See You In The Field

Blueberry Muffins

Yesterday morning my friend, Woody Ragan, and I were at the The City of Raleigh Museum, in our Federal uniforms, where we had been invited to present a program for children who had just read "Emma and the Civil Warrior". In attendance were about half a dozen enthusiastic children and their supportive parents.

Our role was to try to give them a little background on the causes of the Civil War, perform a "show and tell" of our uniforms, weapons and equipment and then take a walk down the street to the North Carolina State Capitol, where we both volunteer as docents, and point out some of the places mentioned in the story.

Why did we have a Civil War? I have been studying this period of history for over a quarter of a century and have only concluded that there is NO simple answer. Having experience leading tours and speaking in public on this topic, I am well aware of the "simple" answer that comes to most peoples minds...Slavery. I do not deny that this was a factor but it is not THE sole cause any more than hamburgers are THE cause of America's burgeoning crisis with obesity.

I struggled to find a simple analogy that I could relate to school children that would help them understand that the American Civil War, like all wars, sprung forth from a complex mix of many issues, many of them, ultimately, with economic roots. I did not want to get into the complicated and emotional issue of slavery, but I also did not want to leave the impression that I was trying to avoid the issue. I am happy to delve into an intellectual discussion on this topic, but it does not really fit into a 10 minute overview of the Civil War for 8 and 10 years olds on a sunny Saturday morning.

I finally hammered out an analogy in my head that I thought would be simple to understand and get my point across. Let's say we all chipped in a dollar and we used that money to buy a couple of pizzas and everyone got an equal share. Would that be a fair way to split up our pooled resources? I pictured youngsters shaking their heads in agreement while imagining a steaming slice of pizza. Now...I would continue, lets say we gave the money to one of the group to go buy the pizza and he decided to buy his favorite...Pizza with anchovies, which no one else really likes...would that be fair? I imagined the look of disgust coming across the young faces as they heard mention of anchovies, hoping they knew what anchovies were! No! they would say, we don't like anchovies!

I would continue by proposing we used our pooled resources to buy... Here I struggled not to be sexist, but when I was a kid I could have said something like baseball gloves for the boys and dolls for the girls. To continue the analogy I would suggest that if everyone got their fair share they would be satisfied, but what if we pooled our money and one group got more than the other, to illustrate in simple terms how unfair it is to one side if they contribute to the pool of money, but don't get an equal share of what it is spent on. Anyway, I knew it wasn't perfect but I thought it might be workable and I trusted to luck that I would make sense of it during my presentation.

On Saturday morning we were introduced by the City of Raleigh Museum's Assistant Director Kimberly Puryear. I launched into a discussion of the Civil War as it related to the book they were reading, events that occurred right here in Raleigh and North Carolina, and then began my discussion of Civil War 101.

"What do you think were some of the major causes of the Civil War?" I quizzed my alert students.

Hands shot up and I called on a young lady.

"Slavery" she predictably said, to which the other heads, including the proud parents nodded in unison.

I smiled knowingly and said "well...not exactly..." and made the point that there were many factors including economics, states rights, and the election of Lincoln.

"How would you feel if you voted for the next president, and the man that won, was not even on the ballot in your state?" Because that is what North Carolinians faced after the 1860 election.

I launched into my brilliantly thought out analogy of the Pizza. "Let's say we all chipped in a dollar and we used that money to buy a couple of pizzas and everyone got an equal share. Would that be a fair way to split up our pooled resources?"

Some of the childrens shook their heads in agreement, but my young antagonist folded her arms firmly across her chest and politely said, "NO! I can't eat Pizza."

I glance over to Woody who smiled as my analogy fell apart. "well, forget Pizza" he exclaimed "make it Ice cream cones".

Big smiles appeared on the other children's faces as heads rapidly shook in agreement.

"I don't eat Ice cream." declared the young lady. The adults in the back smiled in amusement. This was not exactly what I had in mind.

"What DO you like then?" I blurted out.

"Muffins!"

"OK, Let's say we all chipped in a dollar and we used that money to buy MUFFINS and everyone got an equal share. Would that be a fair way to split up our pooled resources?"

"Sure" they all agreed

"Now, lets say we gave the money to one of the group to go buy the muffins and they decided to buy their favorite...blueberry muffins, which no one else really likes..."

"But I like Blueberry" exclaimed my young friend " they're my favorite"

"OK, so then it was YOU that we sent to get the muffins" I wearily exclaimed, "and YOU bought YOUR favorite but what about everyone else?"

The parents chuckled as I struggled to regain control and get my point across.

In the end we discussed many themes including economics. I tried to weave some of these themes into the book's story line. We agreed that Emma was a Confederate, but I asked them to consider why? Did they think Emma understood all the issues that led to the Civil War (N0) or was she influenced by her father being a Confederate soldier and her friends and neighbors?

In the story Emma smuggles medicine in her doll for the wounded soldiers. Is smuggling good or bad, I asked? Bad they agreed. But in this case wasn't it really good? I could see the wheels tuning in their young minds.

