Time line of the North Carolina Grays Company Flag

(C) 2015-2024 Documented by Frederick Walton, Historian

The flag of the “North Carolina Grays”  was designed and hand made by the girls and ladies of Cedar Fork to be  presented to their loved ones who were departing for war as company I of the newly formed Sixth Regiment of North Carolina State troops. It is an  Infantry company flag.

The silk flag has a blue field with a white canton containing a hand painted NC state seal. Beneath the state seal, on a painted flowing white ribbon, are the words "THE OLD NORTH STATE FOREVER”.

The reverse white canton reads "NORTH CAROLINA GRAYS” on a white arc above a centrally located small, single, gold five pointed star, with the words “PRESENTED BY LADIES OF CEDAR FORK” on a white arc below the Star.

This flag was carried with them to the seat of war in Virginia,  but packed in a trunk and unused while the regiment fought in many a bloody battle. The storage trunks were discovered during a Federal raid and the contents taken. Many years later the flag was returned and put on display.

Today the flag resides, in climate controlled storage, at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, N. C. Overall the paint is badly cracked and the silk fractured. No conservation has been performed upon this flag due to the brittle and shattered silk. It cannot be viewed or studied until conservation has been undertaken because even moving it causes deterioration.

Following is the concise, but detailed timeline of the flag from its inception to it delicate current state. It is now up to us to preserve both its memory and the physical reminder of this historic relic.

The Conception

1859- Cedar Fork Academy formed with Richard W. York as Principle and Hiram Weatherspoon as president of the board of trustees. Source: The Weekly Standard, 14 Dec 1859, Wed, Page 1

“The school is located immediately on the North Carolina Railroad, sixteen miles N. W. of Raleigh and four [miles] North of Morrisville, and students can get off the mail train at the academy. [I. e. School is located near the tracks] source: New Bern Daily Progress, 28 March 1860, Page 2.

Map Showing Location of Cedar Forks Academy near present day Morrisville, N. C.

January 7, 1860- York calls a military meeting at Cedar Fork and organizes the “Wake Riflemen” with Weatherspoon as Captain and York as 3rd Lt. Source: Weekly Raleigh Register, 18 Jan 1860, Wed, Page 1

April 29, 1861- A “Soldiers Relief Association” is organized by the Ladies of Cedar Fork with a stated objective of presenting Professor R. W. York’s volunteers with a “handsome flag” as well as supplying the volunteers with the material comforts of home and offering moral support. Source: Semi-Weekly Standard, 8 May 1861, Wed, Page 3; Semi-Weekly Standard, 18 May 1861, Sat, Page 2

May 11, 1861- “Prof York, of Wake, has suspended his school and raised a company [The North Carolina Grays], of which he has been elected captain. He expects to have 100 men or more.” Source: Semi-Weekly Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina)11 May 1861, Sat • Page 3 & Semi-Weekly Standard, 18 May 1861, Sat • Page 3


The Flag is Made

May 1861- Blue Silk Flag, with white hand painted Cantons, edged with heavy Gilt fringe was made by Miss Sophia Partridge of Raleigh who was conducting a female school in Raleigh and was a prize winning seamstress and artist.  source: The State Chronicle, 7 Feb 1892, Sun, Page 1

Sophia Partridge

May 16,1861 6th Regiment organized and went into camp of instruction at Company Shops, near present day Burlington, N. C. source: Jordon, “NC Troops”, Vol 1, pg 258

May 21, 1861- Letter from C. F. Fisher [Charles Frederick Fisher, president of the North Carolina Railroad  and organizer of the 6th Regiment] to Capt. York apologizing for being unable to meet due to other business but urging him to decide whether to join the regiment he was then forming. “I am called upon to present the names of Captains & Officers- for appointments- I believe no more short term volunteers will be received- so the governor says- until the State Troops are filled up. So your question would be as between myself & some other chief.”… “If you are yet determined- send me your names of officers by morning train to report for appointment at once or wait to see me- as you please”  Source: North Carolina State Archives, PC.498,  Charles F. Fisher Paper, 1 Item copied by Frederick Walton 8/13/2005

May 28, 1861- Company I [The North Carolina Grays] was organized and assigned to the 6th North Carolina State Troops with 120 members on the roll. source: Durham Globe (Durham, North Carolina) · Sat, Oct 15, 1892 · Page 1 


The Flag is Presented

June 1, 1861- Meeting of the North Carolina Grays at Cedar Fork to include speeches, sermon, flag and bible presentation, military drills and food. source: Semi-Weekly Standard, 18 May 1861, Sat, Page 3; The Weekly Standard, 12 Jun 1861, Wed, Page 2 (note: see this article for text of speech presenting and receiving the flag.)

July 9, 1861- 6th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops acts as Military Guard and escort for remains of deceased Governor John W. Ellis. source: The Raleigh Register. Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday, July 13, 1861 - Page 3    Note: The North Carolina Grays Company Flag was carried at Ellis Funeral: “Co. I assigned to escort the body of Governor Ellis flying their company flag.” Source: The State Chronicle, 29 Sep 1892, Thu, Page 4

North Crolina Governor John W. Ellis (1820-1861)

July 11 1861- the 6th North Carolina State Troops,  957 strong, enters Confederate Service and left for Virginia. Source: Semi-Weekly Standard, 13 Jul 1861, Sat, Page 3

July 21, 1861- Battle of Manassas- North Carolina Grays are now Co. I of the 6th North Carolina State Troops and are participants in the first great battle of the war. Colonel Fisher Is Killed Leading his troops into battle.

August 1, 1861- Official statement of the killed and wounded in Col. Fisher's regiment at the battle of Manassas - Company I, Capt. York, commanding.--Sergeant Hiram Sears, Sergeant John W. Wilson and Private Joseph T. Morris, mortally wounded; Private James H. Moring, severely wounded, and Joseph D. Ausley, slightly wounded. Source: The Richmond Daily Dispatch: August 1, 1861

APRIL 12, 1861- General Lee Surrenders at Appomattox Court House. The war is over . 181 members of the 6th North Carolina State Troops Surrender and receive their paroles, including 26 members of Co. I (“North Carolina Grays”). None of those surrendering were officers. They returned without the (probably long forgotten) company flag.


