See You In The Field: Sixth North Carolina State Troops History

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The North Carolina Grays- Will their flag ever fly again?

With the recent announcement of the achievement of their Conservation fund raising goal, let's take another look at the history of this interesting flag.

North Carolina Company Flag , (State Seal Canton) artifact 19xx-330-174c,
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, N. C.

Deep in the bowels of the North Carolina Museum of History, in a dark storage drawer, lies the once proud flag of the North Carolina Grays. Lovingly hand stitched out of fine silk by the young ladies of the Cedar Fork community in Wake County, North Carolina, the State Seal hand painted by accomplished artist, Sophia Partridge, the flag was presented with pride to the brothers, fathers, uncles and husbands about to go to war. Today the flag is not only forgotten, it is falling to pieces.

Sofia Partridge of Raleigh, North Carolina (1817-1881)

When the threat of war swept through North Carolina, a young school master named Richard York suspended classes at the Cedar Fork Academy in western Wake County and drilled his pupils, forming one of the earliest militia companies in North Carolina. Both the young boys and girls enthusiastically practiced drilling, but ultimately it was the young men that would march off to fight. The young ladies, wanting to contribute, formed the Cedar Fork Soldiers Relief Society to help their young men survive the ordeal with some of the comforts of home. A period newspaper article quoted their spokeswoman:

“We wish to do something in the defense of our country, that our desire is to render the burdens of those whose duty it is to take a more active part in the defense of the same, as light as possible.”

North Carolina Company Flag , (N. C. Grays Canton) artifact 19xx-330-174b,
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, N. C.

Presenting the boy soldiers with “a handsome flag” to remind them that the folks at home were thinking of them was a primary stated objective of the society. On one side of the Blue silk banner is a single gold star in the white canton framed with their company name “THE NORTH CAROLINA GRAYS” and the reminder “PRESENTED BY THE LADIES OF CEDAR FORK”. On the front of the flag, beneath the Canton’s hand painted State seal, was emblazoned the motto “THE OLD NORTH STATE FOREVER” to remind the boys to do their duty, even when far away from home.

It was presented to the young soldiers during a day long celebration on June 1, 1861 in Morrisville, N. C. attended by throngs of citizens wishing to show their support. The day started with Captain York smartly drilling his men “to the satisfaction of the expectant crowd”. Fifteen year old Miss Fanny Lyon, sister of one of the recruits, stepped forward to give a passionate speech charging them to “aid in the defense of our rights” and presenting to “the brave sons of this vicinity, this beautiful ensign.”

Newly appointed Lieutenant, Malcus Williamson Page accepted the flag and in an equally passionate speech remarked that the sight of the flag would give them cheer and refresh their spirits. He pledged to keep the flag safe through the trials ahead. A number of other prominent local gentlemen took this opportunity to address the crowd before being dismissed to a spurious repast prepared by the ladies of the neighborhood, that was enjoyed by all attending. The closing event was a sermon and presentation of bibles before the soldiers marched off to war under the silken banner floating in the breeze above their heads.

North Carolina Governor John B. Ellis

The North Carolina Grays, now Company I of the Sixth North Carolina State Troops, joined their new comrades at Camp Alamance, in Company Shops, N. C. (present day Burlington) for training. Stopping in Raleigh, on their way to the seat of war in Virginia, they were called on to escort the body of recently deceased N. C. Governor John B. Ellis where the Company flag was used, possibly the only time it flew in an official capacity. Once they joined the Sixth Regiment, a regimental flag would have been flown, rather than their company flag.

Captain York recalled that many of the men took trunks, to carry some of the comforts of home to the battlefield. Finding them cumbersome and unwieldy during campaigning, the trunks were put into storage sometime in the fall of 1861. The flag and York’s dress uniform had been packed in his wife's borrowed Saratoga trunk. This was the last the men ever saw of the flag. At a later date, A Federal cavalry detachment chasing some Confederate “bushwhackers” came upon a cabin containing the trunks, where they has been stored by the North Carolinians when leaving their winter quarter in the spring of 1862. Upon searching the trunks, The Federal’s found and confiscated the contents including spare Confederate uniforms, underwear, linens and the barely used company flag of the “North Carolina Grays”.

During the following war years, Company I and their comrades earned their nickname, “The Bloody Sixth” by becoming experienced combat veterans of nearly every campaign fought by the Army of Northern Virginia. Their precious flag was the last thing on their minds.

a Soldier's Saratoga Trunk, used to store unused Linens, Uniforms and a Flag while campaigning

After the war, the men heard their trunks had fallen into the hands of the Yankees, some blaming it on the treachery of the man left in charge of their belongings. As the soldiers got on with their lives and the battles became distant memories, the men defended their honor by reminding any who questioned them that their flag was stolen, not captured in battle. It had become such a foggy memory that some of the post war descriptions of the flags details were now being “mis-remembered”. York described the flag in 1892 as “On one side the arms of North Carolina and on the other a pine tree in a coiled rattlesnake”. He was only half right. The pine tree motif was more commonly seen on the regiments buttons.

North Carolina officers button with the phrase "Noli me tangere" meaning "Don't tread on me"

By the 1890’s the old soldiers were beginning to reconcile their differences. On the morning of January 30, 1892, veterans of the North Carolina Grays must have been surprised to read a letter from a Yankee in their local newspaper, addressed to them. “I am writing you this letter” wrote Major Thomas W Higgins, of the 73rd regiment of Ohio Infantry, “I now propose to return the flag to the survivors of the “North Carolina Greys" (sic). Higgins explained how he was in charge of the expedition that captured the flag and has had it in his possession, adding that it is “in a tolerably good state of preservation”. He had previously offered it to former N. C. governor Holden at the end of the war, on the condition that “a company be raised to sustain the Union” but in the spirit of reconciliation was now offering it without any conditions.

Newspaper Headline from the The State Chronicle (Raleigh, North Carolina) · Sat, Jan 30, 1892 · Page 1

He received a volley of letters from veterans each directing him how to return the flag, but it was’t until the Chatham Record newspaper suggested in an editorial that the flag return be part of a veterans reunion that Richard York, now known as Major York, organized a committee to plan a gala reunion and accept the flag. The Governor was invited, and on October 7, 1892 over 3,000 showed up in Morrisville, N. C. to see the North Carolina Gray’s get their flag back, at the same place it was originally presented to them. Among the attendees was Mrs. Fannie Lyon Lowe, who presented the flag 31 years earlier. Over 200 local veterans were in attendance. Of the 152 men serving in the company throughout the war, only 67 were left. When reading Company I’s roll, 31 members were present to answer “here”.