I asked them to think about reading an account of a battle or an article about President Lincoln in a Raleigh newspaper. Would the story would be the same or different if we read it New York newspaper? I could see the spark of recognition ignite on their attentive faces. They understood that newspapers may have a slant, both in 1861 and still today.

I explained as historians, we need to look at the issues from all sides to understand what really happened and not be misled by only one point of view.

Lt. George C. Round at the North Carolina State Capitol

The kids where great listeners and eager to learn. We concluded by walking a couple of blocks down to the capitol. We stopped across the street and I pointed to the green metal dome describing how signal officer Lt. George C. Round climbed to the top. I had them look up and down Fayetteville Street, the very street where thousands of Yankee soldiers entered Raleigh 148 years ago. We walked through the Capitol grounds and looked at Christ church, Where Emma's mother worked as a nurse in the Confederate hospital there. Across the street, where the North Carolina Museum of History now stands, was once the residential neighborhood where Emma's fictional house once stood. They could see how close it was to the Capitol and how natural it would have been for her to use it as her playground.

We returned to the museum to conclude the program with a talk by the book's author, Candy Dahl. She talked a little bit more about her fictional characters, and Lt. Round, whose impressive actions inspired her to write the book.

Walking back to my car, I recapped what we talked about and was satisfied that I got my learning point across. The Civil War was the result of many causes that built up in the decades preceding the war. I felt confident that these junior historians where sufficiently intrigued to continue reading and learning. They are fortunate enough to live in an area that offers so many nearby Civil wars sites, like the Bentonville battlefield and Bennet place.

My stomach growled as I got into the car. It was lunch time.and I was hungry.

I was going to need something more substantial than a blueberry muffin.

Who was William G. Ray?

Confederate Graves to Raleigh's Oakwood Confederate Cemetery

As we begin the Labor day weekend, the Sesequntinial anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg has already been relegated to the far recesses of our minds. Only two short months ago the climax of years of planning and anticipation exploded in, not one, but two reenactments that received national attention for two weeks around the July 1-3 anniversary. But that is ancient history now. And yet, 150 years ago, the battle was far from over in late August and early September. It wasn’t until July 22, 1863 that the first casualty reports for the 6th North Carolina were published in the “Raleigh State Journal”(1). Can you imagine being a worried parent, spouse or sibling, waiting to hear if your loved one was killed or wounded, or worse yet, captured, during the horrible battles that took place in far off Pennsylvania?

Among the 178 names listed (k-20, W-128, M-30) for the 6th North Carolina regiment we find the following: “Company B. Killed--Sergt W G Ray”. Perhaps this was how his mother first received this sad news. Perhaps a friend or relative read it and conveyed it to her while offering sympathy. Perhaps a comrade of her son sent a letter home. However she heard about it, it must have been heartbreaking news.

Of the 20 names listed as killed, you may wonder why I singled out Serg’t Ray? Simple, I found his obituary in the August 26, 1863 edition of the “Hillsboro Recorder”. Having searched through hundreds of newspapers and seeing thousands of North Carolina casualties listed on page after page, it is very unusual to find an obituary for a specific soldier. Sometimes tributes are written for famous officers, but rarely is one written for an “ordinary soldier”. Here is what his said:

Obituary.
Was killed in battle at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863,
Sergeant WILLIAM G. RAY, of Company B, 6th N. C. Troops. Aged about 23 years. Thus has a noble youth fallen in defense of his country. At the commencement of hostilities he volunteered his service and soon earned distinction as a brave and generous hearted soldier. At the first Manassas battle, commanded by and at the fall of the lamented fighter, he was slightly wounded (2). This wound detained him from service but a short time. At the battles before Richmond he was again wounded on a [xx xxx] from a charge from the enemy’s breastworks (3) . from the effects of this wound he lingered at home some months, but inspired by patriotism and a love for his comrades in arms, he returned to his command before he was entirely recovered. He was in all the battles up to the time of his fall, fought by the memorable Sixth N. C. Regiment. He fought with firmness, bravery and determination, never faltering from duty, in camp, on a march or the battle field ever ready to bear his portion of the burdens of warfare. He was a gentleman, a good soldier, and a devoted Christian. Always modest and unassuming, he seldom passed for his true worth only with those with whom he was intimately acquainted. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church at Little River. The church has lost a devoted member, the army a good soldier, and his mother a humble and submissive son.He leaves an aged and afflicted mother (4), five brothers (three of whom are in Illinois and two in Confederate service) and five sisters (two of whom are in Illinois and three in North Carolina) (5) too mourn their irreplaceable loss but they mourn not as those that have no hope, for their loss is his eternal game.

J. W. M.

My curiosity aroused, I searched out William G. Rays record in the roster of both the “Bloody Sixth”, the regimental history, and “North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 a Roster”. In both cases the soldiers record were somewhat less detailed than I would normally expect to see:

RAY, WILLIAM G., Sergeant
Resided in Orange County where he enlisted at age 19, May 25, 1861, for the war. Mustered in as Private and promoted to Corporal on September 28, 1861. Promoted to Sergeant on January 1, 1863. Killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1863. (6)

This led me to research his slim compiled service record, which contained a few muster roll records, his roll of honor commemoration and his mother’s name, Emily, on a register of claims made after he was deceased.