The Flag is Lost

October- December 1861- In an 1892 interview, York recalled setting forth to “die for his country with his wife’s Saratoga packed full of clean linen and other articles deemed by them necessary for his comfort and well being.” Saratoga trunks were the premium trunks of the period containing myriad compartments, trays, and heavy duty hardware. Finding them cumbersome and inconvenient for active field operation York and about 60 of the men in his company left their trunks in charge of a man living near their camp, in a house on the Potomac adjoining Mount Vernon. The North Carolina Grays company flag, no longer used, was stored in Captain York’s trunk along with his other valuables.  Source: The State Chronicle, 7 Feb 1892, Sun, Page 1

Example of a "Saratoga Trunk". Less practical than a knapsack when on the march!

“Sometime in 1863”- the 73rd Ohio Regiment, guarding Washington, D.C., is sent on a special expedition to scout the area in their front and discovers Company I’s cache of Confederate trunks which were “captured”. The North Carolina Gray’s “handsome silk flag” was given to Major Thos. W. Higgins by the Brigade Commander as a souvenir. Source: The State Chronicle, 30 Jan 1892, Sat, Page 1    

Note: York Writes in “BRIEF SKETCHES NORTH CAROLINA STATE TROOPS IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. “COLLECTED AND COMPILED By JAMES C. BIRDSONG, ex-State Librarian. APPENDIX A. FLAG OF THE "NORTH CAROLINA GRAYS.:

“During the fall of 1862, while in camp on the Potomac river, the company was sent on an expedition against a force of Federal troops, and while on this duty the house wherein was stored the company's baggage, etc., was captured by the 73d Ohio Regiment under command of Major T. W. Higgins, and thus the flag fell into the hands of the enemy. Major Higgins sent the flag to his home in Ohio where it was preserved as a trophy of war.”


May 7, 1879- York, working on writing a regimental history solicits material from former comrades. Source:  The Observer, 8 May 1879, Thu, Page 2

June 22,1888- Major York writes to Chatam Record and explains that the North Carolina Grays Flag was “lost” when the trunk it was stored in was taken in a raid, not “captured in battle “and in fact was “never in any engagement”. Source: The Chatham Record, 28 Jun 1888, Thu, Page 3

The Flag is Found

Jan 22, 1892-  U. S. Federal Army Major Thos. W. Higgins writes to the Raleigh State Chronicle relating the story of how he came to process the North Carolina Gray’s Company flag and offers to return it to veterans of that unit in the spirit of reconciliation. Source: Major Thos. W. Higgins in The State Chronicle, 30 Jan 1892, Sat, Page 1

Feb 4, 1892- The Chatam Record prints an article about the offer to return the flag and suggests  organizing a veterans reunion and inviting Higgins to present the flag to the veterans. Source: The Chatham Record (Pittsboro, North Carolina) · Thu, Feb 4, 1892 · Page 3 


February 5, 1892- Major York request the flag be returned and offer to forward to the state Library where is can be displayed as an “historical relic”. Source: Durham Globe, 5 Feb 1892, Fri, Page 1

June 7, 1892- Major York announces reunion Planning meeting to be held at Cedar Fork on July 2, 1892. Source: Durham Globe, 7 Jun 1892, Tue, Page 1  Note: See Durham Globe, 18 Jul 1892, Mon, Page 2 for particulars decided on at the meeting.

Aug. 22, 1892- Announcement of Confederate Veterans reunion at Cedar Fork on October 7, 1892 featuring the return of the North Carolina Grays Company Flag, speeches, picnic dinner, etc. Source: Durham Globe, 22 Aug 1892, Mon, Page 4; Durham Globe, 6 Sep 1892, Tue, Page 1;Durham Globe, 4 Oct 1892, Tue, Page 1;The State Chronicle, 29 Sep 1892, Thu, Page 4

October 1, 1892: Major York invites N. C. Governor Holt to Reunion to receive the flag. Holt appoints a delegate and pledges to carefully preserve the flag in the memory of those who so courageously followed it. Source: The State Chronicle, 2 Oct 1892, Sun, Page 1


The Flag is Returned

October 7, 1892: The Last Reunion held at the Cedar Fork [Baptist] Church, The North Carolina Gray’s Flag is finally returned to North Carolina by Colonel Higgins and presented to Mrs. Fannie Lyon Lowe, who originally presented them to the company in 1861. She in turn presented them to Lieut. D. C. Gunter Major  R. W. York gave a historical sketch of the company, Sgt C. L Williams read the roll call of 120 original members and many were answered “dead” by friends, but 31 were present to answer the roll. Recruits during the war pushed the final roll to 252 men of who 67 were still living. A picnic and intermission followed the roll call. After dinner the people reassembled to watch Major York thank Col Higgins and present the colors to the state to be displayed in the state library. ( the State library was located on Capitol Square in the Supreme Court and Library Building which it occupied from 1888-1914) The Governor, unable to attend Appointed Col. E. G. Harrell , QMG to accept the flag on his behalf. A large crowd of over 3,000 people attended, Several speeches and music by the Durham band entertained visitors. Details reported in several newspapers:  Durham Globe, 8 Oct 1892, Sat, Page 1; The State Chronicle, 8 Oct 1892, Sat, Page 4 (includes Harrell’s speech);Durham Globe, 15 Oct 1892, Sat, Page 1 (Birdsong’s Speech)

Mrs. Fannie Lyon Lowe

Note:  The Blue Silk “Fisher” Regimental Flag was also present at the reunion. Source: The State Chronicle, 8 Sep 1892, Thu, Page 3

May 20, 1895- 25 men of “the Cedar Fork Veterans, Co. I, [Sixth] N. C. Regiment” carried the recently returned company flag in the parade to dedicate the Confederate memorial on the lawn of the Capitol in Raleigh. The Flag was borrowed from its display at the state library.
Source: News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina) · 21 May 1895, Tue · Page 5

December 5, 1902 Hall of History Created- Fred G. Olds Opens a “hall of History” in the State Museum (forerunner of the museum of Natural Sciences), in The Capitol City of Raleigh.  Olds's private collection and the State Museum's collection were merged and opened to the public as the Hall of History. This 100 x 40 foot room is equipped with the latest in environmentally secure, triple locked display cases. The intention is to show the rich history of North Carolina from Prehistoric Indian relics through the latest conflict of the war with Spain. Of special interest are relics, uniforms, arms and flags of the war between the states, including the  Company flag of the “North Carolina Grays”  previously displayed in the state library. Source: The Morning Post, Raleigh, North Carolina, 03 Dec 1902, Wed  •  Page 5

North Carolina Hall of History (taken between 1914 and 1930)
[North Carolina Museum of History Accession #: H.19XX.188.1].

