History Of The 28th NC Regiment

History Of The 28th NC Regiment

These pages are dedicated to the memory of all the men from North Carolina that fought in the Civil War.

HISTORY OF THE 28TH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT
1861-1863

North Carolina Standard
Raleigh
December 2, 1863

In writing this short history, it is not intended to go into an extended notice of the
prominent part this fine regiment has borne in the most glorious and most bloody
campaigns of the war. The pen of the future historian will do it that justice which
for lack of time and space and capacity I am not able to perform.

The 28th North Carolina Regiment was organized by Captain Fisher near High
Point, North Carolina on the 21st September, 1861 for twelve months. Lt. Colonel
James H. Lane on the 1st November was elected Colonel; Captain Thomas J. Lowe
was elected Lieutenant Colonel; and Captain R.E. Reeves was elected Major.
The regiment numbered about 900 men at the time of its organization.

On the 30th September, the regiment left its first camp and under the command
of Lt. Col. Lowe was transported to Wilmington, N.C. at which city it arrived on
the 1st October and went into camp near the city on the Goldsboro Road and was
incorporated into Brigadier General Joseph R. Anderson’s command. Col. Lane
arrived on the 1st October and took command of the regiment. Here the men built
a handsome barracks and here they underwent the drill and discipline that was
necessary to prepare them for more active service. Here the regiment did post
duty and guarded the railroad bridges to the Virginia line. At this camp, seven
companies of ten were re-organized for three years, or the war.

In February of 1862, Newbern was attacked and on the 28th the Regiment was
ordered to that point. Lt. Col. Lowe in command, embarked his men on the train
on the 13th March, 1862 and reached Newbern on the 14th March only in time
to assist in covering the rear of our discomfited troops. He, with General Branch’s
brigade, then fell back to Kinston, N.C. While in this vicinity, the 28th Regiment
became a part of General Branch’s brigade.

On the 12th April, 1862, the regiment re-organized for the war and having received
many recruits, it was about 1250 strong. Colonel Lane and Lt. Colonel Lowe were
re-elected to their former positions by acclamation and Captain Sam D. Lowe of
Company C was elected Major.

Branch’s Brigade was ordered to Virginia. The 28th Regiment took the cars at
Kinston on the 2nd May with 1199 men for duty and arrived at Rapidan Station,
Virginia, on the 6th where it did picket duty. The regiment then returned to
Gordonsville on the 15th and marched through Madison C.H. several miles above
that place on the Robinson River, as was the report, to join General Ewell, then at
New Market in the Valley.

An order recalled the brigade to Hanover Court House where the 28th Regiment
fought its first battle on the 27th May, 1862 with heavy loss. The regiment was
cut off from the brigade and was engaged with General Martindale’s and Butterfield’s
brigades for over four hours, inflicting greater loss than it did receive, executing
one of the most difficult retreats of the war.

Here began a series of engagements in which this command bore an active part.
After a short respite it opened the battles in front of Richmond, it being the first
brigade to cross the Chickahominy on the 26th June on which date it fought at
Mechanicsville; on the 28th at Cold Harbor; and on the 30th at Frazier’s Farm;
and on the 1st July at Malvern Hill.

After these exhausting battles, the troops were allowed a short time to rest; the
28th, with other regiments of the brigade going into camp below Richmond until
the 29th July when it took up the line of march which ended in the Cedar Run
Battle—the regiment bearing a conspicuous part in the action on the 9th August.

On the 20th August, the brigade, now in the command of the immortal Jackson,
whom it followed the remainder of the hero’s life, began the famous march to
Pope’s rear, encountering a heavy shelling at Warrenton Springs the 24th
August and meeting the enemy at Manassas Junction on the 27th August, had
a short fight at that place; on the 28th, 29th, and 30th at Manassas Plains and
at Ox Hill on the 1st September—the 28th Regiment fought in all these battles
led in each of them by Colonel Lane, whose cool courage on all occasions is
proverbial with the brigade.

