, Mrs. J. F. Abernethy, and Mrs. W. G. Shell.
This noble veteran is now in his 72d year. Owing to his age and weight, he is unable to be out only as he is carried In a rolling chair.
No man has more friends than he, and none deserve more than he. Though he was always ready to do his part in every feature of active life, yet with the same good judgement and faith in the goodness of God, he is fully resigned to his present, inactive state. In this, his last battle of life, he is brave and cheerful, feeling assured that when the summons comes and he answers the roll call above, the Captain of his salvation will say: "Well done thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joys of thy Lord."
SIDNEY L. YOUNT
Catawba county sent no braver or better man or more loyal soldier to the Virginia firing line than Sidney L. Yount. He went as a volunter in Company. Twenty-third Regiment, Captain M. L. McCorkle, and was among the first to leave for the battlefield. At Chancellorsville he lost his left arm and thus incapacitated for further duty, he was returned home.
Following the war he taught school, and a well-known citizen has
-
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written of him that he "took his first lesson in the old blue back speller from him and has never lost that admiration for the man that was form- ed in the old log school house."
In 1878 Mr. Yount was elected sheriff of Catawba county and served continuously in that capacity for a decade. If he was brave on the field of battle, he was faithful as a civil officer, and withal considerate and merciful to those who in the course of his duties as sheriff he found in distress. In fact, as has been often said, he was too tender hearted, too generous, for the place. Rather than force payment of taxes in -
those hard times, he paid the tax himself. His broad sympathies had much to do with his finan- cial disaster. Honest as the day, he surrendered everything to his credi- tors. Hecame out of this a poor man, but bore himself with char- acteristic fortitude, and although a crippled soldier, he endeavored to labor on.
Under the last admini- stration of President Cleveland he held a posi- tion in the revenue ser- vice and it caused no surprise among those who knew him when it was started that h made a record that show- ed him to be one of the best men in the service. "Sheriff" Yount as the public knew him, "Sid" as his war com- rades called him, has been described as "one of Nature's noblemen. He was one of those quiet, good-hearted, gener- ous men who always command admiration. Generous he was, to a fault and tender-hearted as a woman, yet he could be stern on occasion, and when duty demand it, he was.
He passed away on July 12, 1899, being 58 years and five months of age, having been born February 12, 1841. He was a son of the late Franklin A. Yount, and married Miss Belle Fox, a daughter of the late Rev. Albert J. Fox, of Lincoln county, a Lutheran minister widely known. His family numbered seven children: Miss Clara Yount, Mrs. Lucy Witherspoon, Mr. Zeb H. Yount, Miss Maude Yount, Mrs. George F. Cochran, Mr. Floyd E. Yount and Mrs. Grace Haendiges.
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D. F. MOOSE
D. F. Moose enlisted in Company A 12th Reg- iment, in 1861. He was wounded at Chancellors- ville, and was afterwards shot twice through the hat-two very narrow escapes. He engaged in farming on his return, and has made a living thereby. He is now 68 years old. He is a good citizen, an industrious man, and a friend to everybody.
ELCANAH YOUNT
Elcanah Yount was born March 9th, 18:5 He joined Co. A. 12th Regime it, and took an active part in all the battles of his regiment. He died at Charlottes- ville, Va., being 39 years old. This honor is con- ferred upon him by his son, showing his esteem for a noble father.
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