Miss Fanny Lyon Lowe

The primary event was Major Higgin’s presentation of the Flag to Major York, who in turn presented it to the Governors representative who proudly accepted it, remarking that it would be “tenderly placed in the State Library at Raleigh, to remain an everlasting reminder of the bravery and devotion”.

Ironically, through this much publicized event the flag became better known and viewed than when it was originally presented in 1861. The tattered relic became a symbol of the lost cause. Besides being on display at the North Carolina State Library, it was present at the dedication of the N. C. Confederate Veterans memorial on May 20, 1895 and flew over more veterans parades than it ever flew over Virginia battlefields. And yet it is a reminder of North Carolina’s heritage. Lovingly made by the daughters of the old North State to demonstrate their devotion, it was presented to the brave young men of their community who answered the call of their state government, many, never to return. This silken banner is a tangible reminder of the devotion of North Carolinians who lived and died a century and a half ago, but whose blood still runs in the veins of their descendants.

Sadly, this flag, like many artifacts from this time period are now in danger. All artifacts can decay over time when not properly conserved due to the adverse effects of light, temperature, humidity and pollutants in the air. Professional conservation can preserve this flag for future generations, but it will be costly. This fragile flag, in the collection of the North Carolina museum of History (19xx-330-174), will cost an estimated $15,000 to conserve before it can be put on display. We are concerned that this particular artifact may perish without our help. Many institutions have limited funding to conserve their collections, which is why The Cedar Fork Rifles Preservation Society, Inc. has begun a fund raising campaign in partnership with the museum. North Carolina has been a diligent stewart of this flag for over a century, but now is the time for us to act. The veterans who gave this flag to the state wanted it to be preserved and seen as a reminder of the sacrifices of her citizens. So do we.

In February 2015 (when this article was originally written), the reenactors and living historians of the Sixth NCST voted to undertake a fundraising campaign to conserve the silk flag of the North Carolina Grays. At the time, it seemed like an overwhelming, nearly impossible task, due to an estimated cost of $14,000-$15,000. With funds left over from completed Sixth North Carolina State Troops Saylor's Creek battle flag conservation project, We were able to kick off this new fund. Various efforts, including personal contributions by members, resulted in a total of $6,000 by late 2018. Close to the half-way point, we were running out of ideas to reach our goal. In 2019, the members of the 26th North Carolina Regiment announced that they would take the N.C. Grays flag as their next preservation effort and joined with us in fund raising.

We are thrilled to announce that the North Carolina Museum of History, holding these funds on our behalf, informed us that we have now raised the $13,742, the amount needed to conserve this flag.

The membership of the Sixth NCST would like to thank everyone who donated to the effort and would especially like to thank the 26th NCT for their help and assistance these past 4 years to reach the goal of conserving this beautiful flag.

Over one hundred and fifty years ago the Cedar Fork community recognized how important is was for each individual to contribute to the cause in their own way. Now it's our turn.

1861 Civil War silk flag, North Carolina Grays Waiting for conservation

On Saturday September 7, 2024, The conserved flag of the North Carolina Grays was dedicated before the public at the North Carolina Museum of History. The Museum, currently being renovated, plans to display this flag when it reopens.

Author, Rick Walton, with the Conserved Flag.

Chancellorsville Fight, the 6th N.C.S.T. at the Forgotten Battle of 2nd Fredericksbu

Setting the stage

Following the battle of Fredericksburg In December 1862, Law's Brigade and the Sixth North Carolina State Troops went into camp near Hamilton's crossing, south of Fredericksburg. On January 19, 1861, they were transferred along with the 54th and 57th Regiments N. C. Troops to General Robert F. Hoke's brigade. Hoke's new “North Carolina” brigade consisted of the 6th Regiment N.C. State Troops, 21st Regiment N.C. Troops (11th Regiment N. C. Volunteers), 54th Regiment N. C. Troops, 57th Regiment N. C. Troops, and the 1st Battalion N. C. Sharpshooters. The newcomers had to march 20 muddy miles to join Hoke's Brigade, camped further south of Hamilton's Crossing near Port Royal, Va., where they remained on picket duty for the remainder of the winter of 1862-1863.¹

On March 3, 1863 the regiment took another long march back to their old campground near Hamiltons Crossing where they continued picketing along the Rappahannock keeping an eye on the Federal troops on the other side.²

Battlefield around Chancellorsville composed by Stonewall Jackson. This shows the relative position of Hamilton's Crossing, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. (See the following website for the interesting history of this map- https://npsfrsp.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/stonewall-jacksons-last-map/)

The Battle of Chancellorsville
On April 28, 1863, word came that the enemy was finally on the move. Federal troops under General Hooker were advancing up the Rappahannock to get behind the Confederate position at Fredericksburg. Across the river from their position the Federals were preparing to cross in force. Sergeant B. Y. Malone recorded the excitement in his journal:

“ The morning of the 28 befour I got up I herd a horse come threw the camp in a full lope and it was not meney minutes untell the man come back and sais Boys you had better get up we will have a fight hear to reckly and I comenced geting up and befour I got my close on they comenced beating the long roal and and it was not but a minnet or too until I herd the Adgertent hollow fall in with armes the Reg. then was formed and marched to the Battel field the Yankies comenced crossing the river befour day and by day they had right smart force over the pickets fought sum on the 29 and a good deel of canonading was don and it raind sum in the eavning” ³

The Battle of Chancellorsville had begun, but instead of moving westward with the rest of Lee's Confederates, the 6th N. C. State troops were posted at a critical junction, miles away, tasked with keeping the Federal's in check. Lee had entrusted General Early with this important task. They were not part of Stonewall's grand flank attack at Chancellorsville that swept the Yankees back across the Rappohannock, but that didn't mean they weren't engaged with the enemy. General Early's Corps, including Hoke's brigade, had their own fight, starting near the familiar battleground of Hamilton's Crossing and Deep Run.