So, who was William G. Ray? Turning back to the obituary raised more questions than it answered. It mentioned he was twice wounded, yet neither wound is mentioned in his Compiled service record or his roster entry. Searching a little further I found his name mentioned in newspaper casualty records and was able to confirm those wounds. This tells me that you can’t always trust compiled service records to be complete records.

Going further back, I looked him up in the 1850 Census. He was a member of a large family. His parents were farmers, yet he lists his occupation in the 1860 census as laborer. His father was deceased by 1860 but his mother is still listed as farmer. Could this mean he is working elsewhere, perhaps for Charles Frederick Fisher’s North Carolina Railroad? If so, this may explain how he came to be a member of the 6th North Carolina.

I wondered who was the author of the obituary? It wasn’t his mother Emily or any of his siblings because their names do not match the initials. It’s probably not a comrade either, since there is no J.W.M. in Company B or in officer roles in the 6th NCST. The author would appear to be someone close to him, with intimate knowledge of his siblings and church membership. Perhaps a cousin or member of his church, although no obvious name popped out during my brief investigation 150 years after it was written.

Whoever J. W. M. was, he thought enough of Sergeant Ray to have a nicely written obituary written and placed in a widely read public newspaper. If we know nothing else about Ray, we have been assured by J. W. M. that he was a brave and committed soldier (his record confirms that) and that he was a devoted Christian and loving son. I don’t doubt the later, but have no way to confirm it. Wouldn’t J. W. M. be amazed to know his tribute has now been immortalized on the world wide web!

My last bit of research was to identify William G, Ray’s grave. I have a list of places he is Not buried, but in the end I was unable to locate where his remains lie. If he was buried on the battlefield he may never be found. In 1871 the Wake County Ladies Memorial Association arranged for the remains of North Carolina’s Gettysburg dead to be returned and buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. 137 remains were returned (7). Sergeant Ray was not listed among them, although 14 are unknown. He may rest close by, but wherever he is buried, may he rest in Peace.

Notes:

1 C. Mebane, Adj’t 6th N. C. Regiment, “Sixth Regiment”, Raleigh State Journal, Raleigh, N. C., July 22, 1863, RaSTJw-1 microfilm at the North Carolina State Archives researched on June 14, 2008 by Rick Walton.

2 “Lamented Fighter” refers to Colonel Frederick Charles Fisher who fell leading the 6th NC troops in their first battle, Ray is listed in the August 1, 1861 “Richmond Daily Dispatch” list of casualties in “Col. Fisher’s regiment” (6th NCST) as “slightly wounded”. Not mentioned in his Compiled Service records.

3 Listed in June 18, 1862 North Carolina Standard as “Slight” wound under 6th NCT casualties from the May 31st battle of Seven Pines. Not mentioned in his Compiled Service records.

4 The name “Emily Ray, Mo” [mother] appears in his compiled service record on a register of claims of deceased soldiers from NC which were filed for settlement in the office of the Confederate states auditor for the war department.

5 1850 census (11/22/1850) for first district in the county of Orange, NC list the following: William D Ray, 53, farmer, Emily 48, Eliza 23, Peter 21, Isaac 19, George 16, Hugh 14, Margaret 11, William 9, Henry 7, Emily 4. All born in NC. William SR., Peter, Isaac and George list their occupation as Farmer. Isaac and everyone younger except emily is listed as having attended school in the last year.

The 1860 (8/26/1860) census lists the following: Emily Ray 57 farmer with personal estate worth $1300, Eliza 25 (should be 33), Margaret 21, William 18 laborer, Emily 13. They live in the Veasey Household

6 Jordon Jr., Weymouth T., “North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 A Roster”, Office of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC, 1973, Pg 290, second column.

7 Purser, Charles E., “A Story Behind Every Stone”, Scuppernog Press, Wake Forest, NC 27588, 2005, Pg 19-21.

1861 North Carolina State Troops Uniform Regulations

REGULATIONS FOR THE UNIFORM DRESS AND EQUIPMENTS, OF THE Volunteers & State Troops OF NORTH CAROLINA 1861 N. C. Adjutant General Raleigh Printed at the N.C. Inst. for the Deaf & Dumb & The Blind 1861

General Orders,
NO. 1

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Adjutant General's Office

Raleigh, May 27th, 1861

The following regulations for UNIFORM DRESS AND EQUIPMENTS of the volunteers and State Troops of North Carolina, are published for the information and guidance of the same:

Proceedings of a Board of Officers, which assembled in the City of Raleigh, N.C., May 23, 1861, by virtue of the following order, viz: Top

STATE TROOPS OF N. C.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Raleigh, May 23,1861.