After the battle at Ox Hill, the troops moved towards the Potomac. The 28th
Regiment crossed at Edward’s Ferry on the Potomac River on the 5th September,
marched to Frederick, Maryland on the 6th, then turned across the Blue Ridge,
re-crossed the Potomac at Williamsport on the 11th September and formed in
line of battle, investing Harper’s Ferry on the 13th -- participated in the capture
of that place on the 15th September, crossed into Maryland a second time at
Shepardstown on the 17th and took an active part in the Battle of Sharpsburg
the same day.

Major Montgomery was in command at Sharpsburg, Colonel Lane being in
command of the brigade after the fall of General Branch. As our army fell back,
the 28th re-crossed the Potomac on the 19th September at Shepardstown,
forming a part of the rear guard of the entire Army of Northern Virginia and was
in the gallant charge on the 10th which drove the enemy’s troops which had
followed our army to the South Branch bank of the Potomac.

Branch’s brigade (at and after the Battle of Sharpsburg commanded by
Colonel Lane) was in camp at Bunker Hill, Virginia; after the Maryland
campaign, its number very much reduced, the 28th Regiment numbered 150
men until the 15th October when the command was ordered to move up to
Habersville and destroy the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad which was most
effectively done, after which the brigade returned to Bunker Hill on the 22nd
October.

Various moves were made near Charlestown and Snicker’s Gap and Camp
Lee near Winchester and on the 22nd November, 1862 the brigade, commanded
by General Lane (Colonel Lane had been promoted to Brigadier General),
commenced the long march to Fredericksburg and arrived in time to meet
Burnside at that town. In the great battle on the 13th December, 1862, the
28th Regiment fought nobly and suffered severely.

The army immediately went into winter quarters after this victory and General
Lane’s brigade was at Camp Gregg, ten miles below Fredericksburg on the
Rappahannock.

The winter passed. On the 29th April, 1863, the brigade marched to
Chancellorsville to victory which the 28th N.C.T. contributed largely to win,
on the 3rd May, losing more heavily than in any other battle before in killed
and wounded. This done, it was marched back to Camp Gregg and remained
there till the 5th June, 1863. Then the regiment left the old camp for what
proved to be the battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The regiment crossed the Potomac five times, at Shepardstown on the 25th
June and we reached Gettysburg on the 1st July and were precipitated upon
the heights which rendered the Yankee position impregnable, losing about 2/3
of the entire regiment in killed and wounded. This fierce and desperate, but
unfortunate charge was made on the memorable day (to North Carolina)
3rd July, 1863.

In the retreat, the regiment was engaged in several skirmishes at Hagerstown and
Falling Waters at which point it was the last organized body of troops to cross the
Potomac into Virginia on the 14th July.

Without any occurrence of striking importance after the date of those recorded
above, the regiment found itself camped at “Liberty Mills” near Orange Court
House, Virginia on the 1st November at which time the record ceases to
correspond with the “Roll”. The muster of the regiment footed up at that time
an aggregate of about 800.

These notes, though supposed to be accurate, very imperfectly express the
sufferings of the regiment and the immense value of the service it has endured in
this stupendous war. Forced marches, marching over roads knee deep in mud,
wading rivers to the arm pits, lying in lines of battle in snow, rain and hail—added
to this the sudden death of best friends, brothers fallen by your side in the strife
of the deadly conflict—all for the boon of liberty and then a faint idea only shall
give you of the hardships, privations, bereavements and services suffered and
endured by this veteran regiment.

Volunteer recruits have partially made up the heavy losses of the regiments—a
statement of which loss in every battle will be appended to the accompanying
“roll”. About fifty conscripts are enrolled in the regiment.

Very Respectfully Submitted
Sam D. Lowe
Colonel, 28th Regiment, N.C.T.

