An Unexpected Gift On Christmas Day, I received an unexpected and most welcome message from James Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence, a descendant of Private James Daniel Williams of Company I, has several letters written by his ancestor. He graciously sent scans of the letters to me. Notes on Transcription Transcribing the Williams letters took some effort.… Continue reading “I don’t know what will become of me”: The James D. Williams Letters
Category: 51st North Carolina
General Clingman’s Report to Governor Vance on Operations in Charleston
Transcript of report written by General Clingman for Governor Vance on August 4, 1863. The report appears to be a draft because of the numerous mark-throughs. [?] indicates an illegible word. Source: Clingman Papers, Folder 13, scans 3 to 15. Sullivans Island Aug 4 1863 Sir In accordance with your wishes I proceed to give… Continue reading General Clingman’s Report to Governor Vance on Operations in Charleston
The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 5 of 5)
This is the final post of the Dugald Hammonds series. Below is the trial transcript from Hammonds’ court martial. Other posts in this series: Part 1: Early life Part 2: Confederate service Part 3: Union service Part 4: Court martial and death Transcript of Proceedings in Court Martial of Private Dugald Hammonds Proceedings of a… Continue reading The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 5 of 5)
The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 4 of 5)
Articles of War ART. 7. Any officer or soldier who shall begin, excite, cause, or join in, any mutiny or sedition, in any troop or company in the service of the United States, or in any party, post, detachment, or guard, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as by a courtmartial shall be inflicted.… Continue reading The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 4 of 5)
The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 3 of 5)
During the early morning of September 6, 1864, Private Dugald Hammonds was on guard duty aboard the steamboat Effie Deans. Hammons walked up to Corporal Augell and casually said, “If I was you and a man wanted to jump overboard I would let him, I wouldn’t say a word to him.” Before the end of… Continue reading The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 3 of 5)
The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 2 of 5)
During the early morning of September 6, 1864, Private Dugald Hammonds was on guard duty aboard the steamboat “Effie Deans.” Hammons walked up to Corporal Augell and casually said, “If I was you and a man wanted to jump overboard, I would let him, I wouldn’t say a word to him.” Before the end of… Continue reading The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 2 of 5)
The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 1 of 5)
During the early morning of September 6, 1864, Private Dugald Hammonds was on guard duty aboard the steamboat Effie Deans. Hammonds walked up to Corporal Augell and casually said, “If I was you and a man wanted to jump overboard, I would let him, I wouldn’t say a word to him.” Before the end of… Continue reading The Court-Martial of Dugald Hammonds (part 1 of 5)
“He is hard to fool and to catch”
On May 21, 1863, Lieutenant Lemuel Keith, Company G, 61st Regiment North Carolina Troops, was put in charge of a detail to find and arrest Lieutenant John McAllister. McAllister, 51st North Carolina, Company A, was absent without leave after overstaying his sick furlough. Keith and his detail searched near McAllister’s home at Hilton in New… Continue reading “He is hard to fool and to catch”
Rounding Up Deserters in Robeson County
In early February 1863, a Mr. Swann of Lumberton wrote a letter to General Whiting in Wilmington requesting military assistance in Robeson County. Bands of deserters, hiding in the swamps, were terrorizing the county’s citizens. Local militia seemed unable to protect the residents or their property. Whiting ordered General Clingman to send an armed force… Continue reading Rounding Up Deserters in Robeson County
The “Rations Row” of November 25, 1864
On the morning of November 25, 1864, the 31st North Carolina’s commissary sergeant drew rations for his regiment’s 295 men. Each man was allowed a pound of flour and 1/3 pound of meat per day. But this particular day, the meat “was in a very filthy condition being covered with dirt and ashes.” The regiment’s… Continue reading The “Rations Row” of November 25, 1864