December 1914- The North Carolina Historical Commission took over the Hall of History and assigned it a twofold purpose: to teach the history of North Carolina and to preserve historical material. The hall moved into its second home in the State Administration Building, now known as the Ruffin Building, at the intersection of Morgan and Fayetteville streets. These new quarters occupied two large halls on the second floor. Collector Fred Olds spent a great deal of effort to acquire Confederate flags for all the North Carolina regiments. It is not clear if the North Carolina Grays flag became part of the collection in 1902 or 1914. Source: NCMOH website

1926: A description of the Flag is found in the in the 1926 book “North Carolina Women Of the Confederacy, Written and Published by MRS. JOHN HUSKE (LUCY LONDON) ANDERSON,  Fayetteville, N . C. Historian, North Carolina Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy:

“In her sketch of Company I, 6th N. C. Regiment, Mrs. A. J. Ellis, the beloved historian of the Raleigh "Daughters," tells of the presentation of a beautiful flag to these boys of the Morrisville and Cedar Fork communities of Wake County. She says, "A beautiful banner of blue silk, trimmed with white silk fringe, the N. C. coat Of arms painted in one corner, and the inscription. "To the Morrisville Grays by the Ladies of Cedar Fork," in the center had been made by Misses Morris, Page and Lyon. This was presented to the company by Miss Jennie Lyon in an appropriate address, being accepted by Lt. Page. After patriotic songs and resounding cheers by the soldiers, a Bible was given each man by the ladies. 
The flag was captured during the war by Major Wiggins, of Ohio, and a great celebration took place at Cedar Fork when it was received by the lady who first presented it, now Mrs. Lowe. This flag is now in the Hall of History in Raleigh.”

Note: the flag actually says “North Carolina Grays” not “Morrisville Grays”. The nucleus of the regiment was from the Cedar Fork Community, near Morrisville.

The Flag Today

February 2015 - The membership of the Sixth North Carolina State Troops /The Cedar Fork Rifles Preservation Society, Inc. has decided to undertake the effort to raise the funds to conserve the silk flag of the North Carolina Grays.

May 2017- Historian Rick Walton is a presenter at the N. C. Museum of History's History à la Carte 

The author was fortunate enough to photograph this flag when it was brought out during a History à la Carte (“Sophia’s Civil War Flag”) presentation he made about the history of the flag in May 2017.

2018- After several years of fund raising, it seemed like an almost impossible task, given that the estimated total required was nearly $14,000. We had some money left over from our previous fund raising effort for the Sixth NCST Saylor's Creek battle flag (now on diplay at the NCMOH) Our various efforts had raised our total to $6000 by late 2018.

2019- The flag today is safely stored at the North Carolina Museum of History, but is in such a fragile state it can not be displayed and can rarely be seen. The silk and painted images are so brittle and fragile it can not be handled or studied. Simply opening the storage draw to look at it would potentially cause additional damage to the already stressed flag. 

Oct 2019- The 26th NC Troops announced their partnership with the 6th NC State Troops, Co. I in order to preserve the company flag of the North Carolina Grays.

Jan 2020-  At the annual business meeting, the members of the Sixth N.C.S.T. voted to donate $2,500 towards the company flag preservation. That puts the total at over $9,300.

Feb 2023-  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. Conservation has yet to be scheduled and is expected to take over a year. 

April 2023- N.C. Grays flag has been delivered to the conservator. Conservation is expected to take about a year. 

Sept. 7, 2024- The Conserved Flag was dedicated in a Ceremony at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. 

The Conserved Flag of the North Carolina Grays
Dedicated at the N. C. Museum of History on September 7, 2024

Please keep an eye on this blog for future updates.

Flag Details:

NCMOH Accession Nbr: H.19XX.330.174

Flag Dimensions: 6’ 3” (190.5 CM) length x 4’ 1/16” (122.0 CM) width

Faces of the Sixth- Private Rufus H. Beavers, Co. I

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The following photographs and information are original members of the "Bloody Sixth". I am honored to include their stories and images here. If you would like to share a story or photo about your 6th NCST ancestor, please leave a comment and I will be in touch.

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Private Rufus Henry Beavers

Company I- “North Carolina Grays”

Private Rufus Henry Beavers

Post war photo age about 35

Contributed by descendant Philip Snell

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Born: 3 Feb. 1830
Prior Occupation: Farmer
Enlisted: unknown

Brother of 6th NCST members Sidney, Charlie and G.T. Beavers.

Click here to see letters written by two brothers James Sidney Beavers and his brother G.T. Beaves to their family from the ranks of the Cedar Fork Rifles in the Confederate Army

 While fighting in the upper Shenandoah Valley under General Early, Beavers was captured at Halltown, West Virginia on August 22, 1864, and confined at Camp Chase, Ohio, until transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, March 18, 1865. Exchanged at Boulware’s Wharf, James River, Virginia, March 27, 1865. Descendantstold me that he wrote in his bible that he was imprisoned in Illinois before being sent to Pt. Lookout.

 Note: Halltown, Va. (Now W.V.) is located just south of Harpers Ferry. On August 10, 1864 the 6th North Carolina was at Bunker Hill Va. (Iobst- The Bloody Sixth, P. 225). The Confederates pursued Sheridan’s Federals beginning August 17, as General Early moved his army from Strasburg toward Winchester, where Ramseur’s division faced a “Considerable Skirmish” The Confederates pursued Sheridan to his stronghold at Harpers Ferry before withdrawing back to Their own strong position at Bunker Hill. It could be that Beavers was captured during skirmishing, while on Picket duty or on patrol. No records exist that give details about his capture.

 Married Louise Lewter (b. Dec. 29, 1834 – d. June 7, 1879) on 2 Feb 1854. together they had fourteen children.

 Died in 12 Mar 1909 and buried at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Chatham County, NC

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Grave of R.H. Beavers in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Chatham Co. N.C.