Died and Killed in Battle: 439
Discharged: 129
Deserted: 80
Missing: 30
Dropped from the Rolls: 4
Cashiered: 1
Transferred: 9
Rejected: 1
Resigned: 12
Not Elected: 17
Dismissed: 1
Total: 723

James H. Lane, Colonel, volunteered on the 28th April, 1861 from Charlotte, N.C.
He was commissioned Colonel in the regiment on September 21, 1861. He was
wounded at the battle of Frazier’s Farm and Cold Harbor; was in the battles of
Big Bethel, Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Cold harbor, Frazier’s Farm,
Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Warrenton Springs, Manassas Junction, Manassas
Plains, Ox Hill, Harper’s Ferry, Sharpsburg and Shepardstown. He took command
of the brigade after the fall of General Branch and for his good discipline, gallantry
and soldier like conduct through all the campaign he was promoted to the
command of the brigade on November 1, 1962 as Brigadier General.

Thomas L. Lowe, Captain, 31, volunteered on August 3, 1861 from Catawba Co.,
N.C. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel, 28th Regiment on September 21,
1861; was in command of the regiment in the retreat from Newbern; was in the
battles at Hanover Court House and died of fever on June 10, 1862.

R.E. Reeves, Captain, 40, volunteered in May of 1861 from Surry Co., N.C.
He was promoted to major of the 28th Regiment on Sept. 21, 1861; he was
defeated on the re-organization of the regiment.

George S. Thompson, Private, 26, volunteered on Sept. 2, 1861 from Orange
Co., N.C. He was made captain and quartermaster of the 28th Regiment on
October 18, 1861; was promoted to major and brigade quartermaster on Jan.
23, 1863; he is a good and efficient officer, exceedingly fond of good living.

Nicholas Griffin volunteered in April of 1861 from Charlotte, N.C. He was
promoted captain and commissary of the regiment on Sept. 21, 1861. He
was a good officer, faithful in the discharge of his duties.

Robert Gibbon, surgeon, volunteered in April of 1861 from Charlotte, N.C.
He was made surgeon of the 28th Regiment on September 25, 1861. He
is the brigade surgeon and stands as high as any man of his profession in
the army.

F. Luckey, assistant surgeon, volunteered on Sept. 25, 1861 from Rowan Co.,
N.C. He was made full surgeon on February of 1862.

Dr. Cox, assistant surgeon, volunteered in March of 1862. He was with the
regiment but a short time.

Dr. W.K. Barhum, assistant surgeon, volunteered in April of 1862. He was with
the regiment but a short time.

Rev. O.J. Brent, captain, volunteered in November of 1861 from High Point, N.C.
He left the regiment in July of 1862.

John Abernathy, cadet, volunteered in April of 1861 from Charlotte. He was
made hospital steward in January of 1862 where he was a faithful officer.
He was taken prisoner at the battle of Hanover Court House where he acted
gallantly. After his exchange, he was promoted to first lieutenant on August 8, 1863.

D. K. McRae, lieutenant, volunteered in July of 1861 from Montgomery County.
He was made adjutant of the 28th Regiment on October 18, 1861 and was in
a few battles. He resigned in February of 1863.

M.A. Lowe, private, 19, volunteered on Aug. 13, 1861 from Lincoln County, N.C.
He was made sergeant major on Oct. 18, 1861 where he discharged his duties
well and was promoted to first lieutenant on August 3, 1863; was in the Hanover
battle, all the battles around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg.

Edmund Moore, sergeant, 28, volunteered on July 29, 1861 from Stanly County,
N.C. He was made quartermaster in June of 1862 and was promoted to second
lieutenant in March of 1863; was in the Hanover, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
battles where he was severely wounded.

J.C. Kelly, sergeant, 44, volunteered in May of 1861 from Yadkin Co., N.C. He
was made quartermaster sergeant on October 18, 1861.

