On May 1, 1864, Company I, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops, moved from Petersburg to Ivor Station to join the rest of Clingman’s brigade on an expedition to Suffolk. The company had 129 men on its rolls. Six of the men were absent. Over the previous two years, the company had lost only two men… Continue reading Company I Casualties from May to September 1864
Author: Kirk
William R. Best Letters to “Cousin”
Note: this is the last of the letters I downloaded from the Private Voices website. William Reddin Best was born and raised in Duplin County. On April 16, 1861, at age 19, he enlisted as a private in 1st Company C, 36th Regiment North Carolina Troops. He served in the company for a year before… Continue reading William R. Best Letters to “Cousin”
Battle of Bentonville Reenactment March 15, 2025
I attended my first reenactment yesterday at Bentonville. It was a good experience. I finally got to hear the “crash” of musketry I’ve read about. There was much to see and do. It was definitely a worthwhile trip. A few photos and video clips are below.
William H. Strickland Letter to Family
Following is a heavily edited transcript of a letter Private William H. Strickland wrote to his “aunts and uncle” in September 1864, while he was home on furlough. This letter is part of the Sally G. Quinn Papers viewable on the Private Voices website (https://altchive.org/node/281). The original transcript is also available on 51stnct.com HERE. Magnolia… Continue reading William H. Strickland Letter to Family
How to Tan Squirrel Hide into Shoe Leather
Almost as soon as the war began, the South experienced shortages of many basic necessities. The war effort took priority, and the civilian population had to rely on alternative sources for food, clothing and medicine. On September 9, 1863, the Fayetteville Observer reprinted the article below from the Richmond Whig. The article gives detailed instructions… Continue reading How to Tan Squirrel Hide into Shoe Leather
Pvt. Jeremiah Strickland Letter to His Sister-in-Law
Jeremiah Strickland enlisted as a private in Company B, 51st North Carolina, on 29 May 1862. He was a 43-year-old farmer, living in Duplin County at the time of his enlistment. Strickland served with the company throughout the war, although he was hospitalized at least three times for illness. His son, William H., enlisted in… Continue reading Pvt. Jeremiah Strickland Letter to His Sister-in-Law
Ichabod Quinn Letters: A Summary
Background Private Ichabod Quinn, a 37-year-old farmer from Duplin County, enlisted in Company C, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops on March 6, 1862. Eight of his personal letters are contained in the Sally G. Quinn Collection at Duke University. The full transcripts are posted on the Private Voices website at https://altchive.org/node/281. I have also uploaded… Continue reading Ichabod Quinn Letters: A Summary
“It is so bad that it will almost skin the top of your head” Willis Holland to His Sister, Mary
The letter below is part of the Sally G. Quinn collection of transcripts on the Private Voices website (https://altchive.org/node/281). The transcript has been heavily edited to improve readability. The original transcript can be viewed HERE. Willis J. Holland (b. 1818) was a yeoman farmer in Duplin County. He wrote the following letter to his sister,… Continue reading “It is so bad that it will almost skin the top of your head” Willis Holland to His Sister, Mary
Samuel Guy to Governor Vance: “I warnt fit for service nor never would be again”
The following transcript is an edited version of a transcript posted on the Private Voices website. I corrected spelling, grammar and format to improve readability. The original transcript is available HERE. BACKGROUND: Samuel James Guy was one of six brothers who served in Company I, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops. He enlisted in Cumberland County… Continue reading Samuel Guy to Governor Vance: “I warnt fit for service nor never would be again”
Letter to Gov. Vance: “there ain’t no bigger liar”
The following transcript is an edited version of a transcript posted on the Private Voices website. I corrected spelling, grammar and format to improve readability. The original transcript is available HERE. BACKGROUND: Gerome Prosper FormyDuval, born October 12, 1821, resided near Old Dock in Columbus County. His son, Coval, served as a private in Company… Continue reading Letter to Gov. Vance: “there ain’t no bigger liar”