The Toe River Valley Confederate

Round Table

2011-10-12T10:53:00.001-04:00

Yancey County and the Civil War Round Table is this Thursday (October 13). For the first time, we are having a relic show before the Round Table begins. If you are in the area, join us to view some pretty cool pieces actually used during the war. The relic show will begin at 6:00, with the Round Table starting a little after 6:30 pm. This event will be held at the Town Center in Burnsville and is free. Please bring a friend.

Welcome New member

2011-09-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our newest member, Compatriot John T. Renick.

Camp 1946 works on new gravestone for Yancey County officer.

2011-08-31T10:31:00.000-04:00

Greetings friends and compatriots. The Col. John B. Palmer Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has embarked on a new project. John W. McElroy, a native to Yancey County, needs a new tombstone, and the Palmer Camp has taken it upon themselves to raise the funds to purchase this stone.

Life in western North Carolina was hard during the Civil War years. No one understood that better than John W. McElroy. The McElroy family were prominent citizens in the early days of Yancey County. John W. McElroy was a merchant, dealt in real estate, and served as clerk of court. The economic crisis of the late 1850s had forced McElroy out of business. He had sold his fine Burnsville home, and had moved to the Jack's Creek area to farm.

Prior to the War, McElroy had served as the commander of the Yancey County militia. Every county in North Carolina had a militia regiment, required by law to meet once a year to drill. Each county was composed of several militia districts, each with its own captain and lieutenants. These militia districts, found first on the 1860 census, would become townships by the 1870 census.

During the first months of the War, Colonel McElroy continued to perform his normal militia duties, which often did not amount to many responsibilities. But he had fewer and fewer men as they left to join the regular Confederate army. In the spring of 1862, the Confederate government passed the Conscription law, requiring men between the ages of 18 and 35 to enlist in the army. McElroy was responsible for mustering the militia and for getting these men off.

But many resented having to serve. Some hid out from the beginning, while others joined the army, and then later slipped back to check on their families or to join those already evading local authorities. Governor Zebulon B. Vance tried to use the militia to round up the outliers, but ran into legal problems. So Vance created the Guard for Home Defense. Their chief duty was to curtail the deserter problem. To lead the First Brigade of North Carolina Home Guard, Vance tapped John W. McElroy. While McElroy had limited military experience, Vance probably chose McElroy because of a family connection. Vance's older brother Robert had married McElroy's daughter, Harriett.
McElroy's task was not easy. Huge bands of deserters roomed the mountains, using their remoteness to their advantage. Of course, the only way these men could survive was by stealing what they needed. McElroy's command encompassed all of western North Carolina. He often made his headquarters in Mars Hill, using the buildings of the fledgling college.

In April 1864, dissidents under Mont Ray raided Burnsville. They were driven out by Confederate forces from Asheville, and as local ledged has it, McElroy's old house was used as a hospital. McElroy then returned for a short time to Burnsville, possibly using his old home as his headquarters. It is believed that at some point during the war, McElroy's home on Jack's Creek was ransacked and burnt.
After the war ended, McElroy made his way to Graham County, where he died in 1886, interred in the Old Mother Cemetery.

Recently, it came to the attention of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp. Sons of Confederate Veterans, that the tombstone marking McElroy's grave was in poor condition. At some point in the past, the stone had been broken, and then cemented back together. The Palmer Camp chose to take the steps to get McElroy a new stone. Since McElroy was a state-appointed officer, and not a regular Confederate soldier, he is not eligible for a stone from the Veterans Administration.

The Palmer Camp has decided to purchase a stone to mark McElroy's grave and is seeking donations to assist in procuring the stone. Donations may be sent to PO Box 317, Micaville, NC 28755.

After the stone returns from the stone cutter, the Palmer Camp is planning a memorial service in Graham County for John W. McElroy. An announcement will be posted with this information when the time and date have been set.

2011-07-06T17:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our newest compatriot, David Froehlich.

Welcome Paul!

2011-05-19T12:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our newest member, Paul Chrisawn!

Confederate Memorial Day Activities

2011-05-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

The Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 would like to invite everyone to our annual Confederate Memorial Day activities. At 9:00 am on Saturday, May 7, 2011, the Camp will be conducting a memorial service on the grounds of the Yancey County courthouse, in Burnsville. We will be reading the names of Yancey County’s Confederate Dead, firing a salute, and raising a flag. That evening, at dusk, the Camp will lead a candlelight memorial service at the old Bakersville Cemetery, in the town of Bakersville, in Mitchell County.

Everyone is invited to come and bring a friend.

I Will Give Them One More Shot

2011-04-21T09:27:00.000-04:00

Our camp was privileged to have Mr. George Winston Martin as guest and speaker at our April meeting. Mr. Martin is a historian who lives in nearby Hendersonville North Carolina and author of a new book entitled: “I Will Give Them One More Shot”.

The book describes the little known history of Georgia’s 1st Regiment of Volunteers commanded by Colonel James N. Ramsey.

Mr. Martin had an ancestor who fought in the regiment and took it upon himself to write a history about the unit for the benefit of all. The presentation touched on the early years of the war and some of the triumphs and problems that the men faced while in service for the confederacy. The presentation also addressed both Robert E Lee and Andrew “Stonewall” Jackson’s early experiences with command and how these experiences helped shape them for later duty during the war. Many in out group found his presentation compelling and purchased his book in hopes of learning more. We wish Mr. Martin the best and appreciate this history of a obscure and interesting unit from the South.