W.A. Manney, private, 19, volunteered on Aug. 6, 1861 from Gaston Co., N.C.
He was made commissary sergeant on October 10, 1863.

Sam D. Lowe, lieutenant, 20, volunteered on Aug. 13, 1861 from Lincoln Co., N.C.
He was promoted to major on the re-organization of the regiment on April 12, 1862
and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Hanover Court House; was promoted to
lieutenant colonel on June 11, 1862; was made colonel on November 1, 1862; was
in the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he was
wounded. He was a kind officer to his men and a gallant one on the field.
He stands high in the army.

W.J. Montgomery, captain, 30, volunteered in July of 1861 from Stanly County,
N.C. He was promoted to major on June 11, 1862 and to lieutenant colonel
some time after that; he resigned in October of 1862; he was in the battles of
Hanover Court House, Cedar Run and Gettysburg.

W.D. Barringer, captain, volunteered on July 6 (no year given) from Montgomery
Co., N.C. He was promoted to major in October of 1862; was made lieutenant
colonel on November 1, 1862; resigned March 11, 1863. He was a gallant officer;
was in the Hanover battle, 1st Fredericksburg, where he was taken prisoner and
paroled.

W.H.A. Speer, captain, 30, volunteered on Aug. 13, 1861 from Yadkin Co., N.C.
He was promoted to major on November 1, 1862; was promoted to lieutenant
colonel on March 11, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle at Hanover Court House;
exchanged in September of 1862; was wounded slightly at the battle of
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; he was in the battles at Hanover Court
House, Fredericksburg, Hagerstown, and Falling Water Dam #4; has been in
command of the regiment over half of the time since his promotion to major;
he is a good disciplinarian; beloved by all his command. North Carolina has no
truer son in the army.

S.N. Stone, lieutenant, 38, volunteered on July 30, 1861 from Gaston Co., N.C.;
promoted to captain on Feb. 28, 1862 at Wilmington; promoted to major on
April 11, 1862 for gallant conduct at Fredericksburg; taken prisoner at Hanover
Court House, exchanged September, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg; was in the
battles at Hanover, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He is a gallant and true
man liked by all who know him.

R.S. Folger, private, 20, volunteered may 4, 1861 from Surry Co., N.C. He
was promoted to lieutenant on Sept. 22, 1861; was defeated in the re-organization
of the company. He was promoted to second lieutenant on Nov. 5, 1862 and
was promoted to adjutant on Jan. 7, 1863 in the regiment; wounded at Gettysburg;
was the in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Falling
Waters and Hagerstown. He is a gallant man and an efficient and good officer.

Dr. T.B. Lane, assistant surgeon, volunteered on June 25, 1862 from Virginia,
was promoted to surgeon on march 19, 1862 and assigned to the 28th
Regiment N.C.T; he is a good officer and attends to his post.

Dr. M.L. Mayor, assistant surgeon, volunteered April 2, 1862 from Virginia.
He was assigned to this regiment on May 8, 1863; he is a good officer and
attends to his post.

Rev. M.F. Kenedy, chaplain, volunteered in 1862 from Charlotte Co., N.C.
He is a good man, faithful to his trust and ever watchful of the good cause
which is to him entrusted.

J.F. Lowe, private, 25, volunteered Dec. 1, 1862 from Charlotte; promoted
to sergeant major on Dec. 6, 1862 and was killed at Fredericksburg on Dec.
13, 1862; he was a strong, brave, good man.

D.B. Smith, private, 25, volunteered July 31, 1862 from Gaston County.
He was made a lieutenant in August of 1861 and was defeated in the re-organization
of his company; made major of the regiment in January of 1863; promoted to
lieutenant in March of 1863; was in the battles of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.

W.R. Rankin, captain, 38, volunteered on Oct. 6, 1861 from Gaston, N.C.
He was promoted in April of 1862 in the 37th Regiment N.C.T. to major;
was defeated in the re-organization of the regiment; joined the 28th in April
of 1863 as a private; was made sergeant major in April of 1863; was in the
battles of Newbern, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he was wounded.
He is a good officer.