Sgt. Bartlett Yancey Malone, 6th N. C. S. T., Co. H
source- "Whipped 'em Every Time"

On a very foggy May 1st, the regiment was sent out on picket duty early in the morning and, according to private Malone, found themselves within 500 yards of “a very strong line of Scirmishers “ when the fog lifted “we cood see a great meney Yankees on the other side of the river but we couldent tell how meney was on this side”. Two divisions, from the I and VI corps, making up the Federal left wing, had crossed the Rappahannock river to threaten the Confederate picket line. They were sent to stage a demonstration in an attempt to deceive Lee about the real location of the attack. Lee quickly rearranged his troops to counter the threats on two fronts. That evening the Sixth N. C. “could hear very hevy canonading up the river” recorded Malone “It is repoted that our men and the Yankees was a fyting at Keleys Foad” What they were hearing was what we traditionally call the battle of Chancellorsville, far from the fighting they were about to commence in their section of the long Confederate line.⁴

The Sixth North Carolina and Hoke's Brigade fell back to the safety of their breastworks the next morning May 2nd. Around 10 am two Confederate batteries opened on the Federals, drawing counter battery fire. They “ kept up about a hour but no damedge don as I have herd of”, eyewitness Malone reported. General Lee had suggested to General Early that he use his long range artillery to feel out the enemies strength. Further away, cannonading could still be heard near Kelly’s ford. Colonel R. H. Chilton of General Lee’s staff arrived with verbal orders directing General Early to Chancellorsville. Chilton had misunderstood Lee’s instructions. Lee wanted Early to come to Chancellorsville only if the Federals in his front appeared to be moving toward Chancellorsville. Chilton ordered them there immediately. Sergeant Malone describes the ensuing confusion as the Yankee’s feint continued:

“ about 5 o'clock in the eavning we could see the Yankees a marchen up on the other side of the river by regiments and most all went back from on this Side of the river and General Earley thought that they was all a going back and taken all of his men but a Louisiana Bregaid and started to reinforce General Lea And about the time we had gone 6 miles they come orders that the Yankees was atvancen again whar we had left And then we had to turn back and march all the way back about 10 o'clock in the nite. And the next morning which was the 3 day [May 3, 1863] our men comenced Buming [bombing] the Yankees and they returned the fyer and ther was right smart canonading and picketing don untell about 12 o'clock and then for sum cause we was all ordered to fall back about a half of a mile to our last breast works but as soon as dark come we marched about 2 miles up the River .”⁵

Early had ordered his division back to Fredericksburg to hold the line with two other brigades and a portion of the reserve artillery. Hoke's brigade was placed in line at Deep run on the right of Early's line, below Fredericksburg, near where the Sixth had fought the December before.

Map from "Jubal A. Early at Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church"
by Garry W. Gallagher in "Chancellorsville, The Battle and Its Aftermath.", UNC Press, 1996.

On the morning of May 3, while General Lee was engaging Hooker at Chancellorsville, General Early was informed that the Federals had crossed the river at Fredericksburg. General Sedgwick, commanding the Federal forces around Fredericksburg, advanced beyond the town, attacking and capturing Marye's Hill in a desperate fight. Since Sedgwick’s force appeared to be poised to strike the right of Lee's line near Chancellorsville Hoke’s Brigade was rushed forward to block this threat. Captain Neil W. Ray described the movement:

Captain Neil W. Ray

“Our brigade was commanded by General Hoke, and we were at once moved from our position below Deep Run, so as to attack the enemy, who was then on the hills south of the town. [Marye's heights] The conflict was sharp, but short., and the enemy was soon on the retreat. In this fight. General Hoke was wounded. By the next morning Hooker and his army were again on the north side of the Rappahannock.” ⁶

General Lee personally joined General Early near Hoke's line to discuss the impending attack. Captain York, commanding Co. I of the 6th N. C. S. T. recalled that all the marching and countermarching of the previous two days had caused the men to become demoralized and lose confidence in their officers. The appearance of Lee in their midst helped them regain confidence and commence readiness for the upcoming attack. Word went down the line that "All is right, Uncle Robert is here. We will whip them."⁷

Later that afternoon, General Early watched as Hoke's and Hay's brigades, on the Confederate right, pushed north, with vigor, across Hazel run, down into the little creek valley and up the other side to emerge on the Plank road, blocking the Federals from Fredericksburg and sweeping them back, a moment he later termed "a splendid sight".⁸

Map from "Jubal A. Early at Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church" by Garry W. Gallagher in "Chancellorsville, The Battle and Its Aftermath.", UNC Press, 1996.

Then, disaster struck as Colonel Hoke was shot from his horse when he reached the Plank road. A Minnie ball broke his shoulder bone causing him to be unseated from his horse, falling heavily to the ground.⁹

General Robert F. Hoke

Colonel Isaac Erwin Avery

Colonel Isaac E. Avery, as the senior commander, ascended to command of the brigade. Hoke had been instructed to wheel his brigade to the left, when he reached the Plank road, to straighten his line and maintain contact with Hays on his right. Avery, not having been informed, led his eager troops forward, entering a patch of woods and collided into Hays' troops pouring forward, entangling the two brigades. As the confused mass pushed ahead they were counter attacked by a concealed 6th Vermont, who was lying in wait beyond the crest of a hill and rose to fire a well timed volley into the surprised Confederates. As darkness fell, the Federal troops withdrew toward the river to regroup, eventually being ordered back across, frustrating Early's hope of dispatching the enemy with their back to the river.¹⁰

Aftermath
The price was extremely high. Casualties for the 6th North Carolina State Troops were 29; eight killed and twenty-one wounded¹¹including:

- Cornelius Mebane, the regimental adjutant.
- Captain Guess of Company C
- Captain Vincent of Company K
- Lieutenant John S. Lockhart of Company B was badly wounded in the foot.

(for complete casualty list see https://6ncst.blogspot.com/2013/05/remembering-battle-of-chancellorsville.html)

Private John Henry Marcom of Company C (listed as Markham in the roster), was honored by a sad epitaph in the June 10th, 1863 Hillsborough Recorder:

"The deceased was not only endeared to his company, but also to the entire Regiment. He was a faithful soldier, and although he has been numbered with the gallant dead of the noted 6th, his comrades will ever remember him.”