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Source Notes:

1) Jordon, "North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865"

 2) Compiled Service records at North Carolinas State Archives, Sixth Infantry, Be-Ca F.6.21.4P (NA-MC270-159), 7/24/2004, Co. I, 6 NC Inf

 3) Chatam County Marriages, 1772-1860, pg 46

 4 )Find A Grave:  https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39537773


 

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Additional information or photos would be welcomed to complete the record of this honorable soldier.

Monuments are not ours to take

(C) Rick Walton 4/10/2018

"Who are we then to take away the honor they earned through blood. We didn't bestowe it on them and we have no right to remove it. What we have been given is the sacred duty to protect and preserve this honor for future generations."

Author at 2016 N. C. Capitol Independence Day program to Honor North Carolina Confederate Soldiers 

When I pass the beautiful monuments on the Capitol grounds, I recognize that citizens of North Carolina deliberately placed these here to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of individuals or groups who made significant contributions to our state. The relative importance of these contributions to our contemporary lifestyle is not what matters. WE have surely moved beyond these foundational events to achieve even greater success for our citizens. What is important to me is that these monuments allow us to honor and respect those that came before us to help us be where we are today. We should collectively be able to see these monuments in a place of honor, in the public square, as a way to drive us forward to make our own contributions to society. Our citizens should be looking forward to find ways to improve our community. Looking backward and trying to edit the past to make it less painful does not in any way make our future more promising. If these statutes cause some of us pain, than that should be used as a catalyst for ideas to change the future, not whitewash the past.

When I look at the monuments on the Capitol grounds I see young men with purpose and honor in their lives, whether I'm looking at the Vietnam memorial, the WWI monuments or the Confederate monuments. I honestly don't see white supremacists rallying modern day citizens to return to an antebellum culture of slavery. What I see are ordinary, scared, young farm boys who answered the call of their state to pick up arms in her defense.

Don't forget, the Confederate Monument is dedicated to North Carolina Soldiers who fought for the Confederacy. North Carolinians that answered the request of their state leaders to serve honorably. How can our state leaders now ignore this honorable service by its citizens?

After suffering through four years of unimaginable hardship, danger and brutal war, these boys became the proud, honorable men that did their best and were honored for their achievements by their fellow citizens. Many went on to achieve great things for our state as leaders in the highest positions in both the private and public sectors.

If you take the time to walk through the solemn white Confederate headstones in Oakwood, ask yourself, how many of these soldiers, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, actually owned a slave? The answer, for most, is that they didn't!

Who are we then to take away the honor they earned through blood. We didn't bestowe it on them and we have no right to remove it. What we have been given is the sacred duty to protect and preserve this honor for future generations.

As a taxpayer, I certainly think my money can be better spent than wasting it to appease a vocal minority. Please leave the Monuments alone. The law protects them, but more importantly it is our generation's duty to protect them for the future.

submitted to the NC Historical Commision Monuments committee on 4/10/2018

Looking Back 20 Years- Living History at Gettysburg- 1997

(c) 1997 by Rick Walton

Lt. Col. Jeff Stepp (1955-2017), commanding the 26th Reg't N.C.T. , invited members of the 6th N.C.S.T. to join them at Gettysburg on Aug 15-17 1997 for the second annual National Park Service invitational Living history, march and musket firing demonstration in conjunction with the 24th Michigan infantry. Wes Jones and myself were the only two members of the 6th NCST to make this memorable Journey. 

Here is my recollection as reported in the 6th North Carolina State Troops newsletter following the event: 

If your idea of a living history event is sitting around in the shade while occasionally explaining the contents of your knapsack to curious spectators, then be glad you didn't come with us on the weekend of August 15, 16 and 17. The weekend was an opportunity to truly "live" history, but it came at a sweaty, tiring cost. My thanks to the 26th for letting us fall in with them as "Volunteer Park Rangers".

How many re-enactors can claim that they camped on the actual battlefield at Gettysburg?

How many re-enactors can claim that they camped on the actual battlefield at Gettysburg? Or recreate the Pickett-Pettigrew charge across the very terrain that Lee's Confederates traversed on July 3, 1863? With our flags flying and under arms! Private Wes Jones, Rick Walton and the nearly 100 other North Carolinians who made the long trip to Gettysburg for this event can. The weekend was fun, hot, exciting, hot and busy. And hot. Walking in the shadow of our ancestors made it particularly special. I heard it described as an emotional roller coaster. We each have our own reasons for reenacting (which we had to reevaluate often when the 101 degree heat index zapped our energy and parched our throats) but when we stood on the same killing ground that our ancestors fought upon, we realized precisely why we do this. Dealing with emotions is tough business for manly men like us, so imagine how hard it was to keep your pards from seeing that tear in your eye. But dry eye's were often the exception, not the rule this weekend. Each person faced their emotions in their own private way, but everyone who attended will forevermore remember the sacrifices that were made by our forefathers on this faraway battlefield.

We arrived at the camping grounds in Pitzer's woods late Friday afternoon. We dropped off our gear and headed in to Gettysburg to walk the quiet streets, pausing to visit suttlers, bookstores and relic shops. We even squeezed in a little battlefield sightseeing. We bypassed the multitude of tourist shops selling T-shirts and plastic battle flags and began to concentrate on finding an eating establishment that would ease the hunger pains. We were anxious to quench our thirst and knowing that the National Park Service took a dim view of imbibing on park property, we knew that this would have to last us all weekend. We were pleased to find a place with pitchers of our favorite beverage on special. As we studied the menu, or waitress asked us if we were here for the "reenactment", advertised on a poster in their front window. Wes quickly replied "Why, do we stink already?" As we raised the frosty beverage to our parched mouths we thought that we had never experienced such relief. Little did we know the test of endurance that awaited us during the next two days, when an single drop of water would become a priceless commodity.

After dinner we returned to camp to participate in an event called "moving 50 cars to a parking lot 2 miles away and getting everyone back to camp before daybreak". We played follow the leader as a long caravan of North Carolina tags snaked it way thought the moonlit battlefield lanes. We got a lift back in a shuttle, but several of our comrades took a wrong turn and weren't seen for hours.

When we got back to camp, we strolled over to the artillery section where we were welcomed and offered a treat. A small barrel shaped container held something sloshing around in a liquid. Encouraged to try one, I cautiously withdrew a floating sphere and discovered that it was a Cherry that had been bathing in a solution, somewhat stronger than water, for several days. Wes immediately christened them "Canister", because they look like grapeshot and if you eat enough of them they'll kill you..