SPECIAL ORDER,
No. 1

A Board of officers to consist of

Col. J. A. J. Bradford, Corps of Ord'nce and Engineers.
Col. Geo. B. Anderson, 4th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. R. H. Riddick, Ass't Adjutant General.
Captain A. M. Scales, 3rd Reg't. of N. C. Volunteers.
Captain John W. Cameron, Ass't Quarter Master,

will assemble at the Quarter Master General's office, this afternoon, at half past four o'clock, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to determine the Uniform dress and equipments of the Volunteer and State Troops of North Carolina.

By order of the Governor,

R. H. RIDDICK,

Ass't Adj't. General.

UNIFORM

COAT.

. For Commissioned Officers.--All officers shall wear a frock coat, the skirt to extend from two-thirds to three-fourths the distance from the top of the hips to the bend of the knee, single breasted for Captains and Lieutenants, double breasted for all other grades--of North Carolina grey cloth for all Regimental Officers--of dark blue cloth for General Officers and Officers of the General Staff.

2. For a Major General.--Two rows of buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed in threes; the distance between each row, five and one-half inches at top and three and one-half inches at bottom; stand up collar, to rise no higher than to permit the chin to turn freely over it, to hook in front at the bottom and slope thence upward and backward at an angle of thirty degrees on each side, cuffs two and a half inches deep, to go round the sleeves parallel with the lower edge and to button with three small buttons at the under seam; pockets in the fold of the skirts, with one button at the hip and one at the end of each pocket, making four buttons in
the back and skirt of the coat, the hip buttons to range with the lowest button on the breast; lining of the coat, black.

3. For a Brigadier General.--The same as for a Major General, except that there will be only eight buttons in each row on the breast, placed in pairs.

4. For a Colonel.--The same as for a Brigadier General, except that there will be only seven buttons in each row on the breast, placed at equal distances.

5. For a Lieutenant Colonel.--Same as for a Colonel.

6. For a Major.--Same as for a Colonel.

7. For a Captain.--Same as for a Colonel, except that there will be only one row of nine buttons on the breast, placed at equal distances.

8. For a 1st Lieutenant.--Same as for a Captain.

9. For a 2nd Lieutenant.--Same as for a Captain.

10. For Enlisted Men.--The uniform coat for all enlisted men shall be a sack coat of gray cloth (of North Carolina Manufacture) extending half way down the thigh, and made loose, with falling collar, and an inside pocket on each breast, six coat buttons down the front, commencing at the throat; a strip of cloth sewed on each shoulder, extending from the base of the collar to the shoulder seam, an inch and a half wide at the base of the collar, and two inches wide at the shoulder; this strip will be of black cloth for Infantry, red for Artillery and yellow for Cavalry.

11. For a Musician.--The same as for other enlisted men, with the addition of a bar of braid, horizontal to each button--black for
Infantry--red for Artillery and yellow for Cavalry.

BUTTONS.
12. North Carolina Gilt Buttons.
TROWSERS.

13. For Commissioned Officers.--The uniform trowsers for all General

Officers and Officers of the General staff will be of dark blue cloth, made loose and reinforced for all mounted officers, with buff cord or welt, down the outer seam.

14. The uniform trowsers for Regimental Officers will be of North Carolina gray cloth, made loose and reinforced for all mounted officers, with cord or welt down the outer seam--of black for Infantry, red for Artillery and yellow for Cavalry.

15. For Enlisted Men.--The uniform trowsers for enlisted men will be of North Carolina gray cloth, made loose, reinforced for mounted men, with a stripe of cloth down and over the outer seams. The stripe will be black for Infantry, red for Artillery and yellow for Cavalry, one inch wide for non-commissioned staff of regiments; and Sergeants--three-fourths of an inch wide for corporals and one half inch wide for privates.

HAT.

16. For Commissioned Officers.--For General Officers, and officers of the General Staff, a black felt hat of light material; the body of the hat one and one half inch less in circumference at the crown than at the base, to be looped at the right side, with a large gilt button of the North Carolina pattern, and a gilt ornament in front, representing the Coat of Arms of North Carolina, according to pattern in Quarter Master General's Office.

17. For all other Commissioned Officers.--A gray felt hat of light material; the body of the hat one and one half inch less in circumference at the crown than at the base, looped up, on the right side, with a large gilt button of North Carolina pattern, with gilt ornament in front, as follows, viz:

18. For Officers of Infantry.--A Bugle, with number of Regiment.

19. For Officers of Artillery.--Cross cannons with number of
Regiment.

20. For Officers of Cavalry.--Cross Sabres, with number of
Regiment.

The above ornaments according to pattern in the Quarter Master General's office.

21. For Enlisted Men.--A gray hat of the same pattern as for officers, looped in like manner, with the letter of the Company and
number of Regiment of brass in front. The hat band being red for Artillery, yellow for Cavalry and black for Infantry.

22. Officers, when off duty or on fatigue duty may wear the French forage cap, according to pattern in Quarter Master General's
office.

23. Enlisted Men.--Gray, according to pattern.

CRAVAT OR STOCK.