Hillsboro Recorder, Hillsboro N. C., June 10, 1863

“The brigade lost a total of 35 killed and 195 wounded for a grand total of 230. Early's division suffered a total of 136 killed, 838 wounded, and 500 missing; the total loss was 1,474 men who could not easily be replaced because most of them were veteran soldiers.”¹²

Sergeant B. Y. Malone described his own injuries as well as that of some of his comrades:

“I was slitley wounded above the eye with a peas of a Bumb non was kild in our company. Lieutenant Walker was slitley wounded in the side. I. R. Allred was wounded in the arm hat to have it cut off. I. E. Calmond was slitley wounded in the arm. I. L. Evins had his finger shot off”.¹³

North Carolina Surgeon General Edward Warren wrote:

“ A great number of our soldiers have been killed and wounded; for, as usual, North Carolina bore the brunt of the fight. You may rest assured that every attention shall be given them--that each one shall be visited and cared for to the extent of his necessities. I am resolved that they shall all feel that their state has a personal interest in them. I find it unnecessary to visit the army as all the wounded are being forwarded to this city.”

This was followed by a more solemn note:

"Dr. Grissom returned to day in charge of six hundred wounded men."

The most serious loss to the Sixth North Carolina and Hoke's brigade was General Hoke himself who was shot from his horse while leading a charge. A minie ball shattered his shoulder bone near the shoulder joint. Surgeons wanted to amputate but Hoke adamantly refused. His recuperation would take most of the summer.¹⁴

A far more devastating blow to the Confederate cause occurred by the accidental shooting of Stonewall Jackson. As the Confederates were sweeping the surprised Federals from the field in Chancellorsville, Jackson was cut down by his own troops in the shadowy darkness of the scrub forest between the two armies. Lee sadly wrote to Jackson, when hearing of this tragedy armies. Lee sadly wrote to Jackson, when hearing of this tragedy

“Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead”

Following the defeat of the Federals at Chancellorsville and Salem Church, the Army of Northern Virginia returned to the Fredericksburg line. After Jackson’s death, Lee reorganized his army into three corps. Hoke's brigade, Now commanded by Colonel Avery remained in Early's division, which was assigned to Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell's corps.

Major Robert F. Webb

Colonel Avery, being senior colonel of the brigade, was automatically placed in the position of brigade commander, but without the corresponding rank of Brigadier General. Lt. Colonel Robert Webb, recently recovered from his Sharpsburg wound was given command of the Sixth. He was later promoted to full colonel on July 2, 1863.

Foot Notes:

The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (70 vols. in 128; Washington, 1880–1901), Ser. I, Vol. XXII, XXXIII Conf. Corr., etc, #4, Special Order No. 19, Jan 19, 1863.
Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of North Carolina, record group 109, NARA 270, Roll 0158, Record of Events, Company I, 6th North Carolina State Troops, March 1 to May 11, 1863
Malone, Bartlett Yancey. Whipt ‘em Everytime. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1991.
ibid
ibid
Clark, Walter. Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War 1861-’65. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1991; "Sixth Regiment" by Neill W. Ray.
Gallagher, Garry.Chancellorsville,The Battle and its Aftermath. Chapel Hill, N. C., UNC Press, 1996, 51-52
ibid
ibid
Sears, Stephen W. Chancellorsville. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1999, 415.
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (70 vols. in 128; Washington, 1880–1901), Ser. I, Vol. XXV, pg 808.
Iobst, Robert W. The Bloody Sixth.Gaithersburg, Md: Olde Soldier Books (reprint), 1965, pg 120; Other Casualty records compiled from various sources including the O. R.'s, Iobst, N. C. Troops and various newspaper listings.
ibid
ibid

General Sources:

1. Clark, Walter. Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War 1861-’65. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1991.
2. Iobst, Robert W. The Bloody Sixth.Gaithersburg, Md: Olde Soldier Books (reprint), 1965.
3. Jordon, Weymouth t. (Editor). North Carolina Troops, 1861-65, Raleigh, NC: NC Department of Archives and History, 1981.
4. Malone, Bartlett Yancey. Whipt ‘em Everytime. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1991.
5. Stackpole, Edward J. Chancellorsville, Lee’s Greatest Battle.Harrisburg, Pa: Stackpole Books,1988.

Brief History Of the 6th North Carolina State Troops

1861

First Manassas (Colonel Fisher is Killed)

1862

Peninsula Campaign
- Yorktown
- Eltham's Landing
- Barhamsville
- Seven Pines
- Fair Oaks
- Gaines Mill
- Savage Station
- White Oak Swamp
- Malvern Hill
- Harrisons Landing
- Warrenton Springs

Thoughfare Gap
Second Manassas
Ox Hill
Boonesboro
SharpsburgFredericksburg

1863

Fredericksburg/Chancellorsville
Winchester
Gettysburg (Colonel Avery is killed)
Hagerstown

Bristoe Station
Mine Run
Rappahannock Station (Colonel Webb is Captured)

1864

Bachelder's Creek/New Bern, NC
Martinsburg
Monocacy
Plymouth, NC
Petersburg, Va.
Hanover Junction
Totapotami Creek

Cold Harbor
Lynchburg
Washington
Winchester
Fisher's Hill
Cedar Creek

1865

Hatcher's Run
Fort Stedman
Sayler's Creek
Appomattox

Walking in their Footsteps: Hoke's Brigade Attack on East Cemetery Hill - Gettysburg (Part 2)

continued from previous blog...

In "Walking in their Footsteps: Hoke's Brigade Attack on East Cemetery Hill (Part 1)" I started my Photo journey at the head of East Confederate Avenue, visited the ravine where Hoke's brigade sheltered, paused to read the memorial tablet and concluded at the southern branch of the Winebrenner/Culp run.

Now let's complete the journey...

Stop 3-Crossing Culp's Meadow

Photo 8 is the vicinity where Hoke's NC Brigade would have begun it's right wheel , which would face it toward the Federal battle line entrenched on East Cemetery Hill. Canons on the hillside above them, safely tucked behind earthen lunettes waited for the Confederates to come into range. The 6th North Carolina State troops, on the right of the brigade, would have been near or to the right of East Confederate Avenue, depicted as a fence line on period maps.

At this point, East Cemetery Hill is hidden by trees that would not have been there in 1863. Artillery on both Steven's knoll and East Cemetery Hill would have had a clear view of their wheeling enemy, subjecting them to a punishing cannon fire. Lieutenant Whittier, with Steven's Maine battery, watched, from his position on Culps hill as Hoke's North Carolinians began their wheel, admiring their skill and recalling later that it was

"a movement which none but the steadiest veterans could execute under such circumstances" [1]

a high compliment indeed.