Saturday Morning

We awoke to the smells of sizzling bacon. Since there was no commissary, we were forced to rely on the cooking skills we had developed recently at Manassas. After Breakfast, the troops were mustered and the orders of the day were read. Any hope of a relaxing, low impact event were quickly abandoned. We started with drill, then had some drill followed by more drill. But this was the easy part, conducted in the coolness of the morning (barely reaching 90 degrees). It didn't get hard until after lunch, in the heat of the day, when we went on the "death march".

Joining the 26th for this event were representatives from the 6th NCST, 21st NCT, 25th NCT, and 38th NCT as well as the 1st NC Artillery and their horse drawn battery. The morning report showed 105 men present for duty. We were also joined by a rag tag collection of about 15 Marylanders portraying the 1st and 14th Tennessee Volunteers, but the heat "prevented them" from participating in anything but a firing demonstration on Saturday.

Coming down from the Detroit area, were the 24th Michigan, who historically clashed with the 26th in McPherson's woods. This weekend, the 24th encamped near the Pennsylvania Monument to provide a living history from a Yankee perspective.

After lunch the North Carolinians galvanized and began the 2 mile "death march" to the Pennsylvania monument to join the 24th for a joint firing demonstration. We left camp with banners flying , to the beat of the brigade band. Rather than take the "long way" via the park roads, the rangers "allowed" us to go cross country through the fields. At first this made sense , until we got halfway across and ran into a cornfield. We went from column of four to column of two to single file and zig zagged our way through some poor farmers struggling corn crop. (It was rumored, by some of our comrades who also reenact WWII, that this was evasive maneuvers to prevent Nazi U-boats from stalking us).

Codori Barn on Gettysburg Battlefield

Finally reaching the other side, we reformed and marched down the farmers driveway to the highway only to discover that stone walls and fences prevented us from crossing the road. The head of the column executed a "counter march by files right" and before the end of the column knew what was going on, we were passing them on the way back to where we just came from. We tramped across the farmers back yard to a farm lane, following it until a crossing point was found. We entered the welcome shade of another farm yard and took a few minutes rest. By now the canteens were starting to get dry and the Pennsylvania monument was still a shimmering point on the hazy horizon.

Forming up again we proceeded our march down park roads, farm lanes and across still more fields. Women from the 26th NC Soldiers Benevolent Society had driven over from the camp with cold water and ice cubes and were waiting for us under a huge shade tree a couple of hundred yards from the monument. These ladies were indeed angels of mercy. The men fell out to refill canteens and quench powerful thirsts. After a short and welcome rest, we resumed our march and finally joined the 24th Michigan. The large, waiting crowd appreciated the live firing demonstration. Dreading the long march back , we were relieved when air conditionedshuttle vans appeared. When I got to camp I collapsed in a tired, sweaty heat. Who say's living histories aren't as tiring as battle reenactments? I could have stayed there all night but the day was not yet over. We had to change back to gray and get ready for a monument ceremony at 6:00.

 

Still exhausted from the death march, we were thankful to be loaded onto the artillery trailers for the trip up to McPherson's ridge. Hidden just beyond busy Rt. 30, down a quite park lane, are two monuments, one to the 26th North Carolina and opposite that, another to the 24th Michigan. It is on this site that the two regiments met in battle and did their best to obliterate each other.

We marched the short distance, under thegreen canopy of shady trees, to the monuments. A small group of spectators trailed at a respectful distance. Upon reaching the monuments, the brigade divided. The 24th Michigan fronted, backs to their monument, while the 26th NC did the same in front of the North Carolina monument. As the last echoes of the fife and drums dissolved into the still evening air, the two regiments stood facing each other, on opposite sides of the road, exactly as their ancestors had done in combat 134 years earlier. But this evening it was a mutual respect that brought the forces together.

 

24th Michigan Monument at Gettysburg

1st Sgt. Jim Taylor, of the 26th Regt N. C. T., stepped forward with his guitar to begin the program, singing a 19th century version of "Auld Lang Syne". Next Colonel Stepp spoke eloquently about the sacrifices made by the 26th on this spot. He recalled the succession of brave flag bearers, including Colonel Henry K. Burgwyn, who died urging their comrades forward. As the bloody and tattered flag fell for the thirteenth time, Lt. Col. John Randolph Lane grabbed the splintered flag pole exclaiming "No man can take these colors and live! It is my turn to take them forward". Determined to drive the enemy back, he shouted "26th North Carolina, Follow me!" The 24th Michigan momentarily ebbed from the onrushing Confederates, but stubbornly reformed. Lane fell horribly wounded, "the last to discharge his deadly duty that day." Within 20 to 30 minutes, 679 Carolinians fell following the colors in the short and vicious fight. Colonel Stepp reminded us, as Colonel Lane reminded his surviving comrades many years earlier at this same spot, about the importance of the regiment as an extended family. How the loss of a comrade was felt as severely as the loss of any family member. He also talked about remembering and honoring those that came before us. As we stood in the dimming light, our thoughts turned to the sacrifices made on this ground and the human tragedy that awaited the families of the slain back in North Carolina, so far away. The Commander of the 24th Michigan delivered similar remarks, recounting the sacrifices made by the Iron brigade who had an equally high loss. At the conclusion of the remarks, soil from all 100 counties in North Carolina was spread around the base of the N. C. monument consecrating the ground

THE THREE COLONELS OF THE 26TH N.C.T.
Col. John R. Lane, Col. Henry K. Burgwyn, Col. Zebulon B. Vance. Painted in 1904 by William George Randall. Painting currently hangs in the North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC

We marched back to the waiting trailers and piled on. Because of the one way streets, we had to shuttle through Gettysburg on the way back to camp. Can you imagine how many laws we broke? Nearly 100 dirty, sweaty men, dressed in Confederate uniform, no seat belts, Guns pointing every which way. What a site we must have been.

I was exhausted when I got back to camp! I stripped off my hot jacket and poured water over my head. The smells of supper cooking tempted my tired body, but it was no use. The corn, potatoes and canned meat stayed in my knapsack. I was too tired to attempt anything so dramatic and was content to open a cold can of beans for supper. Now I understand how solders could sleep on the march or on a pile of rocks, like we read about in their diaries.

