State-Wide, NC - 28th NC Regiment Account

From The Weekly Standard of Dec. 2, 1863
 
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 28TH REGIMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS
FROM ENTRANCE INTO SERVICE TO OCTOBER 1ST, 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 campaign of the war. The pen of the 
future historian must do it that justice, which for lack of time, space 
and capacity, I am unable to perform.
 
The 28th Regiment North Carolina Troops, organized at Camp Fisher, near 
High Point, North Carolina, on the 21st September 1861, for twelve 
months. LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES H. LANE, on the 1st November was 
elected Colonel; CAPTAIN THOMAS L. LOWE, Lieutenant Colonel, and 
CAPTAIN R. E. REEVES, 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 command 
of LT. COL. LOWE was transported to Wilmington, North Carolina, at 
which city it arrived on the 1st October, went into camp near the city 
on the Goldsboro Railroad, 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 a 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, reorganized for three years or the war in 
February, 1862. 
 
Newbern was attacked, and the 28th Regiment was ordered to that point. 
LT. COL. LOWE in command, embarked his men on the train, the 13th of 
March, 1862, and reached Newbern the 14th, only in time to assist in 
covering the rear of our discomfited troops. He, with GEN. BRANCH'S 
brigade, then fell back to Kinston, N. C. Whilst in this vicinity the 
28th Regiment became a part of GEN BRANCH'S Brigade.
 
On the 12th April, 1862, the regiment reorganized for the war, and 
having received many recruits it was about 1250 strong. COL. LANE and 
LT. COL. LOWE were reelected to their former positions by acclamation, 
and CAPT. SAM. D. LOWE of Company C, was elected and 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, Va. the 6th, where it did picket duty. The Regiment then 
returned to Gordonsville, the 15th and through Madison, several miles 
about that place, on the Robinson as was the report to join Gen. 
EWELL, then at New Market in the Valley. An order recalled the brigade 
to Hanover where the 28th fought the first battle on the 27th May, 
1862, with heavy loss. The regiment here was cut off from the brigade 
and was engaged with Gens. 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. 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 day it 
fought at Mechanicsville, on the 28th, at Cold Harbor on the 30th, at 
Frazier's Farm and at Malvern Hill on the 1st July, 1862.
 
After these exhausting battles, the troops were allowed a short time of 
rest; the 28th, with the other regiments of the brigade going into 
camp below Richmond, till 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, 9th August. On the 20th August the 
brigade, now in command of the immortal JACKSON, whom it followed the 
remainder of the hero's life, began the famous march to POPE'S rear, 
encountering 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 COL. LANE, whose cool courage on 
all occasions is proverbial with the brigade.
 
After the battle of 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, Md., the 6th, then turned across the 
Blue Ridge, recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport on the 11th September 
and formed in the line investing Harper's Ferry on the 13th --
participated in the capture of the 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 of the brigade after the fall of GEN. BRANCH. As our 
army fell back, the 28th Regiment 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 
20th which drove the enemy's troops which had followed our army to the 
South bank, back into the Potomac Branch's brigade (at and after the 
battle of Sharpsburg, commanded by COL. LANE) was quiet in camp near 
Bunker Hill, Va.; after the Maryland campaign its numbers very much 
reduced, the campaign, its numbers very much reduced, the 28th Regiment 
numbering 150 men until the 15th October when the command was ordered 
to move up to Heagersville and destroy the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, 
which was most effectually done, after which the brigade returned to 
Bunker Hill the 22nd Oct. Various moves were made near Charlestown and 
Snicker's Gap and Camp Lee, near Winchester, and on the 22nd Nov. 1862 
the brigade commanded by GEN. LOVE (COL 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 of 
the 13th Dec. 1862, the 28th regiment fought nobly and suffered 
severely. The army immediately went into winter quarters after this 
victory, GEN. LANE'S Brigade at Camp Gregg, 10 miles below 
Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock.
 
The winter passed. The 29th of April, 1863, found the brigade marching 
to Chancellorsville to a victory which the 28th regiment contributed 
largely to win, on the 3rd May, losing more heavily than ever in any 
battle before in killed and wounded. This done, it was marched back to 
Camp Gregg and there remained till the 5th June 1863. Then the regiment 
left the old camp for a destination which proved to be Gettysburg, Pa. 
Crossing the Potomac for the 5th time at Shepardstown the 25th of June, 
reached Gettysburg the lst July and was precipitated upon the heights 
which rendered the Yankee General's position impregnable, losing about 
two-thirds of the entire regiment in killed and wounded. This fierce 
and desperate, but unfortunate charge, was on memorable (to North 
Carolinians) 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 of July. Without any occurrence of striking 
importance after the date of these above recorded, the regiment found 
itself encamped at "Liberty Mills" near Orange, Va. on the lst day of 
October 1863, at which time this record ceases to correspond with the 
"Roll." The muster rolls of the regiment footed up at that date 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 services it 
has enduring in this stupendous war. Forced marches, short rations, 
often no rations for days together, marching over roads knee deep in 
mud, wading rivers to the armpits, lying in line of battle in snow, 
rain and hail -- add to this the sudden death of best friends, brothers 
fallen by your side in the strife of deadly conflict -- all for the 
boon of Liberty, and then a faint idea only is given 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 regiment -- a statement of which loss, in every battle, 
will be appended to the accompanying "Roll." About 50 conscripts have 
been enrolled in the regiment.
                               Very respectfully submitted
                                       SAM D. LOVE
                                Colonel 28th North Carolina Troops
 