Photo 8- View from “low bottom” around southern branch of Winebrenner/Culp run looking south. Culp’s Hill is to front and ECH is to the right beyond tree line. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

Colonel Archibald Campbell Godwin, commanding the 57th NCT on the left, and later becoming the brigade commander wrote:

"We continued to advance, however, under a terrific fire, climbed a rail fence, and still farther beyond descended into a low bottom, and dislodged a heavy line of infantry from a stone wall running parallel with our front." [2]

Colonel Archibald Campbell Godwin commanding the 57th NCT

This description corresponds to map 23.2 in Bradley M. Gottfried's highly acclaimed book "The Maps of Gettysburg". I have drawn in the red arrows to illustrate this better. The fence line where the 41st NY and 33rd Mass. are shown is approximately where East Confederate Avenue is today. Having previously given several tours for my friends and fellow reenactors in the 6th North Carolina State Troops, we share the satisfaction of knowing we have been walking where the 6th NCST walked in 1863 when we traversed this road.

Map 23.1 from Bradley M. Gottfried's "The Maps of Gettysburg".
Used with permission from publisher, click title above for more info.

While I am certainly in a "low bottom" standing just above the creek, it is probably not the place that Colonel A. Godwin described in the O.R.'s, since at this point he would have been leading the 57th NCT at the far left of the line. Author John Archer depicts this "low bottom" on a map in his book "The Hour was one of Horror" (page 79) as being in the adjoining field to my left, near where it says Menchley's Springs on Gottfried's map 23.1.

Consider the overall length of Hoke's brigade's wheeling line. Three regiments. One thousand soldiers. The 6th NCST, at the pivot, has a much shorter distance to travel than the 57th NCT at the left end. They have to make a wide arc to swing around and face the entrenched Federals behind the stone wall at the base of East Cemetery Hill. The temptation to take cover behind the stone walls they had to cross, or the hollows in the field must have been great, yet they moved on, as veteran soldiers facing unchecked rifle and cannon fire.

Still on the road, I climbed a slight incline rising from the Winebrenner/Culp Run. When I had reached the summit just beyond the tree (picture 8) I found that some of the rails had been removed from the fence, making my entrance into the meadow at this point an easy decision. Keep in mind what Godwin wrote..."we...climbed a rail fence." These are sturdy farm fences meant to keep livestock out of the crops. The top rail was almost shoulder height. Having climbed similar fences during reenactments, I can tell you that it wasn't easy getting my wool covered butt, up and over. The heavy leathers, canteen and haversack hang off your neck like an anchor, your loaded weapon is cumbersome and hazardous and your smooth bottomed, leather brogans are slippery and non flexible, a poor combination for fence climbing. Any reenactor reading this will be smiling and shaking their head in agreement. Been there...done that!

Photo 9- View from place I entered the field looking north toward Winebrenner Run along the tree-line.
(C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

It was now a little after 6 pm, but overcast and gray. Though the temperature was only in the mid 70's, it was warm, still, and muggy. Even wearing light cotton pants and a short sleeve shirt, I was quite sweaty and hot. As a reenactor, I could easily imagine, from personal experience, the sweat drenched layers of cotton and wool worn by the soldiers in 1863.

Thanks to a 19th century, local Gettysburg man, Rev. Dr. Michael Jacobs, who taught at Pennsylvania (now Gettysburg) College as a Professor of Mathematics and Science, we have a record of the weather in 1863. Jacobs took weather observations three times a day, even as the fighting raged on around him. On July 2nd, 1863, he recorded cumulo-stratus clouds covering 70% of the sky, a light southern breeze and temperatures in the mid to high 70's peaking about 81 degrees about 2 p.m. This was similar to the weather I was experiencing. Perhaps slightly warmer then, but with almost total cloud coverage and no breeze during my tour, it was quite warm and muggy.

Photo 10- View from field near East Confederate Ave looking south west toward Baltimore Road.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

I entered a Culp's Meadow, a large field, knee high is grass. Walking through the tall grass took some effort to keep from tripping. Deer trails criss-crossed the field and several flattened areas suggested that they had served as isolated and hidden sleeping areas for them. I didn't see any deer, or any wildlife for that matter, although I was using my folded tripod to clear my path and make enough noise to warn s-n-a-k-e-s of my approach. I didn't see any, and didn't want too! My bigger worry was deer ticks, but I am happy to report that I didn't notice any on me after my adventure.

I paused to take a picture of the meadow (photo 10). Directly in front of me, hidden by the tree-line, is East Cemetery Hill. The trees would not have been there in 1863. My path (red arrows) followed some deer trails, or another intrepid adventurer before me, around the trees. This part of the meadow was fairly flat. Looking at contour maps after the fact, I may have inadvertently been following a slight ridge that crosses the field. In fact, it's visible in photo 10 if you look carefully. To my right the ground fell ever so slightly away toward the boggy edges of the Winebrenner Run. To my left the ground also falls slightly before rising again toward Culp's hill and Steven's Knoll.

Photo 11- View from about 1/3 of the way across the field looking South west
toward Stevens Knoll and Baltimore Pike.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

Picking my way across the meadow, I stopped again to record what I was seeing. Directly behind me in Photo 11 is Stevens Knoll on a saddle between Culp's Hill to the left and East Cemetery Hill, still hidden from my view by the trees in the direction I am pointing. I am holding a copy of Licensed Battlefield Guide, John Archer's book, "The Hour was one of Horror, [A tour guide to] East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg". I found the maps and descriptions very helpful in planning my walk. It was also small and light enough for my haversack, and easy to refer to making sure I stayed on the approximate path of the 6th North Carolina. In the distance you can see the trees lining the Baltimore pike, on the horizon, which passes at the top of East Cemetery Hill and the iconic Cemetery Gatehouse which will be visible when I pass the next group of trees.

Photo 12- View from about 1/3 of the way across the field looking back from starting point, north east, toward Culp House and East Confederate Avenue. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

I also took a moment to look behind me (Photo 12) toward the rail fence lining East Confederate Avenue and my path though the tall grass. Just out of site, on the right horizon, would be Benner's Knoll, where General Early's Confederate artillery was deployed. Unfortunately their position was inferior to the Federal's ahead of me on East Cemetery hill. Hoke's Brigade started their march in the ravine to the left, just below the crest of the hill beyond the rail fence and behind the tress which generally follow the line of the stream.