Elisha Gardner - 58th NCT

2011-02-14T10:35:00.000-05:00

To date, Camp 1946 has placed just over 180 tombstones on the graves of Confederate soldiers from the Toe River Valley. This past Saturday, several members of the camp ventured to Blount County, Tennessee, to place a marker on the grave of a Toe River Valley soldier who relocated to Tennessee after the war.

According to the North Carolina Troops roster, Elisha M. Gardner lived in Mitchell or Yancey County when he enlisted in Mitchell County at the age of 18 on May 17, 1862. On July 29, 1862, he was mustered in as a private in Company B, 58th North Carolina Troops. Gardner deserted at Bell’s Bridge, Tennessee, on July 24, 1863, and had returned to duty some time before December 31 of that year. At some point prior to August 31, 1864, Gardner transferred to Company D of the 58th regiment. Gardner was paroled on May 1, 1865. At some point, Gardner moved to east Tennessee, where he died on May 20, 1909. He is buried at the Chilhowee Primitive Baptist Church.

Camp 1946 is always looking for more unmarked graves of local soldiers. If you are aware of any, please drop us a note.

Welcome Commander Silver

2011-01-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

As usual, the Colonel Palmer camp held its annual officer elections at the January meeting. We would like to have everyone welcome our new camp commander, Edd Silver. We look forward to working with Commander Silver over the next year as we grow Camp 1946 and inform the Toe River Valley about the War Between the States.

Lewis P. Silver

2011-01-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

Lewis P. Silver is just one of the men who left the Toe River Valley for the War Between the States and never returned. He lived in Mitchell County and enlisted on July 17, 1861. He was 22 years old and was mustered into Company I, 29th North Carolina Troops, on July 11, 1861. Silver was captured “in Kentucky,” sometime between September and November 1862, and was confined in Chattanooga, Tennessee. On January 11, 1863, he was exchanged. Silver was captured again near Atlanta, Georgia, on July 22, 1864, possibly during the battle of Atlanta. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, and then on July 30, 1864, was in Louisville, Kentucky. Silver was transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he arrived on August 2, 1864. He died between November 8 and 9, 1864, of typhoid fever, and is buried at the Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery. This photograph was taken by Camp 1946 member Michael C. Hardy in June 2010.

Our Member of the Year

2010-12-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

We would like to extend a special congratulations to our 2010 member of the year: JEB Silver. He is more than deserving of this award. Thanks to everyone who made our annual Christmas banquet the huge success that it was!

2010-12-20T08:38:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder, the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946’s annual Christmas banquet and awards program is tomorrow (Tuesday) evening – December 21, 2010. I hope you have your ticket! Southern Highland Brigade Commander Derrick Shipman will be speaking. We look forward to seeing you there!

Burnsville Christmas Parade

2010-12-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

For the past nine years, the Col. John B. Palmer Camp and the Martha Reid Silver Confederate Memorial Association have participated in the Burnsville Christmas Parade. And, much like today, it is usually cold. Frequently, the groups head over to the Bakersville parade, but this year, it was cancelled. We hope you enjoyed the group’s float this year.

Home school days

2010-11-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

On October 30, the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Martha Reid Silver Confederate Memorial Association set up a living history for home school families in Yancey County. We had a chance to move over 80 people through stations on local history, common soldiers, firearms, children’s toys, cooking, and care packages, along with artillery. Everyone had a great time! Make sure to check out our flickr account for more photos.

Burnsville Old Timey Days

2010-10-06T22:29:00.000-04:00

For the past several years, members of Camp 1946 have gathered on the square for the annual Burnsville Old Timey Days. It is a great time to talk with old friends, meet new folks with information about our area, and who are interested in the Sons of Confederate Veterans. We’ve posted a few photographs on our flickr account – check it out on the left.

Helping a worthy cause

2010-09-24T22:51:00.000-04:00

This past Tuesday, members of the Palmer Camp and the Silver Association gathered to hear Skip Smith of the 26th North Carolina Troops, Reactivated, speak on the plight of captured and surrendered Confederate battle flags. The presentation was spectacular, and at its end, both groups donated $200 to the current effort to preserve the flag of the 16th North Carolina Troops captured at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. Company C of the 16th North Carolina Troops hailed from Yancey County.

In the picture above, from left to right, are Mike Ledford, Amanda Ledford, and Skip Smith.

September Meeting

2010-09-20T15:15:00.001-04:00

Everyone is invited to join us tomorrow evening, at 6:30 pm, for the monthly meeting of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans. We meet at the Towncenter in beautiful downtown Burnsville.

This month, our special speaker is Col. Skip Smith, commander of the 26th North Carolina Troops, Reactivated. Smith will be speaking on the Returned Battle flags. I’m sure there will some discussion of flags (like those of the 16th NSCT and 58th NCT) for whose preservation the 26th NCT Reactivated has raised funds.

Once again, everyone is invited. We look forward to seeing you there.

2010-09-14T11:01:00.003-04:00

Gouge Cemetery - Mitchell County

2010-09-07T18:44:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, members of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans, had a chance to participate in a Confederate Iron Cross dedication at the Gouge Cemetery in Mitchell County. Garrett D. Gouge was a private in Company K of the 58th North Carolina Troops. He left many remarkable pieces of his war-time experiences, including a jacket which is now at the Greensboro Historical Museum, and a set of letters that detail his experiences during the war. It is an honor to participate in such events that preserve our history.