24. For all Officers.--Black, when a cravat is worn, the tie not to be visible at the opening of the collar.

BOOTS AND SHOES.

25. For all Enlisted Men.--Plain leather boot for mounted men, and high quartered, thick soled shoes for men not mounted.

SPURS,

26. For all Mounted Officers.--Yellow metal or gilt spurs.

27. For all Mounted Enlisted Men.--Yellow metal, according to pattern in Quarter Master General's office.

GLOVES.

28. For all Mounted Officers.--Buff or white.

29. For all Enlisted Men.--White Cotton.

SASH.

30. For all Officers.--Crimson silk, to go twice round the waist and to tie behind the left hip, pendant part not to extend more than eighteen inches below the tie, to be worn only on dress occasions.

31. For Non Commissioned Staff of Regiments and First Sergeants of Companies.--Red worsted; to be worn as by Commissioned Officers.

32. The sash will be worn by "Officers of the day," across the body, scarf-fashion, from the right shoulder to the left side, instead of around the waist, tying behind the left hip, as prescribed above.

SWORD BELT.

33. For all Officers.--A waist belt of black leather, not less than one and one half inches or more than two inches wide, to be worn over the sash; the sword to be suspended from it by slings of the same material as the belt, with a hook attached to the belt, upon which the sword may be hung; gilt, rectangle sword belt plate with North Carolina Coat of Arms on it.

34. For Non-Commissioned Officers.--Same belt of plain black leather--belt plate after pattern in Quarter Master General's Office.

SWORD AND SCABBARD.

35. For General Officers and Officers of the Staff.--The sword of the pattern adopted by the United States service for Field Officers, April 9, 1850, without letters U. S.

36. For Mounted Artillery Offices and Cavalry Officers.--The Sabre and Scabbard, the same as the United States service for Cavalry Officers,

37. For all Foot Officers.--Sword of the U. S. service of April 9, 1850, without letters, U. S.

38. For Non-Commissioned Officers.--Of the same pattern in the Quarter Master General's office.

SWORD KNOT.

39. For all Officers.--Gold lace strap, with gold bullion tassel.

40. For Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates Mounted.--According to pattern in Quarter Master General's office.

EPAULETTS.

41. Epauletts will be worn by General Officers and Officers of the General Staff of the same description as those worn by the officers of the U. S. Army, of corresponding grade.

SHOULDER STRAPS.

42. The shoulder straps will be of cloth one and three fourth inches wide by four inches long, broidered with an embroidery of
gold one-fourth of an inch wide. The cloth for the straps will be, for General Officers and Officers of the General Staff, buff; for Artillery, red; for Cavalry, yellow; for Infantry, black.

On the cloth within the strap will be embroidered:

43. For a Major General.--Two silver stars of five rays.

44. For a Brigadier General.--One silver star of five rays.

45. For a Colonel.--One silver embroidered eagle.

46. For a Lieutenant Colonel.--A silver embroidered leaf at each end.

47. For a Major.--A gold embroidered leaf at each end.

48. For a Captain.--Two gold embroidered bars at each end.

49. For 1st Lieutenant.--One gold embroidered bar at each end.

50. For a 2nd Lieutenant.--The straps will contain nothing.

CHEVRONS.

The rank of non-commissioned officers will be marked by Chevrons on both sleeves of the uniform coat, above the elbow, of
worsted binding, one half inch wide, of the same color as the stripe on the seam of the trowsers, points down as follows, viz:

52. For a Sergeant Major.-- Three bars and an arc.

53. For a Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant.--Three bars and a tie.
54. For a Commissary Sergeant.--Three bars and a star.

55. For a First Sergeant.--Three bars and a lozenge.

56. For a Quarter Master and Common Sergeant.--Three bars.

57. For a Corporal.--Two bars.

58.--Articles not in accordance with the above prescribed uniform, but already contracted for, or furnished to troops, may be
used until exhausted.

59. The articles prescribed above for enlisted men, are also prescribed for men of corresponding grades in the volunteer service.

The board having no other business before it adjourned sine die.

JAS. A. J. BRADFORD,

Col. Ordnance & Engineers & Artil. Pres.

JNO. W. CAMERON,
Cap. Ass't Quarter Master, Recorder of Board.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS,

Raleigh, May 25th, 1861.

The proceedings of the Board of officers, to determine the uniform dress and equipments of the volunteers and State troops of
North Carolina, having been submitted to the Military Board and unanimously recommended by it, the Governor approves the same,
and directs that the Regulations contained therein, be carried into effect.

WARREN WINSLOW,

Military Secretary.

By order of the Commander in Chief,

Ass't Ad'jt. General.

My First Reenactment at Gettysburg- a 20 Year Anniversary Memory

Fresh Fish ready for the Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg is often called a "Mecca" for reenactors. It's a magical place that has a strong pull for anyone interested in the war between states. I have visited there many times...as a tourist, as a research historian and as a reenactor. I generally stop for a few hours whenever I'm passing through the area. I once spent a week there with my wife seriously contemplating the purchase of a B&B. I have led tours there, acted in the movie "Gettysburg" there, participated in a battlefield monument identification project, taken tours, marched in parades, fought & camped on the ACTUAL battlefield under the auspices of the National park service...Wow! now that I think about it, I've has lots of great memories and experiences there.