Photo 13- View from about 1/2 of the way across the field looking South west toward Stevens Knoll
and Baltimore Pike. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

I advanced the rest of the way across the field to the tree line (absent in 1863). My route was funneled by the modern wire fence line to this open gap, close to the trees. I noticed the ground was a little boggy and chopped up. The James McKnight house, present during the battle, may be seen In the distance. It is located on Slocum Ave which connects Wainwright Avenue to The Baltimore Pike. The large tree to the right of the house is probably near Menchey’s Spring along Brickyard lane/ Wainwright avenue. This is where the 41st NY and 33rd Mass took their place on the far right of the Federal line as seen on Map 23.3. This would be the objective of the left of Colonel Avery's line.

Map 23.3 from Bradley M. Gottfried's "The Maps of Gettysburg".
Used with permission from publisher, click title above for more info.

Coming through the gate and moving back toward my original track, I stopped ( Photo 14) to finally observe my objective, unhidden by trees. Photo 14 is labeled with several things I observed. First of all, this is not a flat field, As I advanced over it, I found myself walking along a slope, quite high in some spots (photo 16). At the top of the hill directly in front of me lies the iconic Cemetery Gate. In front of that, across the Baltimore turnpike and on the crest of East Cemetery Hill are the guns of Rickett's Battery, well protected by earthwork lunettes.

Photo 14- View from about 2/3 of the way across the field looking South west toward Stevens Knoll
and Baltimore Pike. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

The large tree and the stone wall vertically rising up the hill behind it are depicted on the map near the center of the 153rd PA. I set this as my destination and, as you can see, had an uphill climb. It was nearly 6:30. I was glad I brought a canteen. Even after a large gulp of water, sweat dripped down my brow and my damp clothes were sticking in all the wrong places. My eyeglasses were either sweaty or foggy or both. I'm not complaining, just getting annoyed by the terrible light (a photographers worst enemy) and my reduced ability to see my camera focus with my foggy glasses. I could see the end in sight and started to think cold shower and cold beer, but I had to resist the temptation to rush through the last and most important part of the attack. At least I wasn't fumbling forward in the darkening twilight with cannons roaring and minnies zipping past my head!

Turning around once again I looked back. (Photo 15) It had taken me nearly half an hour to come this far across the field (including camera time). If you enlarge the photo, you should be able to see a blue water tower just above the 3rd arrowhead from the left. This, I have been told, is a good visual reference for the Confederate Artillery at Benner's Knoll.

The slope of the hill is not as obvious in Photo 14, but as I continued forward, the ground rose on my left, at one point, enough to block my view of Steven's knoll, and thankfully, if I was attacking with the 6th North Carolina, the artillery's view of me! Although I didn't make the climb up and over this rise, it descends to the "low bottom", mentioned by Godwin. The treetops peeking above the ridge would be where the field rises up out of the bottom toward Culp's Hill and Steven's Knoll.

Photo 16- View from about 3/4 of the way across the field looking South west toward Stevens Knoll
and Baltimore Pike. Notice the rising ground hides Stevens Knoll from our view and vice-versa.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photograph

Photo 16B, (taken by me in June 2014) is a Panoramic view from Steven's Knoll of the other side of the rise shown in Photo 16. It gives you a perspective of the undulating ground that had to traversed by the 21st NC and the 57th NC on the left of the line. (Click to enlarge the Panorama and scroll back and forth.)

Photo 16b- Panoramic view, composed from 2 pictures, from Stevens Knoll looking North. Notice the undulating ground over Which Hoke's Brigade charged. Copyright (C) 2014 Frederick Walton Photograph. Click to enlarge.

Photo 16C is a familiar period drawing, preserved on a plaque at the top of East Cemetery hill, from a similar vantage point of the Panorama in 16B. Notice the fields are bare of trees at the time of the battle because this was actively being farmed.

Photo 16c- Sign on top of Cemetery Hill near Rickett's Battery.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photograph

Stop 4- The Stone Wall at Brick Yard Lane

I veered toward the tree shading the marker for the 153rd Pennsylvania. Briars and other prickly weeds in this section of the field made walking a bit hazardous. I was still walking uphill, and frankly, getting tired! Wainwright Avenue towers several feet above the edge of the field, raised by an old retaining wall and separated by a very overgrown and tumbling down stone wall topped by a haphazard snake rail fence.

This is where the first contact with the enemy was made.

"The enemies batteries kept up a terrific fire, but most of the shells and grape passed over our heads,"

wrote 28 year old Pvt. Thomas Causby of the 6th North Carolina, Company D.

"Our brigade charged in good order it until we were within a short distance of the stone fence, which did not extend all the way across the face of the hill. Here the brigade spread out across the face of the hill, part of the men making for the end of the fence, as I recollect. About 75 of our brigade, led by Col. Tate and Capt. Neill Ray, charged directly on the Stone fence, which we crossed and then bayoneted Yankee gunners and drove them back after a hard fight." [3]

Photo 17- View across Brickyard road at the base of East Cemetery Hill and final charge to
Rickett's battery on top of the hill. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

I selected a fairly stable looking place to cross over and found myself on a quiet, deserted, paved Wainwright Avenue. Oddly quiet, considering this was the anniversary day of this battle. In 1863 Federal troops would have made crossing this stone wall very difficult!

"In the evening we charged some batteries on the side of a mountain. Our brigade [Hoke's] and the Louisiana brigade we move[d] steadily on them under the most terrific fire I ever saw. We came in contact with a line of infantry behind a stone fence. They stood their ground until our men got to the fence and actually [had to] club them over their heads with the butts of their guns yet we moved on to the heights, But they were so strongly supported, we were repulsed. In all the battles I have ever been in that was the hardest. The batteries were placed one above another on the hill so as to shoot over one another and every one a line of infantry all around the mountain. It was impossible to drive them off. " [4]

"As we approached the hill the guns on Battery Hill [Stevens Knoll] , over towards Culp's Hill, had an enfilading fire on us. Still our men rushed forward, crawled over the stone wall near the base of the hill, drove from behind it a strong line of infantry, and went still forward to the top of the hill, and silenced the numerous pieces of artillery that had been so advantageously post
ed. We had full possession of East Cemetery Hill, the key to General Meade's position, and we held it for several minutes." [5]

Part of the mural at the Lincoln Library in SpringField, Illinois.
The fight for East Cemetery Hill. Copyright (C) 2015 Bruce Zigler

"We turned some of the guns on the enemy and tried to fire them, but most of them had been spiked by the Yankees. By this time it was getting dark, and the enemy we had driven back had been heavily re-enforced, and after remaining beyond the fence some fifteen or twenty minutes we withdrew and rejoined our brigade." [6]

Photo 19. View from Rickett's Battery on top of East Cemetery Hill. 153rd Pa. Marker near tree on right.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography

Almost in front of the place I crossed the stone wall, was a marker for the 11th Corp, 1st Div., First Brigade of Colonel Leopold Von Gilsa who where assigned to defend this sector. The weary Yankee's, who had taken a beating from Hokes Brigade the previous day, now desperately tried to prevent the Confederates from overrunning their position.