Mitchell County Confederate Monument

2010-09-01T12:57:00.000-04:00

Good news! On Monday evening, the Mitchell County Historic Courthouse Board of Directors voted to allow the Colonel John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans, to place a Confederate monument on the grounds of the Historic Mitchell County Courthouse in downtown Bakersville. The Commission recently finished restoring the courthouse to house the offices of the Mitchell County Historical Society, and to provide a community meeting place. The Colonel John B. Palmer Camp of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans has already raised the $5,000 needed for the monument, and we are already planning the dedication ceremony for next May. This is the second Confederate monument that Camp 1946 has erected. The first, located on the grounds of the Yancey County Court House in Burnsville, was dedicated last year.

A special thank you to everyone who made this dream happen.

What a year...

2010-08-23T12:47:00.001-04:00

Recently, Camp 1946 had to complete its year-end report - what a year!! You can see below that Camp 1946 is one of the busiest Camps in all of the North Carolina division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. If you are not a member, please consider joining today.

3 days resetting stones in the Old Bakersville Cemetery (Mitchell County)
1 Confederate monument Dedication (Yancey County)
5 Living Histories
1 County Fair (Yancey County)
3 Confederate Headstones (Buncombe & Mitchell Counties)
Camp field trip to CW sites in Knoxville, TN
Completed restoration of the Hill Cemetery (Mitchell County)
3 Civil War roundtables (Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties)
Completed fence around Zion Cemetery (adopted by camp, Yancey County)2 School programs (Avery & Mitchell Counties)
1 Find your Confederate Ancestor Day (Mitchell County)
2 Confederate Memorial Day services Mitchell & Yancey Counties)
Placed 450 flags in observance of Confederate Memorial Day (Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties)
Had a float in 2 Christmas parades (Mitchell & Yancey Counties)
Reached our fundraising goal of $5000.00 for the purchase of a Confederate Veterans Monument for Mitchell County.
Meet with the county commissioners from Mitchell County (concerning placement of Mitchell monument).
Adopt a Highway 4 trash pick ups.

Two upcoming events.

2010-08-16T11:13:00.000-04:00

Monday, August 16, Dr. Michele Gillespie, from Wake Forest University, will be speaking on reconstruction in the Appalachian Mountains. She will be the featured speaker of the Mitchell County Historical Society. The meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at the Old Bakersville Courthouse.

The monthly meeting of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans, will be on Tuesday, August 17, at the Burnsville Towncenter. Speaking this month is Dan Slagle, and his topic is on the Shelton Laurel Massacre. Everyone is invited. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm.

We hope to see you there and make sure to bring a friend.

2010-08-06T21:55:00.000-04:00

Come check out the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946’s display at the Burnsville Craft Fair, August 6 and 7, 2010.

2010-07-21T21:54:00.001-04:00

The Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 had a great meeting last night. New member Greg Robinson was sworn in, and the Rev. Stephen Honeycutt stepped in to fill the role of chaplain. (In the picture above, Greg is on the right and Stephen is on the left). Elizabeth Hardy did a great presentation on what people were reading during the mid-19th century.

If you get a chance, make sure you join us for our August meeting. Skip Smith, colonel of the 26th North Carolina, will be speaking on efforts to raise funds to preserve the flag of the 16th North Carolina State Troops.

Camp Van

2010-07-10T14:05:00.002-04:00

Have you seen the Colonel Palmer Camp Van? Thanks to Camp Adjutant Robert Morgan, the van has a new grill, new brakes, a bath, and a wax job! Thanks Adjutant Morgan!!!

Compatriot Michael Dowling

2010-06-27T14:55:00.002-04:00

We are saddened to report the death of our friend and compatriot Michael Dowling. He passed on to the other side this morning (Sunday, June 27, 2010). He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran (Vietnam), and past Adjutant of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans. We will miss Mike greatly. It just seems like yesterday that he was joining us to place the stone for Sergeant Rumples in Buncombe County. Details of his forthcoming memorial service will be announced once they become available.

You can help save land at Bentonville

2010-06-25T10:05:00.001-04:00

As many of you know, there are several key events during the war which are connected with North Carolina, i.e., the 26th North Carolina Troops at the battle of Gettysburg. Another of those key events is the last large battle of the war: Bentonville. Yesterday, an email from the Civil War Preservation Trust went out, announcing a new effort to save land at Bentonville. The email, and subsequent press release, read in part:

Today, we are announcing a new campaign to save 240 acres of this remarkable Civil War battlefield – the opening effort of a larger campaign to save 455 battlefield acres in North Carolina. These 240 acres, in four different parcels, will bring the total saved by CWPT at Bentonville to 1,142 acres! Even better, CWPT has secured a tremendous matching that will double the giving power of every dollar you donate to this campaign.

You can learn more (and donate) by checking out this web page here.

The Civil War Preservation Trust has even put up a gallery of flags used by the soldiers (Gray and Blue) at the battle of Bentonville. You can check that out here. Part of the page includes the image of the flag of the 40th North Carolina Troops.

There were quite a few soldiers from the Toe River Valley (mostly in the 58th North Carolina Troops ) at Bentonville.