 

As the shadows lengthened, I noticed groups of people drifting over to the nearby Amphitheater. The National Park service was about to put on a program about battle flags. Fortified by a tin cup of something thankfully stronger than water, Wes and I wandered over with some of our comrades and settled in for the evenings program.
Anticipating the Ranger would bow to the dictates of political correctness, our expectations were understandably low. We were pleasantly surprised when he went into a scholarly presentation which more than adequately explained the meaning and importance of the Confederate flag. References to North Carolina's contributions were frequent. We were very impressed.

Sunday morning

Sunday morning came too quickly, as we rustled our weary bones. A brief shower during the early morning hours, accompanied by a stiff northerly breeze, served to cool things down considerably and I found myself wrapped tightly in my blanket to keep warm. The air was actually pleasant, a big change from the stifling heat of the day before. Shortly after breakfast the company streets reverberated with Sergeants echoing first call. We quickly coutered up and assembled on the parade ground. Roll call, size march, count off 1-2-1-2 and we were ready for another busy day. The regimental band struck up a stirring anthem and we began the mile long march toward the North Carolina Monument . The heel plates clicked on the pavement in loud synchronization with the down beat of the regimental drum causing every breast to swell with pride to be part of this grand spectacle. The cool morning air gave way to the approaching warmth as the stillness began erupting with the sound of peepers singing their peculiar tribute to the swelling heat. Faces glistened in the early morning sun, as streams of sweat began its journey from beneath 100 hat bands. The officers brought us from shoulder arms to right shoulder shift to support arms and back again at just the right moments to give our weary arms a rest. Tourists, taking an early morning drive down Confederate avenue, were surprised to see genuine Confederate soldiers on the march.

As we approached a shade covered stretch of road, the music echoed from the trees. Looking into the shady glen, I could almost visualize a phantom army of our forefathers dropping their various camp duties to rush to the roadside and approvingly cheer us on. A loud and spontaneous Rebel yell reverberated through the surrounding forest in response to the band's opening chords of Dixie. The battle flag snapped in the breeze as the men, heads held high, executed a sharp turn at the monument to the applause of the approving crowd gathered there. The pounding of my heart competed with the drum as I stood at attention waiting for the ceremony to begin. Colonel Stepp stood in front of the North Carolina monument facing the brigade. His inspiring remarks caused us to once again reflect on the men we were honoring and the pride we felt as North Carolinians. He called forward representatives to tell what each of their regiments did at Gettysburg.

Colonel Stepp dismissed us to spend a private moment honoring our ancestors. I saw a soldier directly in front of the monument, on bended knee, hat over his heart and head bowed, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice by crossing the field behind us. Just then a gentle rain began falling from the overcast skies and lonely bugle call could be heard from a nearby boy scout camp. Someone later recalled that it seemed as if God himself shared our pride and grief while letting his tear drops fall gently to the earth. The brigade posed for a group photo and then formed up to returned to camp, but before departing we were treated to an interesting history lesson about the North Carolina monument. It was Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, creator of Mount Rushmore, and unveiled in 1929. In 1982, while members of the 26th participated in programs at Gettysburg, it was resolved to restore the sadly deteriorated monument suffering from the ravages of man and time. After struggling with government red tape for three years, this grass roots effort caused our state legislature to delegate $9,800 for cleaning & preservation. Other states soon followed and today all the Statues along Confederate avenue stand proudly shining in the sun.

We returned in time for church services, followed by a regimental meeting. Nearly 100 of us sat in a huge circle and over the course of more than an hour, each person had a chance to speak their minds. Themes about the regiment being like family, the camaraderie, brotherhood and shared devotion to a common cause were repeated by many. The pride of our heritage, association with the 26th and life long memories were also referred to. We discussed the assault on Southern heritage so popular in the politically correct climate of today. Emotions were stretched, racing from moments of tearful sadness and pride, to roaring laughter. Spectators wandering through the camp were drawn to the circle and couldn't tear themselves away from the heartfelt stories. They stood a respectful distance behind us, occaisionaly dabbing their eyes or joining the laughter. They shared a unique look into the culture of American Civil war re-enacters.

After a quick Lunch, we assembled for the final time and marched across the street for a firing demonstration. Curiously, we fumbled through the motions we were so proficient at earlier in the weekend like raw recruits. Was the heat starting to get to us or were our minds on the long awaited event about to commence?

We marched out of the field to the applause and appreciation of the spectators and began the march down the now familiar Confederate avenue toward our destination at the Virginia Monument. Waves of heat shimmered of f the surface of the road in the 95 degree heat. Looking down at the pavement, we could see the imprints of our horseshoe shaped heel plates marking our progress on the softening tar giving a new meaning to the term "tar-heel". Our column turned into parking area of the monument and fell out in the cool shade to refill our canteens. We reformed and were positioned in a line of battle overlooking the field we were about to cross. Behind the stone walls, over a mile away, waited the blue coated 24th Michigan.

Jim Taylor stepped forward and sang a poignant song about two comrades about to go into battle. They each promised contact loved ones should either fall in the coming battle. When the smoke cleared, both lie slain on the field of honor with no one to tell their loved ones anything. As we gazed across the hazy field, we wondered how many times this scenario had been repeated on that tragic July day 134 years ago.

Our wandering minds were abruptly snapped back to the present as the Colonels orders rang out. The dream of every reenacter was about to be realized as our 100 man brigade entered the field under arms, with flags flying. To our rear, General Lee's calm and approving gaze watched our progress from his post atop the Virginia Monument. Our Sergeants implored us to dress the line as me marched forward in careful synchronization. Someone began calling out the landmarks, reminding us that it was here that artillery would begin disrupting the line and , latter, the point that musketry would find its deadly target. Crossing the Emmitsburg pike, we reformed for the final charge. The muzzles of cannon pointed menacingly toward our line. The huge Federal flag could be seen waving behind the silhouettes of the blue coated defenders as the sun glinted off the polished barrels of dozens of muskets secure behind the rugged stone wall.