Photo 20- XI Corp Marker on Brickyard road at the base of East Cemetery Hill near where the
6th North Carolina State Troops over ran the defenders. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

"The Confederates... charged from the darkness with a yell and with bayonets fixed. The attack on the two weak New York regiments in the center of the line was of great violence. The New Yorkers had been struck at Chancellorsville and again the day before at Gettysburg and were probably shaky- if so with good reason.The Tarheels shot and killed Sgt Heinrich Michel, color bearer of the 54th [NY], almost immediately and wounded his two successors severely. Soon the surviving members of the 68th [NY] and the 54th [NY] regiments retreated up the hill, probably the first troops on von Gilsa's line to go." [7]

These troops, posted to the left of the 153rd Pennsylvania opened a gap which Major Samuel McDowell Tate, leading members of the 6th North Carolina and Louisianna Tigers to his right, would exploit to climb the hill and attack Rickett's Battery.

Just as I had set my sights on their marker, so did members of the 6th NCST who hit the 153rd Pennsylvania head-on. Lieutenant Miller of the 153rd Pa. recalled:

"The fight was on in all its fierceness, muskets being handled as clubs; rocks torn from the wall in front and thrown, fist and bayonets used, so close was the fighting" [8]

Photo 21- 153rd PA. Marker on Brickyard road at the base of East Cemetery Hill near where the 6th North Carolina State Troops over ran the defenders. Note Cemetery Gatehouse peaking over crest of hill above. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

Harry W. Pfanz in "Gettysburg, Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill" recounts the story of the Confederate flag.

"A rebel color bearer, rifle in one hand and flag in the other, jumped on the wall and shouted, "Surrender you Yankees", and in an instant a Pennsylvanian jammed him with his bayonet and fired his rifle into him at the same time. Lieut. Miller remembered long after how the ball tore shreds from the back of the color-bearers blouse. The man fell backward, holding both of his rifle and the colors. The flagstaff rested briefly across the wall. A Union soldier grabbed for it, and a Confederate grasped its other end. There was a tug-of- war, and the Confederate won."

Could this have been either the battle flag of the 6th NCST, now hanging in the Gettysburg Museum or the Blue Regimental "Fisher flag", reportedly carried at Gettysburg, and now displayed in the Museum of History in Raleigh?

Author with Battle flag of the 6th North Carolina at Gettysburg museum.
Copyright (C) 2014 Frederick Walton Photography

Reenactors from the 6th North Carolina State Troops holding the reproduction blue regimental "Fisher" Flag
Copyright (C) 2014 Frederick Walton Photography

Photo 22- 41st NY Marker on Brickyard road at the base of East Cemetery Hill near where the 6th North Carolina State Troops over ran the defenders. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

Next in line, The 41st New York had fallen back with the 33rd Massachusetts from skirmish duty in Culp's meadow. The 33rd anchored the far right of the Federal line. The right wing of the 41st NY held firm with the 33rd Massachusetts against the 57th NCT, but the left, unable to withstand the onslaught of Tar heels, was swept away, New Yorkers fleeing up the dark hill behind them.

"The hour was one of horror. Amid the incessant roar of the canon, the roar of musketry, and the glare of bursting shells making the darkness intermittent-adding awfulness to the scene- the hoarse shouts of the friend and foe, piteous cries of the wounded and dying, one could well imagine...that "war is hell". [9]

Photo 23- The 33rd Massachusetts Infantry monument
source: http://historicaldigression.com/2013/05/11/33rd-massachusetts-infantry-at-gettysburg/

Too tired to walk all the way down to this monument, I found this great photo on the web. The 33rd Massachusetts Infantry monument is located at the intersection of Slocum and Wainwright Avenues near Steven’s Knoll. It was placed in 1885.The 33rd Mass refused their line to meet the attacking Confederates.

"The enemy came on gallantly, unchecked by our artillery fire, and my regiment opened a severe musketry fire on them, which caused gaps in the line and made it stagger back a little, It soon rallied and bravely came within a few feet of our wall, though my men clung unflinchingly to it and steadily poured in their fire. I ordered them to fix Bayonets to be ready for the enemy, but at this time Stevens [Maine] Battery, then under command of Lieutenant Whittier, to my right, opened on them at point blank range, and this fire and the continued fire of my regiment the enemy's line, said to be Hoke's Brigade of North Carolinians [more specifically, the 57th NCT in this sector] which was almost on to us, their colors nearly within reach, was broken and finally driven back, leaving great heaps of dead and wounded just in front of us." [10]

Photo 24- Rickett's battery position from base of East Cemetery Hill. Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography. This is the stone wall Major Tate ordered the North Carolinians to take cover behind.

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McDowell Tate next described the action from the confederate side in a report to North Carolina Governor Vance. Tate was advanced to lieutenant colonel on 2 July 1863 at Gettysburg where he assumed command of the Sixth North Carolina Regiment after the death of Colonel Isaac E. Avery. He led his troops up East Cemetery Hill and continued to command the Sixth regiment until the close of the war.

"75 North Carolinians of the Sixth Regiment and 12 Louisianians of Hay's brigade scaled the walls, and planted the colors of the Sixth North Carolina and Ninth Louisiana on the guns.
It was now fully dark. The enemy stood with a tenacity never before displayed by them, but with bayonet, clubbed musket, sword, and pistol, and rocks from the wall, we cleared the heights and silenced the guns.

Samuel McDowell Tate describing the fight at Ricketts Battery

In vain did I send to the rear for support. It was manifest that I could not hold the place without aid, for the enemy was massed in all the ravines and adjoining heights, and we were then fully a half mile from our lines.