Confederate Memorial Day Activities

2010-05-15T16:15:00.001-04:00

On May 8, members of the Colonel John B. Palmer Camp 1946, Sons of Confederate Veterans, gathered to celebrate North Carolina’s Confederate Memorial Day. As in years past, members of the Camp met in front of the courthouse, where the Confederate National flag was run up. Next, the names of Yancey County’s Confederate dead were read, and then three volleys were fired in honor of the more than 1,000 men from Yancey County who served in the Confederate army.

After brunch, members of the Camp headed to the historic Bakersville Court House. From noon until 4:00 pm, a “Find Your Confederate Ancestor” program was held, and several individuals stopped by to chat or have us look up someone. Following this event, several members of the camp journeyed to the Green Cemetery in Northern Mitchell County to place two Veterans’ Administration markers on Confederate graves. One was for Jackson Stewart of the 58th NCT, who was also Mitchell County’s first sheriff. The other was a centotaph for Jasper Stewart, who was killed in action at Kolb’s Farm in 1864.

Finally, members of Camp 1946 gathered in the old Bakersville Cemetery for a candlelight service. There are ten Confederate soldiers buried at old Bakersville Cemetery. The event was well attended and we were happy to see some old friends and to make some new ones. As an added bonus, Jan and Randy Stewart brought their cannon and added three rounds of artillery fire to the rifled-muskets.

Overall, we had a great weekend, recruited some new members, and honored our Confederate ancestors.

Make sure you check out our Flickr account for more photographs.

2010-05-08T15:44:00.001-04:00

For the past three or four weeks, members of the Col. Palmer Camp have been out placing flags on the graves of Confederate soldiers in the cemeteries of the Toe River Valley. This year, as in years past, the camp has placed about four hundred flags in Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery Counties. We added some new cemeteries this year and found some new graves. In Northern Yancey County, we were able to document the graves of these soldiers:

John Taylor Beaver, Company C, 58th North Carolina Troops
Jerry M. Ferguson, Company B, 29th North Carolina Troops
John W. Wilhite, Company D, 7th North Carolina Cavalry
Henry Howard, Company G, 29th North Carolina Troops
John H. Tomberlin, Company K, 50th North Carolina Troops
Charles Sconce, Company G, 32nd North Carolina Troops

We also found several others in Northern Mitchell County that we are currently looking into.

The Colonel Palmer Camp will be very busy this Saturday with programs in Yancey County at 9:00 am, Bakersville at 12:00 pm, and the old Bakersville Cemetery at 8:00 pm. We hope to see you there.

The picture on the page is that of members of the Colonel Palmer Camp at the grave of John Houston in the Henson’s Creek Cemetery in Avery County.

Upcoming Confederate Memorial Day Activities

2010-04-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Upcoming Confederate Memorial Day Activities

Saturday, May 8, 2010

9:00 Memorial Service on the grounds of the Court House in Burnsville, Yancey County.

12:00 – 4:00 pm Find Your Confederate Ancestor Day at the old Bakersville Court House, Mitchell County.

8:00 pm Candlelight service, old Bakersville Cemetery, Mitchell County.
All events are free and everyone is invited.

Camp Workdays

2010-04-28T12:52:00.001-04:00

Compatriots – Camp workday, tomorrow evening – at the Bailey Cemetery.

Also, this Saturday, all over Mitchell and Yancey Counties, to put up flags. Come out and help us honor our Confederate Veterans.

Welcome Dan!

2010-04-21T10:41:00.001-04:00

Camp 1946 welcome’s its newest member, Dan McKinney.

Col. William B. Creasman

2010-04-18T21:15:00.000-04:00

Since our program this month is on the life of Col. William B. Creasman of the 29th North Carolina Troops, we thought we would continue our look at the life of the Toe River Valley’s high ranking Confederate soldiers. As you might remember, Lt. Col. Samuel Silver of the 58th NCT was our first soldier we examined.

William Burton CREASMAN was born in 1825 in North Carolina, probably in that part of Buncombe County which today is Yancey County. Creasman married 6 April 1848 Joyce Caroline WHEELER, daughter of John WHEELER and Rhoda RAY. They would have eleven children. In 1857, William Creasman was one of the men who helped retrieve Dr. Elisha Mitchell’s body off the mountain after he had fallen to his death. In June and July 1861, Creasman recruited what became known as Company B, 29th North Carolina Troops. He was elected captain on July 3, 1861. Creasman was promoted to major on June 26, 1862; lieutenant colonel, March 16, 1863; and on September 8, 1863, to colonel of the 29th North Carolina Troops. It is believed that Creasman spent a fair deal of time on courts-martial duty in Asheville in 1864. He resigned on or about December 29, 1864, for unknown reasons. Prior to the war, he was a farmer and cabinet maker. After the war, he moved to Buncombe County, where he died on July 9, 1869. His last child, Alice Burton Creasman, was not born until November of that year. Creasman is buried in the Bethel Baptist Church in Buncombe County.

One of Creasman’s great, great, grandsons will be speaking at our meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at our regular meeting. Everyone is invited to attend.

2010-04-14T18:10:00.001-04:00

Your are invited to join us this Saturday

April 17, 2010

For a walking tour of
Civil War Era

Burnsville

We will meet at 1:00 pm
on the green in front of the library.
This event is FREE and everyone is invited.