L.J. Barker, private, 18, volunteered August 13, 1861 from Yadkin Co., N.C.
He was promoted to sergeant; was in the battle of Hanover Court House; was
taken prisoner at Hanover and exchanged in August of 1862; was made hospital
steward November 2, 1862 and is attending to his post.

Gabriel Johnston, private, 19, volunteered Sept. 2, 1861 from Orange Co.,
N.C. He was made ordinance sergeant on Dec. 9, 1861 where he has discharged
his duties well as an officer.

ADDENDUM TO 28TH REGIMENT

North Carolina Standard
Raleigh
December 24, 1862

Camp of the 28th Regiment near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 5

Mr. Editor:

I send you a list of casualties from Company I, 28th Regiment which you will please put in your
paper. It is complete from the time the company entered service on 8-13(?)-61. The company
has been in 25 engagements including the skirmishes and under the fire of artillery.

Died, at Wilmington of fever, D.D. Headsmeith, October 30, 1861; S.W. Pendry, 11-5-61; Corp.
L.A. Williams, 12-18-61; Pte. R.B. Pendry, 2-4-62; W.D. Fletcher, 3-30-62.

L.D. Hedspeth was wounded at the Battle of Hanover Court House on May 27, 1862.

S. W. Jenings(?) died at Governor’s Island, N.Y., a prisoner, 6-28-62.

Killed before Richmond: Ptes. Robert Brown, 6-27-62; G.W. Atwood, 6-27-62; A.N. Dull(?) Ball(?),
6-28-62; Sgt. W.D. Ferris, 6-28-62; Pte. G.B.(?) McBride, 6-30-62; William Nichols, 6-30-62

Wounded before Richmond: Ptes. Isaac Moore, 6-27-62; L.M. Swain, 6-27-62, in two places;
Leroy Holcomb, 6-27-62; S.W. Young, 6-27-62; Lewis Shores, 6-30(?)-62; Pleasant Baity(?),
6-30-62; L. Scott, 6-30-62.

James Hedspeth died at home of disease September 6

Richard Melton at New York, a prisoner, Aug. 9

John Mock(?), at Richmond, of disease, 8-11-62

Pte. Jesse Draper died at Richmond of fever June 30.

F.M. Woodhouse(?) died at Richmond of fever August 4.

Corp. Alex Shores was killed at the Battle of Bull Run Aug. 28

Pte. Anderson Shores was killed at the Battle of Bull Run Aug. 28.

Corp. L.W. Macy was wounded at the Rappahannock Aug. 24.

Pte. M.T. Armstrong was wounded at Bull Run August 29.

Sgt. D.C. Casey(?) was wounded at Bull Run August 29.

Privates:
Mark Brindle(?) Bradie(?) wounded at Bull run Aug. 28 in two places

S.H. Brown was wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29 severely

T.A. Smith was wounded at Fairfax Sept. 1 severely

G.B. Harding was wounded at Fairfax Sept. 1 severely

Sgt. A.R. Joyce was wounded at Fairfax Sept. 1 severely

Privates:

C.(?) M. Holcomb was wounded at Fairfax severely Sept. 1

Joseph Farris wounded mortally at Sharpsburg Sept. 18

Sgt. A.R. Joyce was wounded at Shepherdstown Sept. 2(?)

Privates:

L.M. Swann wounded at Shepherdstown Sept. 2(?)

Martin(?) Yestal, wounded at Shepherdstown Sept. 2(?).

W.W. Barry(?) died at Winchester of fever Nov. 2.

Lt. Fed(?) Long was mortally wounded at Shepherdstown Sept. 2

W.H. Speer
Major, 28th N.C. Regiment

Transcribed by Christine Spencer, April & July 2007