JAMES H. LANE, COLONEL, aged 28 years, volunteering April 28th, 1861, 
from Charlotte, N. C. He was commissioned Colonel in this Regiment 
Sept. 21st, 1861. He was wounded at the Battles of Frazier's Farm and 
Cold Harbor; was in the battles of Big Bethel, Hanover, Mechanicsville, 
Cold Harbor, Frazier's Farm, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Warrenton 
Springs, Manassas Junction, Manassas Plains, Ox Hill, Harper's Ferry, 
Sharpsburg and Sheppardstown, 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 Nov. 1st, 1862, as Brigadier General.
 
THOMAS L. LOWE, CAPTAIN, aged 31 years, volunteered Aug. 3rd, 1863, 
from Catawba County, N. C. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the 
28th Regiment Sept 21, 1861; was in command of the regiment in the 
retreat from Newbern; was in the battle of Hanover, died of fever, June 
10th, 1862.
 
R.E. REEVES, CAPTAIN, aged 40 years, volunteered May, 1861, from Surry 
County, N. C. He was promoted to Major in the 28th Regiment Sept. 21st, 
1861, was defeated on the reorganization of the regiment.
 
GEORGE S. THOMPSON, PRIVATE, aged 26 years volunteered Sept 2nd, 1861, 
from Orange County, N. C. He was made Captain and Quarter Master in the 
28th Regiment Oct. 18th 1861; was promoted to Major and Brigade Quarter 
Master, January 23rd, 1863; he is a good and efficient officer, 
exceedingly fond of living.
 
NICHOLAS GIBBON, CADET, volunteered April, 1861, from Charlotte, N. C. 
He was promoted Captain and Commissary of the regiment September 21st, 
1861. He was a good officer, faithful in the discharge of his duties.
 
ROBERT GIBBON, SURGEON, volunteered April 1861 from Charlotte, N. C. He 
was made Surgeon in the 28th Regiment September 29th, 1861. He is 
Brigade Surgeon, and stands high as any man of his profession in the 
army.
 
F. LUCKEY, ASSISTANT SURGEON, volunteered September 25th 1861 from 
Rowan County, N. C. He was made a full Surgeon February, 1862.
 
DR. COX, ASSISTANT SURGEON, volunteered March 1862. He was with the 
regiment but a short time.
 
REV. O. J. BRENT, CHAPLIN, volunteered November, 1861, from High Point, 
N. C. He left the regiment in July, 1862.
 
JOHN ABERNATHY, CADET, volunteered April, 1861, from Charlotte, N. C. 
He was made Hospital Standard in January 1862, where he was a faithful 
officer; was taken prisoner at the battle of Hanover, where he acted 
gallantly. After his exchange, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant August 
8th, 1863.
 
D. K. MCRAE, LIEUTENANT, volunteered July, 1861, from Montgomery 
County. He was made Adjutant of the 28th Regiment October 18th, 1861; 
was in a few battles. Resigned in February, 1863.
 
M. A. LOWE, PRIVATE, aged 19 years, volunteered Aug. 13th, 1863; was in 
the Hanover Battle, all the battles around Richmond, Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
 
EDMUND MOORE, SERGEANT, aged 28 years, volunteered July 19th, 1863 from 
Stanley County, N. C. He was made Q.M. Sergeant, June 1862, and 
promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, March, 1863; he was in the Hanover, 
Chancellorsville and Gettysbury battles, where he was severely 
wounded.
 
J. C. KELLY, SERGEANT, aged 44 years, volunteered May 1861 from Yadkin 
County, N. C.; was made Q. M. Sergeant October 18th 1861.
 
W. A. MANNEY, PRIVATE, aged 19 years, volunteered August 6th, 1861, 
from Gaston County, N. C.; was made Commissary Sergeant October 18th, 
1863.
 
SAM D. LOWE, LIEUTENANT, aged 29 years, volunteered August 13th, 
1861 from Lincoln County. He was promoted to Major on the reorganization 
of the regiment 12th April, 1862; was taken prisoner at the battle of 
Hanover; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, June 11th, 1862; was made 
Colonel Nov. 1, 1862; was in the Hanover battle, Fredericksburg battles;
Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he was wounded. He is a kind 
officer to his men and a gallant one on the field. Stands high in the army.
 