Finding the enemy were moving up a line, I ordered the small band of heroes to fall back down the crest to a stone wall on the side of the hill [photo 24], where we awaited their coming. Soon they came over the hill in pursuit, when we again opened fire on them, and cleared the hill a second time.
Very soon I found they were very numerous in the flats in my rear, and now became the question of surrender or an effort to retreat. There was a calm and determined resolve never to surrender (one of our North Carolina regiments had done so the day before) and, under cover of the darkness, I ordered the men to break and to risk the fire. We did so, and lost not a man in getting out." [11]

Photo 25- Col. Samuel McDowell Tate Visiting Rickett's Battery in 1894

Other members of the 6th North Carolina who fought there told the same story in their own words:

"We charged the Yankees where they were on a hill & in their breastworks[.] we took them but we couldn't hold them and was compelled to fall back [.] I thought I had been where grape and canister and minnies flew, but I never was in a place like this[.] our loss was heavier and it ever was[.]" [12]

and repeated by another, Captain Neill W Ray:

Captain Neill W Ray describes the action on East Cemetery Hill

"It was then after daylight had gone down, the smoke was very dense, and, although the moon was rising, we could not see what the enemy was doing, but we could hear him attempting to rally his men, and more than once he rallied close up to us. But our men had formed behind a rock wall [Photo 24], and as he approached we fired a volley into him, which drove him back. This occurred at least twice. No one who has never been in a similar position can understand how anxiously we looked for re-inforcements. None came, however, and before long orders came for us to fall back to our original position." [13]

Photo 26. View of Rickett's Battery on top of East Cemetery Hill on July 3, 2015.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography

Above and behind him shots coming into his rear caused Col. Underwood of the 33rd Mass to send his adjutant to see what was going on:

"He soon reported that the enemy was there, having captured some of our artillery. One part of the line seem to be in a precarious position, But not long after it was ascertained that the enemy were driven out." [14]

This was confirmed by the oft quoted diarist from the Old North State, Barlett Yancy Malone , 6th North Carolina, Co. H., who recorded:

Bartlett Yancey Malone, 6th North Carolina State Troops

"We charged and succeeded in driving the infantry from behind two stone fences and got part of the batteries but it was soon so dark and so much smoke that we couldn't see what we was a doing. The enemy got together again and we had no reinforcement and had to fall back to our old position." [15]

How bittersweet their victory. It was a place of strategic importance to the Federal line, and yet it couldn't be held. When placing his battery, Captain Rickett's was informed by his superiors:

"Captain, This is the key to our position on Cemetery Hill, and must be held...[at all hazards]" [16]

Photo 27- Rickett's battery position from base of East Cemetery Hill in the setting sun.
Copyright (C) 2015 Frederick Walton Photography.

Captain Neill W. Ray, an officer of the 6th NCST recalled this bitterly when writing the history of the 6th NCST many years later.

" By not supporting Hoke's Brigade of North Carolina and Hays' Brigade of Louisiana in the storming and capturing of Cemetery Hill the battle of Gettysburg was lost. I do not know whose fault it was, but I feel assured in saying that it was not the fault of the storming column. It did its whole duty and fell back only when orders came for it to do so.
Much has been written about the battle of Gettysburg, and what was accomplished by the different commands and the troops from the different States. But, at the risk of being charged with immodesty, I venture to claim that the storming and capturing of Cemetery Hill on the evening of the second day was not surpassed by anything that was done during the three days' fight. The facts on which the claim is based will appear to any one who will go to the spot. He will there see the positions of the contending armies and the strength of the hill. The breastworks and embankments protecting the enemy's guns are still plainly visible. Its defenses and the lines of the positions of its defenders are all marked by durable monuments. And on the topmost summit he will find a cluster of monuments, the inscriptions on which recite the desperate assault made by Hoke's and Hays' Brigades on the 2d of July, 1863, and especially mention the hand-to-hand conflict, after the last round of ammunition had been fired and the capture and spiking of the enemy's guns by the Confederates." [17]

As I stood on Wainwright avenue, in the gathering dusk, having completed my tour and taken my last photo, I was hot, tired and thirsty, It occurred to me that it was only 7 pm now, still two hours until the Confederate's would have begun their charge in 1863. What spirits might I have encountered if I had waited?

This, then is my salute to the brave young men, of both armies, that fought on these slopes. But especially to the men of the 6th North Carolina State troops who I have come to respect and honor after studying their deeds for the last two decades.

Too hot and tired to walk up the slope to "re-capture" Rickett's battery, I headed down the level, paved avenue in front of me, back toward the Winebrenner house. Back to my B&B. Back to a nice cool shower... and a nice cold beer.

Footnotes:

1) Pfanz, Harry, "Gettysburg, Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill", Chapel Hill, UNC Press, 1993, Pg 255

2) The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 27 (Part II);No. 473.; Report of Col. Archibald C. Godwin, Fifty-seventh North Carolina Infantry, commanding Hokes brigade.

3) Causby, "Storming the Stone fence at Gettysburg." from the Charlotte Observer, March 11, 1901.Republished in Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 29.

4) Carrington, Sim, "I heard the Yankee drums beating, PP 186-189

5) Ray, Neill W., "The Sixth Regiment"in "Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865", edited by Walter Clark and published by the state of N. C. in 1901.

6) Causby, "Storming the Stone fence at Gettysburg. from the Charlotte Observer, March 11, 1901.

7) Pfanz, Harry, "Gettysburg, Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill", Pg 261

8) Gottfried, Bradley M., "The Maps of Gettysburg", El Dorado Hills, Ca., Savas Beatie, 2007, pg 220

9) Archer, John, "The Hour was one of Horror" , Gettysburg, pa,, Thomas, 1997, P. 64

10) Report of Col. A.B. Underwood, 33rd Mass., 12/9/1881, in Authors collection from GNMP files.

11) Report of Samuel McDowell Tate to Governor Vance, N. C. Archives

12) J. J. English, Co. E, July 9, 1863 Letter to his Aunt and Uncle, courtesy of Ernie Dollar.

13) Ray, Neill W., "The Sixth Regiment" in "Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865", edited by Walter Clark and published by the state of N. C. in 1901.

14) Report of Col. A.B. Underwood, 33rd Mass., 12/9/1881, in Authors collection from GNMP files.

15) Malone, B. Y., " Whipt 'em Every time"

16) Pfanz, Harry, "Gettysburg, Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill", Pg 253

17) Ray, Neill W., "The Sixth Regiment" in "Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-1865", edited by Walter Clark and published by the state of N. C. in 1901.