Emotions were once again racing as the rebel yell exploded throughout our line. The brigade surged forward and was about to charge over the last few yards in a exuberant rush, but the officers and NCOs quickly restored order and we marched to the base of the bloody angle in a well dressed line. A friendly Michiganer gave me his hand to help me across and greeted me, but the lump in my throat prevented me from responding with anything more than a nod. I am confident that many of my comrades shared my plight. The surrounding crowd burst into cheers having just witnessed a stirring and emotional event. If I hadn't been participating, I would have wanted to be a spectator that afternoon. We reformed on the road behind the angle and marched to the Pennsylvania monument for a final joint firing demonstration. On the open field, under the blazing mid-day sun, the excitement of the crossing began to wear off to be replaced by the effects of the heat. It was time to end a great weekend . Camera Crews shadowed us throughout the event and I understand a film will be available next year, but watching the video can not replace the experience of being part of a weekend like this. If the opportunity presents itself in the future, do yourself a favor and make the trip to Gettysburg to participate. It's an experience you'll never forget.

Meet Sergeant John Moore (Not Meadows), Company B, 16th North Carolina.

By Frederick Walton, 6th North Carolina State Troops Historian

Meet Sergeant John Moore (Not Sergeant Willie Meadows), Company B, 16th North Carolina. 

At least I think it's John Moore, here’s why… 

unidentified Early War Photo, mislabeled as Willie Meadows, Co. B., 6th North Carolina State Troops

 

When I first saw this photo last week it was identified as Sergeant Willie Meadows of Company B, 6th North Carolina State Troops.

(see Sergeant Willie Meadows ?? Company B- “Flat River Guards”).

This didn't seem right to me for several reasons. First the uniform was unlike any I had seen in previous photos of 6th NCST soldiers. Secondly, although he has a “B” on his cap, the letters “MR” below it didn't make sense to me. Company B was known as the “Flat River Guards”. The letters on his cap should be FRG rather than the “MR”. 

Example of Flat River Guards- "FRG" Hat Brass (Corporal Joseph C. Allison, Co B, 6th NCST)

 Most viewers were in agreement that the picture seemed to be an early war photo, but looking up Willie Meadows service record revealed that he didn't make Sergeant until 1864, much too late to be considered an “early war” photo. When expert Bob Williams identified the “MR” as the 6th North Carolina’s Madison Rangers, I was further confused because I didn't think there was any company called the Madison Rangers in the 6TH N. C. 

  I was wrong! 

A little more research revealed that the Madison Rangers was indeed the nickname of the 6th North Carolina’s company B… the 6th North Carolina VOLUNTEERS, that is. They became the 16th North Carolina Troops on November 14, 1861. 

 Now that I established that this was not Willie Meadows, I wondered if there was any way to find out who this young man was. I sought the answer by consulting the roster for Company B, 16th NCT and identifying the Sergeants listed. I reasoned that he had to be one of them. There were only 7 sergeants listed, and four of them were named John, so there is a better than 50 % chance that the guy in the photo is John somebody!

 If we agree that this is an early war photo, we can eliminate three names that didn't become Sergeant until Dec ‘62 or later.

• John W. Randall, 20, Promoted Sgt- 1 May '63 
• John Callahan, 29, Promoted Sgt- 22 Mar '64 
• Zachariah Peek, 25, Promoted 1st Sgt- 12 Dec '62 

The lad in the photo is clearly in his mid 20’s, so that eliminates Sergeant John Brown, age 51. 

 Our sergeant is missing the diamond of a 1st Sergeant, so that eliminates 1st Sergeant Ira J. Profit, age 27. 

 This leaves us with two remaining choices: 

Moore, John A., 1st Lt. 

Resided in Madison County and enlisted at age 25, April 29, 1861. Mustered in as Sergeant and was elected 1st Lt. on or about April 26, 1862. Present or accounted for until killed at Chancellorsville, Va. May 3, 1863. 

 OR 

Dalton, William A., Sergeant

Resided in Madison County where he enlisted on April 29, 1861. Mustered in as Sergeant but was reduced to rank of Corporal in September 1861-Feb 1863. Present or accounted for until captured in unspecified battle. Exchanged at Aiken's Landing, James River, Va., Sept. 7, 1862. Reported AWOL from Nov. 11, 1862 through Aug 31, 1863. Reduced to Ranks prior to Sept 1, 1863. Company records do not indicate whether he ever returned to duty, however he DESERTED to the Yankees prior to March 5, 1865 when he took the Oath of allegiance at Louisville, Kentucky. 

Hero or Traitor? 

 Does the sincere face ln the photo look like a hero or a traitor? No disrespect meant to Sergeant Dalton, but, gee whiz, he seems to have a very spotty service record. Who knows what demons he faced during his service, but....AWOL? Desertion? 

 Whereas Sergeant Moore’s record is exemplary, including the fact that he made the ultimate sacrifice. So wouldn't it be nice to remember him! That’s one reason I choose him. 

 Another reason is simple statistics. When 4 out of 7 sergeants are named John…well you can't go wrong picking John, can you? 

 But the final data has nothing to do with something as arbitrary as personal feelings or as cold as statistics. What if we had a description? William Dalton has one in his compiled service record from his Oath of Allegiance:

   

Complexion: Fair 

Hair: Light 

Eyes: Blue 

Height: 6’ 3”” (Wow! a giant!) 

This doesn’t match our photo at all: 

probably Sergeant John Moore, Co. B, Madison Rangers,
6th North Carolina Volunteers (16th NCT)

   

Complexion: dark (albeit with rosy cheeks) 

Hair: Dark 

Eyes: dark 

Height: guessing about 5’11’’ (based on my height when I hold my sword that way) 

This, then, has to be our guy…we have run out of choices!

So...meet Sergeant…later 1st Lieutenant John Moore...unless you have a better idea?

Is this actually Sergeant Willie Meadows - Company B- "Flat River Guards"

Sergeant Willie Meadows ??
Company B- "Flat River Guards"

Discussion of photograph- Is this REALLY Willie Meadows? I Don't Think So...Here's Why:

Sergeant Willie Meadows or is it? A mislabled Image found on the internet at various sites.
That's weird, if you find it on the internet, it must be true? Right?...

At the time of this writing, this photograph has appeared in several places on the internet, some describing it  as the photo of Sgt. Willie Meadows, a member of the Sixth North Carolina State Troops. To date I have been unable to uncover the provenance that positively links this photo to this soldier, for example through a family members genealogy research. One on-line auction site simply listed it as "Great Silhouetted Ninth Plate Ambrotype Of A Confederate Sergeant In Thermoplastic Case."

According to Uniform expert Bob Williams, this image was once in the collection of William Albaugh and was published in. "Even More Confederate Faces" back in 1983. He is ID'd as belonging to the Madison Rangers, Co. B, 6th NCST.