W. J. MONTGOMERY, CAPTAIN, aged 30 years, volunteered July, 1861, from 
Stanley County, N. C. He was promoted to Major, June 11th, 1862, and to 
LT. COLONEL some time after that; he resigned Oct. 1862; he was in the 
battles of Hanover, Cedar Run and Gettysburg.
 
W. D. BARRINGER, CAPTAIN, volunteered July 6th, 1861. He was promoted 
to Major in October, 1862; was made Lt. Colonel Nov. 1, 1862; Resigned 
March 11th, 1863. He was a gallant officer, was in the Hanover battle, 
first Fredericksburg, where he was taken prisoner and paroled.
 
W.H.A. SPEER, CAPTAIN, aged 30 years, volunteered Aug. 1th, 1861 from 
Yadkin County, N. C. He was promoted to Major, Nov. 1, 1862; was 
promoted Lt. Col. March 11, 1863; was taken prisoner at the battle of 
Hanover; exchanged in Sept, 1862; was wounded slightly at the battles 
of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; was in the battles of Hanover, the 
battles of Fredericksburg, Hagerstown and Falling Waters, Dam No. 4; 
has been in command of the regiment over half of the time since his 
promotion to Major; good disciplinarian; beloved by all his command and 
North Carolina has no truer son in the service.
 
S.N. STONE, LIEUTENANT, aged 38 years, volunteered July 30th, 1861, 
from Gaston County, N. C. He was promoted to Captain Feb. 28th, 1862 at 
Wilmington; promoted Major 11th April 1863 for gallant conduct at 
Fredericksburg; was taken prisoner at Hanover, exchanged in September, 
1863, wounded at Gettysburg; was in the battles of Hanover, 
Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. He is a gallant and true man, liked by 
all who know him.
 
R. S. FOLGER, PRIVATE, aged 20 years, volunteered May 4, 1861, from 
Surry County, N. C. He was promoted Lieutenant 22, Sept., 1861, was 
defeated on reorganization of the company; promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 
5th Nov. 1862 and then was promoted to Adjutant, 7th January 1863, in 
the Regiment; he was wounded at Gettysburg; was in battles of 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, and 
Hagerstown. He is a gallant man, an efficient and good officer.
 
DR. T. B. LANE, ASSISTANT SURGEON, volunteered June 25, 1862 from 
Virginia. He was promoted Surgeon March 19, 1862 and assigned to the 
18th Regiment North Carolina Troops; he is a good officer and attentive 
to his post.
 
DR. M. L. MAYOR, ASSISTANT SURGEON, volunteered April 2, 1862 from 
Virginia. He was assigned this regiment May 8th, 1863, is a good 
officer and attentive to his post.
 
REV. M.F. KINEDY, CHAPLIN, volunteered Dec. 6th, 1862 from Charlotte, 
N. C. He is a good man, faithful to his trust, and ever watchful of the 
great cause which is to him entrusted.
 
J. F. LOWE, PRIVATE, aged 25 years, volunteered Dec. 1st, 1862 from 
Charlotte, N. C. He was promoted to Sergeant Major Dec. 6, 1862 and was 
killed at Fredericksburg Dec. 13, 1862; he was a brave, good man.
 
D. B. SMITH, PRIVATE, aged 25 years, volunteered July 31st from Gaston 
County, N. C. He was promoted Lieutenant in August 1861; was defeated
at the reorganization of his company; made Sergeant Major in the
regiment in January 1863, promoted Lieutenant in March 1863; was in the 
battles of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.
 
W. R. RANKIN, CAPTAIN, aged 35 years, volunteered Oct. 6, 1861 from 
Gaston County, N. C. He was promoted in April 1862, in the 37th 
Regiment North Carolina to Major; was defeated in the reorganization of
the regiment; joined the 28th on April 1863, as a private; was made 
Sergeant Major 25th April, 1863; was in battles of Newbern, 
Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg where he was wounded. He is a good 
officer.
 
L. J. BARKER, PRIVATE, aged 18 years, volunteered Aug. 13th, 1863 from 
Yadkin, N. C. He was promoted to Sergeant; was taken prisoner at 
Hanover, exchanged in August 1862; was made Hospital Steward Nov. 2nd, 
1862 and is attentive to his patients.
 
GABRIEL JOHNSTON, PRIVATE, aged 19 years, volunteered Sept. 2, 1861, 
from Orange County, N. C. He was made Ordinance Sergeant 9th December 
1861, where he discharged his duties well as an officer.
 
The regiment has had one hundred and thirty killed on the field and 535 
wounded besides several who are missing and never have been accounted 
for.

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