Camp workday – Old Zion Church Cemetery.

2010-04-01T13:59:00.001-04:00

Compatriots – we will meeting this Saturday (April 3, 2010) at the Old Zion Church Cemetery. We hope to get the fence finished.

Stone for Robert A. Rumples

2010-03-31T14:17:00.003-04:00

Members of Camp 1946 recently joined with members of the Zebulon Baird Vance Camp 15 out of Asheville to place a stone for Robert A. Rumples of the 29th North Carolina Troops. Rumples is buried in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

According to the Troop books, Rumples resided in Yancey County where he enlisted at the age of 28 on July 3, 1861. He was mustered in as a private in Company B, 29th North Carolina Troops. Rumples was promoted to sergeant on May 2, 1862, and was reduced back to the rank of private prior to March 31, 1864. He was last reported on the records of his company on December 19, 1864 (the records of the 29th NCT are woefully incomplete).

Rumples was the brother-in-law to another Yancey County Confederate: William B. Creasman, who served as colonel of the 29th North Carolina from September 18, 1863 to December 29, 1864. Creasman is buried just a few feet from Rumples.

Check out our flickr account for a few more photos.

Workday this Saturday

2010-03-23T12:20:00.000-04:00

Work day this Saturday – we are meeting at Hardees in Burnsville at 10:00 am, and will then be traveling to Asheville to place the tombstone for Sgt. Rumples of the 29th NCT at the Bethel Baptist Church. We hope to see you there.

Upcoming events

2010-03-17T12:28:00.001-04:00

We have a lot of exciting events coming up in the near future and we look forward in seeing you there.

On April 17, we are sponsoring a program entitled “The Civil War in Burnsville: A Walking Tour.” Join members of the camp at 1:00 pm as we explore downtown Burnsville and its role during the War, including the April 1864 Burnsville Raid.

This spring, members of the Camp will gather to place flags on the graves of Confederate soldiers in the Toe River Valley. North Carolinians have been decorating the graves of Confederate soldiers since 1867, and Confederate Memorial Day is a state holiday.

On May 8, the public is invited to participate in a host of events to commemorate Confederate Memorial day. There will be a public service on the grounds of the Yancey County Court House in the morning, followed by a Find Your Confederate Ancestor program in Bakersville. That evening, there will be a candlelight service at the old Bakersville Cemetery.

On May 29 we are planning to day trip to Knoxville to explore War Between the States sites. More details on this will follow soon.

Next meeting

2010-03-13T20:06:00.001-05:00

The next meeting of the Colonel John B. Palmer Camp 1946 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at the Towncenter in beautiful downtown Burnsville. We meet at 6:30 pm. Cmd. Joel Fesperman from Stanley County will be speaking. David Long, who is selling off part of his War Between the States library, will be present – bring your check books and a friend.

29th NCT at the battle of Allatoona, GA

2010-03-05T13:12:00.004-05:00

There were approximately 514 men from the Toe River Valley who served in the 29th North Carolina Troops. One of their major efforts during the war was at the battle of Allatoona, Georgia, in October 1864. There is currently an effort underway to erect a monument to the 29th NCT and its sister regiment, the 39th NCT, on the Allatoona battlefield. Below is the after action report of the 29th NCT’s commander, Maj. Ezekiel H. Hampton.

Report of Major Ezekiel H. Hampton, Twenty Ninth North Carolina Infantry, Ector’s brigade.
Headquarters Twenty Ninth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Tuscumbia, Ala., November 1, 1864

Sir: My regiment was formed on the left of Young’s brigade on the 5th of October, at 9 a.m., ready for the action at Allatoona. At 10 a.m. we were ordered forward upon the enemy. My regiment moved forward as a unit through the timber, which was very thick. The enemy were meanwhile pouring a heavy fire into our ranks. My regiment had to advance through the forest farther than the other regiments of the brigade, and not being able to see the brigade got separated from and in advance of the brigade. Upon arriving to where the timber was all felled I saw my regiment was separated from the other regiments, and being exposed to heavy fire from the enemy, and supposing the remainder of the brigade to be in advance, I ordered my regiment forward at the double quick to within forty feet of the enemy’s outer works, where I halted, ordered the men to lie down, rest and load. After resting from three to five minutes, I ordered my regiment forward. The order was promptly obeyed. They moved into the enemy’s works, where they had a hand to hand encounter with sword, bayonet, butt of muskets, rocks, &c., killing a good many and capturing 25 or 30 prisoners and the enemy’s entrenchments; thence the regiment moved forward to within twenty yards of the foe’s last and strong fort, where they remained contending with the enemy until with drawn by order of Major General French, when they fell back in good order.

I took 138 aggregate into action and came out minus 12 killed and 39 wounded, and 3 missing.

All honor is due my regiment, both officers and men, for their promptness in obedience to orders and their gallantry on the field. And although every man did his duty, I must speak of the conduct of Sgt. John Rich. Lieutenant Alexander, and Sgt W.J. Parker. Sergeant Rich was carrying the colors in front of the regiment crying "come ahead boy’s" when he was severely wounded and fell. The colors were scarcely to the ground before they were hoisted by Lieutenant E.B. Alexander, commanding Company C. He threw them to the breeze saying "come on, my brave boy’s!" but he did not get more than fifteen paces before he was killed. Sergeant Parker of Company F, took up the colors and again threw them to the breeze, and carried them to and planted them on the enemy’s inner works. Here he was severely wounded in the face. He then took up the flag, captured a fine horse, and came out with flag, horse, and his first Lieutenant, who was severely wounded in the leg.

