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.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Next meeting
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.
Friday, March 5, 2010
29th NCT at the battle of Allatoona, GA
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.
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.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Workday
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Looking for these soldiers.
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
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
Monday, February 1, 2010
Lt. Col. Samuel M. SIlver
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.
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.
Monday, January 25, 2010
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