Background Reverend John R. Kelly, a recent graduate of Wake Forest, was living in Columbus County when the war began. On March 7, 1862, the 24-year-old minister joined the Columbus Light Infantry, which was forming in response to Raleigh’s call for more troops. Ten days after enlisting, Kelly was elected captain of the company. A… Continue reading Family Ties: John Kelly’s Many Siblings
Category: 51st North Carolina
Dr. James Wellons, Soldier and Doctor
James David Thomas Wellons grew up on his father’s farm in Johnston County. As a young man, he left the family farm and moved to faraway Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in medicine. On July 5, 1862, Doctor Wellons enlisted as a private in Company K of… Continue reading Dr. James Wellons, Soldier and Doctor
Lt. Colonel William Anderson Allen
William Anderson Allen was born on April 29, 1825 in Wake County. His family were long-time farmers in Wake County. Allen grew up on his father’s farm and attended Wake Forest as a young man. He earned a law degree and was elected to the House of Commons shortly after his graduation. After serving one… Continue reading Lt. Colonel William Anderson Allen
What Really Happened at Swift Creek?
NOTE: I am reposting this article. For reference material supporting this post, see Analysis: Swift Creek, May 9, 1864. The Problem with Sources While researching The Honor of the State, I came across an interesting article in the May 17, 1864 Daily Confederate. The article, copied from the Petersburg Express, describes the rout of a… Continue reading What Really Happened at Swift Creek?
Beast Butler’s Big Fizzle
The Situation By the autumn of 1864, an estimated half of the Army of Northern Virginia’s supplies were coming through Wilmington. General Robert E. Lee felt that without Wilmington, he would not be able to defend Richmond. He considered the defense of Wilmington to be critical to the survival of his army. The war planners… Continue reading Beast Butler’s Big Fizzle
Locating Wilmington’s Civil War Hospitals
Where Was Confederate Hospital #4? According to Robert Cooke’s wonderful transcription of Confederate Hospital #4’s records, 376 of the 51st North Carolina’s soldiers were treated at the facility. While I was transferring information from Mr. Cooke’s file to the regiment’s service records, I began to wonder where Hospital #4 was located. I knew it was… Continue reading Locating Wilmington’s Civil War Hospitals
Private William Brewer: Killed Twice but Survived the War
After major engagements, North Carolina Regiments submitted casualty lists to their hometown newspapers. Private William Brewer’s name appeared twice in casualty lists, once as killed and again as mortally wounded. Despite being killed twice, Brewer maaged to survive the war. William Brewer enlisted as a private in Company F, 51st Regiment NC Troops on March… Continue reading Private William Brewer: Killed Twice but Survived the War
The Turnips Were Not a Peace Offering
Gage’s Letter to McKethan Recently, I came across an interesting letter on UNC-Chapel Hill’s “The Civil War Day to Day” website. The letter was from Brigade Commissary R. S. Gage to Colonel Hector McKethan, commanding Clingman’s Brigade. Gage informs McKethan that the turnips and cabbage he recently issued to the brigade’s soldiers were not in… Continue reading The Turnips Were Not a Peace Offering
The Order Was Given to Forward, and We “Forwarded.”
One soldier’s account of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign was published in the Wilmington Journal on June 2, 1864. HEADQ’RS BEAUREGARD’S ARMY, Near Drewry’s Bluff, May 25th, 1864. Messrs. Editors: As our Regiment (the 51st NC) was made up in the Cape Fear District, a few lines relative to its whereabouts and conditions may not… Continue reading The Order Was Given to Forward, and We “Forwarded.”
We Began the Fight Just One Month Today…
Casualty Lists North Carolina’s regiments occasionally sent casualty lists to their hometown newspapers. The lists kept the folks at home up to date on how their boys were doing. After a major battle, the papers would be full of the names of the killed and wounded. The list below was written by Company E’s acting… Continue reading We Began the Fight Just One Month Today…