Very respectfully submitted by your obedient servant, E.H. Hampton Major, Commanding Twenty-ninth North Carolina Regiment.

Field and Staff Major Ezekiel H. Hampton was from the Jacks Creek Section of Yancey County. He had previously served as Captain of Company G. Appointed Major on August 15, 1864, to rank from March 16, 1863.

Color Sgt. John R. Rich: Born in Buncombe County where he resided prior to enlisting at age 19, August 6, 1861. Mustered in as Color Sergeant. Appointed Ensign (1st Lieutenant ) on October 28, 1864 to rank from September 24, 1864. Took the oath of Allegiance at Waynesville on May 1, 1865

Company A Cherokee County
Pvt. James M. Brown - Captured 10/5/ 1864
Pvt. James A. Payne - Captured 10/5/1864

Company B Yancey County
Pvt. William A. Cody - NC pension records indicate he was wounded 10/4/1864

Company C Buncombe County
1st. Lt. Erasmus B. Alexander - Killed in action at Altoona, GA on 10/5/1864
Pvt. William J. Gudger - NC pension records indicate he was wounded at Altoona, GA on 10/5/1864

Company D Madison County
No men reported killed or wounded at Altoona, GA on 10/5/1864

Company E Haywood County
Pvt. Aseph W. Allison - Mortally wounded 10/5/1864
Pvt. Rueben Beasley - Last reported in the records of this company on 10/3/1864

Company F Jackson County
Capt. James L. Conley - Killed in action 10/5/1864
Sgt. William J. Parker - Wounded at Altoona, GA on 10/5/1864

Company G Yancey County
Pvt. Robert Edwards - NC widows pension states he was killed in action at Altoona, GA on 10/5/1864
Pvt. John B. Heath - Captured 10/5/1864

Company H Buncombe County
Pvt. Calvin Robinson - Captured 10/5/1864

Company I Mitchell County
Pvt. Emmanuel M. Rose - NC pension application indicates he was wounded in the right thigh at Altoona, GA in October 1864
Pvt. William Young - NC pension records indicate he was wounded in the right arm 10/5/1864

Company K Yancey County
Sgt. Newton A. McIntosh - Wounded in the right arm and breast 10/5/1864
Pvt. Albert McIntosh – captured.

Workday

2010-02-26T11:43:00.000-05:00

The workday at the Old Zion Church Cemetery on Saturday, February 27, has been cancelled due to the weather. We will reschedule this for a later date.

Looking for these soldiers.

2010-02-09T16:20:00.000-05:00

All of these men were from the Toe River Valley area and served in Company B, 29th North Carolina Troops. A few transferred to Company K. If you know where any of these men are buried, please drop us line.

Thomas Calloway Pvt.
John L. Case Pvt.
Thomas Elkins Pvt.
Mark England Pvt.
Allen Fender Pvt.
Isaham Fender Pvt.
Samuel Grant Pvt.
James Greene Pvt.
James W. Harris Pvt.
Nathan M. Harris Pvt.
Nelson Harris Pvt.
Thomas D. Harris Pvt.
W.A. Harris Pvt.
Abram Hensley Pvt.
Andrew J. Hensley Pvt.
Bacchus S. Hensley 2Lt.
G.M Hensley Pvt.
Howard Hensley Pvt.
James B. Hensley Pvt.
Jesse Hensley Pvt.
John A. Hensley Pvt.
Lewis W. Hensley Pvt.
Silas Hensley Pvt.
W.M. Hicks Pvt.
William Hubbard Pvt.
D. V. Hunter Pvt.
D.M. Ingle Pvt.
A.L Johnson Pvt.
Emory Jones Pvt.
James B. Kaiser Pvt.
James W. Kendrick Pvt.
Robert E. King Pvt

Lt. Col. Samuel M. SIlver

2010-02-01T10:58:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, you just can’t believe what you read. A few months back, I had a discussion with someone at one of our local historical festivals, involving who commanded the 58th NCT during the battle of Bentonville. Standing on the square in the town of Burnsville, without any notes, I was quite certain that it was Maj. G. W. F. Harper. My friend was sure he had read it was Lt. Col. Samuel M. Silver. I now understand where my friend got his information.

Samuel Marion Silver was born on December 30, 1833, in present-day Mitchell County. He enlisted in Capt. John Keener’s Company on June 25, 1862. Keener’s company became Company K of the 58th North Carolina Troops on July 29, 1862. Silver rose through the ranks, being elected a lieutenant, and when Keener was promoted, Captain, of Company K.

In 1864, with a high rate of attrition of field officers in the 58th NCT, the position of Major was open. Colonel Palmer, who was no longer assigned to the regiment, but remained its colonel, recommended Captain Silver. One of Silver’s fellow line officers, Captain A. T. Stewart (Company E), believed that the promotion should be his. Stewart would get the promotion, but was killed on August 31, 1864, at the battle of Jonesboro. Silver was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 29, 1864, and commanded the 58th North Carolina Troops. He served in this position un March 16, 1865, when he submitted his resignation, claiming that he was “sufficiently educated to perform the executive duties of the office” he had, and that the situation of his family in western North Carolina, subjected to “tories and deserters,” necessitated his presence. Interestingly, Silver’s application was rejected. However, he had left the regiment.