Every experience I have ever had in Gettysburg has been memorable, but today I am thinking about my first visit as a reenactor.

When I became a reenactor and joined the 150th New York Volunteer infantry regiment in 1993, most of the members had attended the 125th Gettysburg reenactment in 1988. It was their badge of honor and distinction. The camaraderie they shared, the experience they gained and the bragging rights they earned where all very attractive to a fresh fish newby like me. In time I earned my place as a full fledged member of the regiment, but I would never be...could never be... part of that unique fraternity of brothers who went to the 125th Gettysburg renactment.

When I "enlisted", I didn't realize that 1993 was the 130th anniversary year of 1863, but when the 150th NYSVI put the Gettysburg reenactment on their event schedule, I was anxious to go. Not only would this be my first time reenacting at Gettysburg, it was actually my first "mega"-reenactment anywhere. Sure, I had been to a number of drills, school talks and local living histories, but this was finally the real thing!

I packed my gear. I think I had bought a tent for the occaision, but for just about everything else, I was either wearing it or it fit into my haversack. Today, as a veteran, I choose to travel light, but at that point, my lack of "stuff" gave me little choice.

I wish I could remember exactly how I felt, but I am sure it was overwhelming. That feeling never changes whenever I go to the big national reenactments. Neat orderly rows of white tents cover entire fields, stretching to the horizon. Troops drilling on the margins while individual soldiers of every description walk through the camps under the smoky haze of hundreds of cooking fires. Across the road, a huge car park has taken over the adjacent fields and cars of every color and description stretch to the opposite horizon.

In the middle are large circus size tents and rows and rows of large wall tents, their sides rolled up to display a multitude of exotic wares spilling out into the dusty temporary streets.

Golf carts noiselessly glided around cavelrymen leading straining horses to pasture. Crowds of curious spectators and excited participants flowed eagerly in and out of busy suttlers. The hot air was thick with the smell of woodsmoke, horse manure, popcorn and roasting meat. A stray breeze might ruffle the colorful pennants and flags hanging everywhere, adding to the pageantry, but doing little to stifle the record breaking heat.

Nearby stood row after row of pickup trucks hauling trailers carrying one and sometimes two cannons. I had never seen so many cannons in one place. Colorful license plates were silent witness to the distances these canons have traveled...Texas, Ohio, Vermont, Illinios, North Carolina.

Every where you looked were people in period dress heading somewhere in every direction of the compass. Even little kids, decked out in miniature uniforms or hoop skits ran around underfoot playing soldier.

The site reminded me of the state fair, without the Ferris wheels.

After registering, I joined the throng of sweaty, dusty soldiers loaded down with gear. Some of the smarter guys pushed period wheel barrows. As I wandered up and down the endless rows of tents, looking for our camp site, I realized the aimless wanderings looked a bit like the attack of the zombies, as desperately hot and tired renenactors dragged themselves down one company street after another is a daze.

I don't really recall how I found my friends or, really, anyone who was there, but I have a strong memory of laying on a new wool blanket in a new wool uniform inside a new crisp white dog tent. I gazed at the intense white spot radiating heat, made by the late afternoon sun. Sweat oozed from every pore in my tired, dusty body. The tent was hotter than an oven. But I had a silly grin on my face. I was a soldier and this was my own, personal home for my weekend in Gettysburg! I proud to be a soldier that had finally started earning my own bragging rights.

Re-Enactment Group Funds Conservation of Flag at the N.C. Museum of History

Source: N.C. Department of Cultural Resources News 5/15/2013

RALEIGH — When the 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops fought at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek in Virginia, a Union soldier captured its flag on April 6, 1865–just days before Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

Although the Confederate flag was returned to North Carolina in 1905, it has remained in storage at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh because of its fragile condition. More than 100 years later, the 6th Regiment’s banner has been conserved with help from the Cedar Forks Rifles Preservation Society, a re-enactment group also known as 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops, Company I. The group raised $6,500 to fund the specialized textile treatment required to clean, protect and stabilize the historic banner.

“The museum owes a debt of gratitude to the Cedar Forks Rifles Preservation Society for donating the funds needed to conserve this important artifact,” said Jackson Marshall, Associate Director at the N.C. Museum of History. “Without the support of individual citizens and private organizations, few, if any, of the museum’s Civil War flags would be preserved for future generations to see and appreciate.”

On April 6, the Cedar Forks Rifles Preservation Society unveiled the newly conserved banner during a dedication ceremony at the Museum of History. More than 100 people from across North Carolina attended the ceremony.

“We volunteer because our ancestors volunteered 150 years ago, and we want to honor them,” remarked 1st Lt. Rick Walton of the 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops re-enactment group. “Conserving flags, maintaining Confederate cemeteries, visiting schools, as well as participating in living history presentations and re-enactments are all ways we honor our ancestors.”