There are several puzzling things about this photo. First is his forage Cap. It has a metal "B" which would correctly indicate his company, and  below that are what appear to be "M R"...Madison Rangers. 

However that IS the problem. Company B of the 6th North Carolina State Toops was NOT the Madison Rangers, they were known as the "Flat River Guards". There are several well known photographs of their members wearing Hardee hats with the letters "FRG".

Company B of the 6th North Carolina Infantry Volunteers (16th North Carolina Troops) was known as the "Madison Rangers".  "M R" most likely stands for Madison Rangers.

There was indeed a Willie Meadows in Company "B" of the 6th North Carolina State Troops, (see below) but his compiled service records show him as a private and a corporal, through 1864. He is listed as a Sergeant only on the Appomattox Parole listing in April of 1865.

That fact that the Cap has "hat brass" would indicate an early war photo. Veterans learned to remove these "targets" fairly early on. So while this would seem to be an early war photo, Willie Meadows of Company "B", 6th NCST, was not a Sergeant until the late part of the war, and at that late date, it would  be doubtful he had the proper uniform, anyway.

The upside down Sgt. Chevrons are unusual. While the jacket is similar to an early war NC style sack coat (fatigue jacket) it is not the same pattern. There are too many buttons, too close together and the black shoulder patches are going the wrong way, almost like officers shoulder boards.

A quick Google image search of "Civil War Sgt Chevrons" or "Civil War Sgt stripes" shows pages of photos, but none like the Sergeant stripes in this photo, making this pattern a mystery to me. I also scanned through Greg Mast's "State Troops and Volunteers" and did not find a similar uniform jacket or upside down stripes amongst his many photos.

None of the known photographs of 6th North Carolina State Troops soldiers, especially several of the Flat River Guards, resemble this particular uniform.

I reviewed the 6th North Carolina Volunteers, which became the 16th NCT and found no Willie Meadows  on their roster. Additional reseach will be required to find out who the Sergeants of the 16th NCT were.

The etched sword, enhanced in the photo with added gilt, looks more like an officers sword, or maybe even a ceremonial sword. It could possibly be a photo studio prop, but he is wearing what appears to be a metal scabbard on this hip. This may be a little overkill for a prop.

His belt buckle is hidden by the sword, so no clue there and the buttons are obscured by the added gilt. Sadly there is no way to identify this as a North Carolina uniform, much less as Willie Meadows.

If anyone can provide further explanation or provenance, I would love to share it with my readers.

for the rest of the story see: https://6ncst.blogspot.com/2017/07/meet-sergeant-john-moore-not-meadows.html

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Sergeant Willie Meadows  
Company B- "Flat River Guards"

NO KNOWN PHOTO

Resided in: Orange County
Prior Occupation: unknown
Enlisted: May 1, 1861, for the war
Where: Orange County
Age at enlistment: 23
Rank at enlistment: Private
Service Record:

• Note: he is listed as W., Willie, Wilie, and Wiley on the Compiled service records
• Wounded in the leg at Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862.
• Appointed Corporal on April 1, 1863.
• Captured at Fredericksburg, Vir­ginia, May 4, 1863, and confined at Fort Delaware, Delaware, until paroled and exchanged on May 23, 1863.
• Captured at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, November 7, 1863, and confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, until paroled and transferred to Aiken's Landing, James River, Virginia, Sep­tember 18, 1864, for exchange.
• Paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865. Rank given on parole as Sergeant.

 

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Source Notes:

1)  Jordon, "North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865"

2) The National Archives Publication Number: M270; Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of North Carolina; National Archives Catalog ID: 586957; National Archives Catalog Title: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Confederate Organizations , compiled 1903 - 1927, documenting the period 1861 - 1865; Record Group: 109;Roll: 0161; Military Unit: Sixth Infantry, North Carolina; Meadows, Willie

 

Confederates could Whip Germans- The 6th NCST 100 years ago today-

(c) 2017 by Frederick Walton

I was perusing the newspaper this morning…the one for July 3, 1917 that is…100 years ago today. What better way to learn “first hand” the feeling of our country as we made our entry into World War one.

On Tuesday, July 3, 1917, I found the following article on the bottom of page 6, in the Raleigh News and Observer: 

News and Observer, Raleigh, N. C., July 3, 1917 Pg. 6

LYON, WILLIAM HUDSON, Sergeant, Company I, 6th North Carolina State troops

William Hudson Lyon enlisted in Wake County at age 18, May 28, 1861, for the war. He mustered in as Private and was promoted to Sergeant on January 1, 1863. He was present or accounted for until captured at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, on November 7, 1863. He was confined at the infamous Federal prison,  Point Lookout, Maryland, until paroled and transferred to Boulware’s and Cox’s Wharf, James River, Virginia, where he was received February 20-21, 1865, for exchange. He was reported present with a detachment of paroled and exchanged prisoners at Camp Lee, near Richmond, Virginia, February 27, 1865.

W. H. Lyon

The 6th Regiment did serve under Stonewall Jackson for a while in 1863, which would have been a matter of pride for those who served under him. The belt, mentioned would have been part of an NCO’s accoutrments, that is, used to hold his bayonette and cap pouch. Since Lyon enlisted at the very earliest, he would most likely have been issued a coveted 6th NCST belt buckle. These were ordered  by the founding colonel, Charles Frederick Fisher, at their training camp at Company Shops, North Carolina. (present day Burlington, N. C.) 

Colonel Fisher, the former president of the North Carolina Railroad, had these specially cast in the railroad shops for his men. They are the only known Confederate buckles that designate a specific regiment. There were a limited number produced. A weak point in the design were the prongs that secure the buckle to the belt. They were prone to break off making the buckle useless or worse, allowing it to fall off and be lost. Several have been found by metal detectors at campsites or on battlefields, but they are a rare and valuable find. It is no doubt that Lyon coveted and protected his throughout his life. I wonder what became of it? It it in some ancestors attic or proudly on display somewhere in Raleigh?

authentic "dug" 6th North Carolina State Troops Belt Buckle, found at a campsite.

The U. S. army didn’t see fit to recruit Jackson’s aging veterans, but their spirit certainly ran in the blood of that present generation of volunteers and draftees who did go to France and whipped the Germans in 1918.