In 1901, in response to a query for histories of various regiments, Isaac Bailey, a former Captain of Company B, sent in some notes, mostly about the battle of Chickamauga. Bailey was wounded during the battle of Chickamauga and would eventually retire. He was not present during the battle of Bentonville. Concerning the battle, Bailey wrote: “On 19-21 March at Bentonville, the last battle ever fought by our war-worn soldiers, [the 58th NCT] was a part of General Jos. B, Palmer’s Brigade and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Silver, fought with accustomed valor. (Clark’s NC Troops)

However, this is not what those who participated in the battle wrote. On March 29, 1865, just a few days after the battle, Brig. Gen. Joseph Palmer praised the 58th NCT, writing that “Capt. G. W. F. Harper, commanding Fifty-eighth North Carolina… handled [his] command with ability and bore [himself] handsomely through the day…” (Official Records, vol. 47, pt. 1:1101) One of the first things you are taught regarding historical research, is to put more credence in what was written at the time, not what was written forty years later by someone who was not there.

Following the War, Samuel Silver moved around. He lived in Mitchell County and McDowell Count; he then went to Texas, and finally settled in Oregon where he died in 1922.

2010-01-25T17:34:00.001-05:00

Congrats to our newest member, Compatriot James Street.

Congratulations!

2009-12-17T09:35:00.001-05:00

Congrats to our 2009 member of year, Compatriot Edd Silver, pictured here to the right of Camp 1946 commander Mike Ledford.

Meeting tonight.

2009-12-15T10:03:00.000-05:00

Camp 1946 will be having their annual Christmas party and award presentation tonight at 6:30 pm at the Town Center in Burnsville. We hope you have your ticket. The Rev. Herman White, NC SCV Division Chaplain, will be speaking. We look forward to seeing you there.

Old Zion Church Cemetery - Yancey County

2009-12-11T10:46:00.002-05:00

Pioneers first ventured in the Toe River Valley in the late 1700s, after the area became open to white settlement. These early settlers brought with them their deep religious convictions and churches began to spring up in fertile fields of the area. One of those churches was Zion Baptist Church, located in the Green Mountain Community. Zion was established in 1800, and one of the first pastors was W. C. Parsons. Members of the church included the Riddle, Ayers, and Bailey families. Not only was a log church constructed, but on a hill, across from the church, a burial ground was created.

It is unknown who was the first person buried in what is now known as the Old Zion Cemetery. There are numerous field stones that mark the graves of long-departed souls. The earliest marked grave is that of Nancy E. Hughes, wife of John Hughes, who departed on October 5, 1865. The last recorded burial is that of Jonnah Wallace, who died in 1950. You can see a listing of recorded burials here.

At some point, the cemetery was abandoned and nature started to reclaim the area. A few years ago, the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 became interested in the Old Zion Cemetery. There are at least six Confederate soldiers interred in the cemetery. Camp 1946 contacted the land owners and, with their permission, began cutting trees and brush from the grounds. Currently, they are working on placing a split rail fence around the cemetery.

Former Confederate soldiers buried here are:

Meshac Ayers Co. G 29 NCT

Jeremiah Ayers Co. G, 29th NCT

Jackson Briggs Co. C 58 NCT

John Hughes Co. C, 58th NCT

John S. Huskins Co. K, 58th NCT

Hiram Peak Co. B and D, 29th NCT

We’ve created a folder on our Flickr account with some images from the cemetery and various workdays. Check them out.

Passing of member Ted Howell

2009-12-02T14:17:00.002-05:00

Camp 1946 Members:It is our sad duty to inform you that compatriot Ted Howell passed over the river this morning and has entered glory. Ted was a long-time member of Camp 1946, and had served as lieutenant commander of the camp for several years. His presence will be sorely missed in our ranks, but his enthusiasm and dedication will continue to inspire us all. There will be a graveside service at noon this Friday at Rebel’s Creek Baptist Church in Mitchell County. All camp members are invited to attend, though it is not a Civil War service.

Please keep Ted’s family in your prayers during this difficult time, especially so close to the holidays.

Kindest Regards,
Michael C. Hardy
Public Relations Officer
Camp 1946

Recent living history photos.

2009-11-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

New photos have been added to our flickr account from the living history we did for the Heritage Homeschoolers in Avery County. Click on our flickr account below. Thanks to Dr. Smith for taking and submitting these.

Next meeting

2009-11-15T20:30:00.001-05:00

The Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 and the Martha Reid Silver Confederate Memorial Association will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 pm at the Town Center in Burnsville. Everyone is invited to attend. At this month’s meeting Lt. Div. Commander Danny Bolick will be speaking about observation balloons used during the war.

Round Table tonight

2009-11-10T08:52:00.001-05:00

Folks – the living history this past weekend for the Heritage Homeschoolers went great!! Picture will be posted soon.

Tonight is the Avery County and the Civil War Round Table discussion. It is at the Avery-Morrison Public Library at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited and please bring a friend.

Lost soldiers

2009-11-06T10:03:00.001-05:00

Greetings folks! Here is our next list of men who served in the Confederate Army from the Toe River Valley area that we do not know where their burial site is located? Any help? These men were all from Yancey County.