The 6th Regiment flag is missing a star in the top right corner, but the area was not repaired during conservation because it is part of the history of the flag.

“The star was probably cut out by a Union soldier who wanted it as a souvenir,” Marshall noted.

The 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops was called “the bloody 6th” because it fought in many major battles throughout the Civil War. Formed across central North Carolina by Charles Frederick Fisher, the regiment mustered into service in May 1861. Two months later, it had the distinction of being the only North Carolina regiment to be engaged at the first great battle of the Civil War in Manassas, Va., also known as the First Battle of Bull Run. Col. Fisher was killed in the battle, and today Fort Fisher bears his name.

After nearly four years of fighting and many losses, the 6th Regiment engaged in its last battle at Sailor’s Creek, where the Confederate Army lost more than 7,700 men.

The 6th Regiment’s flag will be featured in 2015 in the exhibit North Carolina and the Civil War: 1864-1865. The exhibit is presented as part of the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is presenting programs in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina. For a calendar of events, go to the Civil War website

When the 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops fought at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek in Virginia, a Union soldier captured its flag on April 6, 1865 — just days before Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

The 6th Regiment flag is missing a star in the top right corner, but the area was not repaired during conservation because it is part of the history of the flag.

“The star was probably cut out by a Union soldier who wanted it as a souvenir,” Marshall noted.

After nearly four years of fighting and many losses, the 6th Regiment engaged in its last battle at Sailor’s Creek, where the Confederate Army lost more than 7,700 men.

For more information about the Museum of History, call (919) 807-7900 or visit ncmuseumofhistory.org. For details about the re-enactment group, go to www.6NCST.org.

The N.C. Museum of History is a unit of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. For more information on North Carolina arts, history and culture, visit Cultural Resources online.

Remembering the Battle of Chancellorsville, 150 years ago today

Today I am Honoring the men of the 6th North Carolina State troops who were casualties of the battles around Fredericksburg, as part of the Chancellorsville Campaign, 150 years ago on May 4, 1863.

Sergeant Bartlett Yancey Malone

One of the 6th North Carolina State Troops members, Sergeant Bartlett Yancey Malone of Company H, left his impressions of that day in his diary:

"...we was marching about first from one plais to nother a watching the Yankees untell about a hour by sun and the fight was opend our bregaid went in and charged about half of a mile and just befour we got to the Yankee Battery I was slightly 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 slitly wounded in the arm. I. L. Evans had his finger shot off---"

This action took place in front of their position on the extreme right of the Confederate line between Deep Run and Hamilton's Crossing. Yankee General Sedgewick's troops had crossed as a feint to hold these troops in place while General Hooker made a flank attack on the left of the Confederate line above Frederickburg near a place called Chancellorsville.

Malone continues:

"the fift day we found the Yankess had all gon back on the other side of the river and we marched back down to the old camp ground and taken up camp again."

Neither attack succeeded, but the cost to the Sixth North Carolina was high. Did they fight at Chancellorsville? Not exactly, but Hoke's Brigade in Early's division made a stand at Fredericksburg and played an important role in the Chancellorsville campaign.

We honor their memory today.

For a more detailed description of the battle, Click here==> https://6ncst.blogspot.com/2017/05/chancellorsville-fight-6th-ncst-at.html

(transcribed and authenticated by Rick Walton, from the "Hillsborough Recorder", May 20, 1863)

List of Killed and Wounded in the Sixth North Carolina Troops
Below we present the casualties in the 6th N. C, Troops, in the Battle of Chancellorsville;

Company A.-	Killed.-	J. [John]M. Hemphill
		Martin Smith[may be buried in Fredericksburg]
	Wounded.-	J.[Isaac] W. Burgess,
		John Davis,
		Peter Eply,
		John Eply *,
		Sergeant J. [James] R. [Robert] Dickson.
Company B.-	Killed.-	Philo D. Wilson
	Wounded.-	Lieut. J. [John] S. Lockhart, severely in head;
		Corp'l Joseph C. Allison, slightly;
		Clem. [Clement] W. Crabtree, slightly in breast;
		John [W.] James [Captured-#];
		James Bagfield*;
		Allen Tilley, slightly in foot;
		Elisha [H.] Tilley, very slightly in foot.
	Missing-	Corp'l Willie Meadows [Captued-#],
		Leander Wilson [Captued-#].
Company C.-	Killed-	John M. [Henry] Markham
	Wounded-	Captain [William G. ]Guess,
		Thomas Dollar [listed as killed in roster],
	Missing-	James Ferrell [Captured-#],
		Levi Markham [listed as wounded in roster]
		Rufus Massey [Captured-#]
Company D.-	Killed-	Alfred Brittain.
	Wounded-	Jesse Holder,
		J. [John] Q. Brittain,
		W. [William] Bailey,
		J. B. Davis,
		Thomas Powell,
	Missing-	J. [Julius]Hildebrand [Captured-#].
Company E.-	Killed-	Thomas Whisenhunt.
	Wounded	James [W.] Lewis,
		Calhoun Johnson ,
		Tilman Vance.
	Taken Prisoner-	Robert Howell [Captured-#]
Company F.-	Killed-	Thomas [E.] Gibson
	Wounded.-	[1st] Sergeant A. [Armstrong] Tate,
		Privates J. [James] N. Bradshaw [died in Richmond of wounds on May 23],
		J. [John] A. Gibson,
		William [J.] Kerr,
		F. [Foster] A. Hatch,
		Wm.[William A.] Sykes,
	Missing.-	Wm. Pender [Captured-#]

