Jospeh Boykin Underwood was a very wealthy heir. In the 1860 census, Underwood listed his occupation as “gentleman.” His military career was unimpressive, but after the war he became an inventor, receiving at least 14 patents. Joseph Boykin Underwood was born in Sampson County on March 6, 1838. His parents, John and Mary Boykin Underwood,… Continue reading The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: Joseph Boykin Underwood
Category: 51st North Carolina
The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: Willis P. Moore
The genealogies I was able to locate while researching Willis Moore are suspect, so the information presented here is not as thorough as I’d like it to be. And I couldn’t find out what his middle initial stood for. Moore was just your average wealthy planter with a blind wife and who was once charged… Continue reading The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: Willis P. Moore
The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: James R. McDonald
James R. McDonald [I was unable to find out what the “R” stood for] was born on June 18, 1826, in Cumberland County. His father made a comfortable living as a saddler in Fayetteville, allowing James to attend school and get a solid education. In 1849, James McDonald’s younger sister, Elizabeth, married Fayetteville merchant Poindexter… Continue reading The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: James R. McDonald
The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: Caleb Bond Hobson
Caleb Bond Hobson was born in Surry County on January 4, 1831. [NOTE: Hobson’s birthplace became part of Yadkin County in 1850.] He was the sixth child of Stephen Hobson and Mary Bond. Sadly, Caleb’s mother died eight months after her youngest son was born. Stephen Hobson remarried and had one son, John, also known… Continue reading The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: Caleb Bond Hobson
The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: George Fennel Walker
George Fennel Walker was born in New Hanover County on June 27, 1832. He was the fourth child of Edward and Ann Walker, who owned a plantation in the Colvin’s Creek community. George attended school as a child, and when he grew up, he helped his father run the plantation. In December 1858, George married… Continue reading The 51st North Carolina’s Captains: George Fennel Walker
The Scotch Tigers’ “Crappy” New Camp
A soldier’s life was a hard one. The daily routine of drill and manual labor ensured that a fighting man was given little opportunity to relax and enjoy the serenity of camp. And sometimes, he was called upon to perform some extremely unpleasant duty. This excerpt from John McGeachy’s letter of May 15, 1862 (written… Continue reading The Scotch Tigers’ “Crappy” New Camp
The Great Shohola Train Wreck
On the morning of July 15, 1864, Engine #171 left Jersey City headed for Elmira. The locomotive was pulling a tender and eighteen boxcars fitted with benches. The cargo consisted of 833 Confederate prisoners and 125 Union guards. Among the prisoners were 108 soldiers of the 51st North Carolina. All but three of the Tarheels… Continue reading The Great Shohola Train Wreck
Lieutenant John McAllister’s Pension Woes
[See John McAllister’s account of his naval service HERE] BIOGRAPHY John William McAllister was born on June 16, 1838, in New Hanover County. He was the first of 10 children born to Hector and Elizabeth McAllister. The McAllister’s were successful farmers in the Colvin’s Creek Community, now part of Pender County. In 1859, John married… Continue reading Lieutenant John McAllister’s Pension Woes
Inventories of Dead Soldiers’ Effects
When a soldier died in camp, the officer in charge of his company completed an inventory of the dead soldier’s effects. If the death occurred in a hospital, the Head Surgeon completed the inventory. The inventory included cash the soldier had in his possession, clothing issued to the soldier and pay owed to the soldier.… Continue reading Inventories of Dead Soldiers’ Effects
Boy Soldier and Bold Vigilante: The H. H. Biggs Story
On February 28, 1862, Hugh Biggs enlisted as a private in Company E, 51st Regiment NCT. At enlistment, Biggs, a Robeson County resident, claimed he was 21 years of age and farmed for a living. The new private’s military career got off to a bad start when he was hospitalized for measles in May. Once… Continue reading Boy Soldier and Bold Vigilante: The H. H. Biggs Story