Presley D. Blankenship Lt.
John Hensley 1st Lt.
William A. Ray 1st Lt.
Jackson Allen Pvt.
William G. Angel Pvt.
Charles Austin Pvt.
Edward C. Austin Pvt.
James Austin Pvt.
William S. Baker Pvt.
R. H. W. Barker Pvt.
George L. Beaver Pvt.
J. H. Benfield Pvt.
George Berger Pvt.
James Biggs Pvt.
John B. Blankenship Pvt.
John W. Boone Pvt.
Jeremiah Brown Pvt.

Three hospitals

2009-10-27T14:56:00.000-04:00

To say that the Toe River Valley was involved in turmoil during the Civil War would be an understatement. There were men leaving to serve in front-line Confederate regiments, recruiting for Federal regiments, inter-family clashes, and neighbor versus neighbor struggles.

There are also rumors of three different hospitals in the area. The first was supposed to be in Elk Park, and the source is said to be Trotter’s book, Bushwhackers. I read this book some time ago, and I go back to it from time to time. Elk Park is not in the index, and I am not sure what page it is on. The probability is that there was not an Elk Park until the railroad came through about two decades after the war. Elk Park was created as a answer to the company-owned Cranberry, just a couple of miles up the road. Cranberry, on the other hand, was a wide enough spot in the road to have gained a post office in 1850 (long before the railroad). I wish I had other information on this, but I do not.

Second, I have heard of a Confederate hospital in Bakersville. John Baker, a member of Company I, 29th NCT, came home sick and died in a hospital in Bakersville. We believe that Baker is buried in the old Bakersville Cemetery beside his father. Chances are there was not a real “hospital” in Bakersville, but someone’s home or a vacant building. But that is the story the way that I hear it.

Third: in one of Lloyd Bailey’s Toe River Heritage books, the first I think, there was mention of a smallpox hospital in Pensacola. Who worked in the hospital, how many patients, or exactly where it was located are so far all part of the mystery.

So many times, information regarding this time period comes in fragments just like the three that I present above. It could be that someone out there has more information. Or, we must be ready to come to grips with the reality that what information that might be out there is already gone, save for these glimpses into the past.

Lost Avery County soldiers

2009-10-23T11:39:00.000-04:00

Greetings folks! I’ve been going through the Confederate pension records for Avery County. All of these men found below received a Confederate pension from the state of North Carolina, but I do not know where they are buried. Look over this list and see if you can fill in a couple of my blanks.

Bennett, R. G. 21st VA, Co. I Banner Elk
Brewster, J. M. 37th NCT, Co. E Altamont
Carpenter, Jacob 58th NCT, Co. A Altamont (This is Uncle Jake)
Cook, John M. 58th NCT, Co. A Saginaw
Fortner, Alexander 16th NCT, Co. C, Saginaw
Fostner, J. H., 56th NCT, Co. C Saginaw
Gray, W. D., 35th NCT, Co. B Hale
Hobson, B. 29th NCT, Co. I Valley
Harvel, William 58th NCT. Co. A Ingalls
Maltba, T. L. 55th NCT, Co. F Altamont
Norwood, William L. 31st NCT, Co. E Banner Elk
Ollis, Davis 7th NCST, Co. C. Ingalls
Pucket, Joseph 29th NCT, Co. E Minneapolis
Rose, E. M. 29th NCT, Co. I Saginaw
Sellers, J. P. 6th NCST, Co. E Altamont
Summerow, J. C. 26th NCT, Co. I Saginaw
Thomas, Jacob 6th NCST, Co. E Minneapolis
Tucker, Joseph 2nd NCST, Co. A Hole
Turbyfield, J. P. 58th NCT, Co. A Elk Park
Wright, T. W. 6th NCST, Co. E. Altamont
Vance, T. D. 58th NCT, Co. A. Ingalls

Upcoming events

2009-10-19T18:57:00.000-04:00

Greetings folks! Lots going on this month with our local SCV camp. The group is holding a Find Your Confederate Ancestor day at the Yancey County Public Library this Saturday, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. There will be photographs and other displays pertaining to local Yancey County Confederate soldiers. We will also be around to help folks find their Confederate ancestors. We are always looking for other photographs or letters or stories to add to our collection. This is a free event and open to anyone. That is this Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Yancey County Public Library (in the annex), from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

On October 20, 2009, author Fred Ray, who has written a book on Confederate Sharpshooters, will be speaking at the monthly meeting of the Col. John B. Palmer Camp 1946 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The group meets for dinner at 6:30 pm in the Town Center in beautiful downtown Burnsville. This event is also free (donations are accepted to cover the cost of the meal and room), and everyone is invited.

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, the Col. Palmer Camp will be hosting a Mitchell County and the Civil War discussion. This event is also free and open to the public. It will start at 6:30 pm at the Masonic Lodge in Bakersville. We will be talking about local soldiers, battles and skirmishes, civilians in the area, and whatever comes to the mind that relates to the war.

On November 10, 2009, there will be a similar discussion on Avery County and the War, held at the Avery County Public Library in Newland, North Carolina. Avery County has a host of interesting people and events from the 1860s time period. Once again, we will be talking about these people and places and events, all the from the 1860s time period. We will meet at 6:30 pm in the downstairs meeting room.

All of these events are free and open to the public and suitable for most age groups.