Company G.-	Killed.-	[None]
	Wounded.-	J.[Jacob] M. Richie**
		E.[Ebenezer] H. Miller [Captured- #]
	Missing.-	Wm. Wedlock [Captured- #]
Company H.-	Killed.-	[None]
	Wounded.-	Lieut. Levi [Hardy] Walker,
		Sergeant B.[Bartlet] Y. [Yancey] Malone,
		J. [John] B. Aldred [arm amputated],
		T. [Thomas] R. Cape [Captured-#],
		J. [James] E. Coleman,
		J.[Thomas] L. Evans,
	Missing.-	J. [John] W. Lloyd[Loyd] [Captured-#].
Company I.-	Killed.-	[None]
	Wounded.-	Lieut. T. Thomas] M. Jenkins,
		Privates J.[James] M. Smith**,
		C. Eubanks**,
		Wesley Page**,
		L. [Lafayette] Pickard,
	Missing.-	George Varner.
Company K.-	Killed.-	[None]
	Wounded.-	Captain [Joseph S.] Vincent (slightly),
		[1st]Sergeant [Martin Van Buren]Simpson,
		D. [David] Tallant,
		F. [Frederick] Wyatt,
		James Pickett ***,
		John W. [Washington] Christopher.

	Killed.	8
	Wounded.	46
	Missing.	16
		---
	Total	70

(Signed.)	C. Mebane. Adjt

NOTES
* Not listed in Manarin Roster
** Wounded May 3, 1863
*** James Pickett died in 1862 of Tyfoide fever according to the Roster
#- Captured at Fredericksburg, Va. on May 3, 1863 and confined at Fort Delaware until paroled and exchanged at city Pt., Vs. on May 23, 1863.

Sources:

1- Hillsborough Recorder (newspaper), May 20, 1863 (HiHR) (available on Microfilm at the N. C. State Archives, Raleigh, N. C.

2- Manerin, Louis H., "The Sixth North Carolina Regiment Roster", published as anappendix to "the Bloody Sixth" by Richard W. Iobst, 1965, North Carolina Confederate centenial commision, North Carolina division of Archives and History.

3- Malone, Bartlertt Yancey, "Whipt 'em Everytime, the diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, co. H, 6th N. C. Regiment", 1960,1991, Broadfoot Publishing, Wilmington, N.C.

Annual Clean-up Day at Oakwood Confederate Cemetery in Raleigh, N. C.

Saturday April 20, 2013 was a beautiful spring day, although still a little chilly. It was bright and sunny...one of those days when you can't wait to get outside. It was a beautiful day to work in the yard among the blooming trees of spring. It was a day we chose to meet at the Oakwood Confederate Cemetery for our annual Spring cleanup.

Members of the Colonel Leonidas L. Polk SCV camp 1486 from Garner, NC converged on Oakwood Confederate Cemetery at 9 AM armed with buckets, brushes, hoses and bleach.

There are many ways to honor our Confederate ancestors...or Union if thats all you have. In my case, I have neither, but have adopted members of the 6th North Carolina State Troops as my substitute, since my ancestors were still in Europe at the time of the American war between the states.

We honor their memory with ceremonies and speeches, reenactments and blogs, but sometimes it requires more. Sometimes you need to get down on your knees....and scrub. Thats what we did on Saturday. We scrubbed away a years worth of dirt, pollen and algae that had stained the shining white headstones. We want them to sparkle on Confederate Memorial Day.

It takes elbow grease to keep the headstones clean

The work was pleasant, surrounded by a dozen friends with the same mindset. The warming rays of the sun chasing away the chill and played hide n seek as fluffy white clouds gently floated by overhead. Everywhere you looked were the pinks and purples and whites of springtime blossums to cheer you on. The hum of diesel engines from the machines working on a nearby street faded into the background as the wind rustled the newly sprouted leaves. The leaves had that bright green, early spring color that dappled the sunlight, giving everything underneath a fresh look. Birds chirped and nearby the men spoke in quiet undertones, having a reverence for this sacred place. It was a very peaceful and refreshing way to spend a lovely spring morning. Looking back at the orderly ranks of headstones shining brightly in the noon-time sun when we finished filled you with the pride of a job well done. We had paid our tribute today with a little bit of elbow grease, bleach and good fellowship. We are ready for Memorial Day.

Members of The Garner, N.C. L. L. Polk SCV Camp pitched in to keep the Confederate Cemetery tidy

See all the pictures at:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk2CWkVS