Letters to General Lane, 1881
re:  History of Lane's Brigade

Letters re: 7th Regiment, NCT

Harris to Lane, April 1881, re: 7th NCT

I write so badly I have had our [ ] to copy names for me so you will be able to read them

Dear Gen'l

I am really ashamed of myself for not writting you before, but as I stated in a postal to you I was at the time your letter [reached] me, many goods, and trade got pretty brisk which prevented me from thinking the matter over. This list I have given entirely from memory, but I think is correct. Mr. Alexander request me to say that he does not remember any thing about his [regt.] at all. That names and positions occupied by but very few of the officers. He has been so intent on money making ever since the war that he has dismissted every thing from his mind which does not have something to do with his business. He remembers you most kindly however & often speaks in the highest terms of you, having always regarded you as his friend in the Army. Assuring you of his highest regards - I am most truly your friend

J.G. Harris

R.P. Campbell, Colonel: Killed at Gain's Mill June 30th 1862

Ed. G. Haywood, Lt. Colonel: Made Col. after Campbell's death.

Ed. D. Hall, Major: promoted to the 46th Regmt I think.

J. L. Hill succeeded Hall as Major and made Lt. Col. after death of Col Campbell. Hill was killed at battle of Chancellorsville.

Robt S. Young made major after promotion of Hill to Lt. Colonelcy, and afterwards retired.

Robt. B. McRea succeeded Young - wounded at the 2nd battle of Mannassas, which forced him to retire.

Wm Lee Davidson succeeded McRea as Major, and Lt. Col. Hill as Lt. Col. after Hill's death at Chancellorsville.

J. McLeod Turner, succeeded Davidson as Maj

Haywood afterwards retired, Davidson succeeded him as Col.,

J.M. Turner, Lt. Col,

J.G. Harris Major - the latter being the field officers of the Regmt when the war closed.

W.M. Campbell, Surgeon
Wm E. White, Assist Surgeon
A.W. Wiseman, Assist Surgeon
J. R. Fraley, Assist Surgeon

Haywood to Lane, re: 7th NCT

Dear Sir:

I have not answered yrs. of the 28th ult. before, because I do not know what Cunningham's name was, and I have been unable to find anyone who did know. By searching among my old letters in 1861- I have succeeded in finding one from him which is subscribed "J.P. Cunningham." Even now I am uncertain what the first initial is a contraction for. I think it is John, and I am ingnorant what P. stands for.

Adjutant Smede's name was Ives Smedes: named after the former Prot. Epis. Bishop of N.C. of that name. I regret my inability to give you more certain information as to Cunningham-and, under the circumstances you will pardon my delay in responding to your inquiries.

Yr. obdt. servt.
Ed. Graham Haywood

Undated pencilled note to Lane re: 7th NCT

Letters re: 18th Regiment NCT

McLaurin to Lane, April 13, 1881

Genl,
Yrs 10th recd yesterday.  Will give you every assistance that I can in getting up the roster of 18th NC Regt. Your list is nearly correct & I hope to be able to supply the omissions which I may be able to do when I can see Maj TJ Wooten who lives near me.

When Col RH Cowan resigned about Nov/62 near BunkerHill Capt RM DeVane was announced Maj. under orders from [    ]  [Seddon] to fill vacancies & [so acted] till he was retired being disabled by wounds recd at Hanover. His retirement made Capt JD Barry Maj.  On 3rd May following Col TJ [Purdie] was killed & Lt Col [Forney] George slightly wounded in head.  Col. George had a few days before the fight received his certificate of election to the N.C. Legislature & resigned.

This made Maj Barry Col   Capt JW McGill  Lt Col & Capt Thos J Wooten Maj. in which position they remained till a few days before the evacuation of Petersburgh when Col Barry was retired on acct of wound

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in hand disabling him & Lt Col McGill resigned

Maj TJ Wooten was in command of Brigade & I think Division Sharpshooters & the Regt was surrendered by Capt John J [Poisson]. Myers, Watters & myself were the only Adjts of the Regt, I am not positive,but almost so, that Saml B Watters was his name.  He resigned after the Shepherdstown fight, and I was appointed by Col Cowan, his successor & held the position till Appomattox "dissolved the band."

About the time that Dr Miller left there was a Dr Higginbotham acting as Brig Surgeon & the Brig [Sgn] returning he was put with the 18th & was with us when [when] Dr Tyler came.  I think his name was John Tyler.  I was not as much impressed with his name as with the fact that he was the son of Presdt Tyler.  Tyler was succeeded by Thos B Lane who was with us at the close.  In the beginning we had two Asst Surgeons who were Charles [Lessesue] & Simpson Russ.  When but one was allowed Russ was assigned to an Ala or Va regt the latter perhaps, and [Lessesue] being soon promoted Surgeon was succeeded by Dr William Brown, who left us after the Harpers Ferry Campaign.  He was succeeded by [Alvn] Gordon, that compound of wonders.

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After Gordon there was an interim that is not now clear to me.  It is my impression that Tyler & Gordon left us & that our sick were attended to by Asst Sgs Lane & [Vigal] alternately, till Lane took us regularly in charge & was afterward promoted Surgeon.

We were then without an Asst Surgeon until Dr Russ was a second time assigned to the 18th whilst we were at Liberty Mills.  It may be that Higginbotham was not really assigned to us, but [tenting] with us whilst Brig Sgn that gets him mixed in.

AD [Cazam] was our only Q Master & Duncan M [Neill] & Robt Tait our only [Commys] Rev [Colan] Shaw was the only Chaplain that remained any time with us. There were a half dozen or more that would stay a week or two, but none werepermanently located

When Pender was made Maj Genl, Did he not bring Dr Holt in as Div Sgn? Think he was a particular friend of his & procured his transfer.  Dr. Daniel M Graham who is near Goldsboro & was Asst Sgn in the Brigade could give you more information in the medical line than any one I know of, in fact I dont know the location of any of the other MD.s

Maj Thos H MKoy of Wilmington perhaps could name

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Tyler correctly, as he was intimate with our [     ] soldiery, & was with us quite often.

I will confer with our 18th members, & endeavor to get the necessary information to complete the roster which I fear will not be easily or accurately obtained, as my desk & all in it was destroyed near Farmville, & those who would probably be able to give the information are so scattered as to be unavailable.

The roster of the Regt that was filed in the Adjt Genls office at Raleigh was notoriously imperfect at the time as to the Field & line officers & a caricature as to the companies.
 

Yrs Truly
WH McLaurin

Cantrell to Lane, April 16, 1881

Dear General
Your note of this date at hand "Sam B Watters" was first of the 3d N C Infantry then Adjt 18th  in QM Dept at Raleigh with W W Pierce "QM" at that post.

is now Keeper of a Saloon at Wilson NC. I have heard particulars not favorable which perhaps I had not better write.

Yours truly
JL [Cantrell]

Post card, Douthat to Lane, from Peterburg Va, April 18, 1881

Weslbury April 18 1881
My dear Gnl, The only son of Ex President Tyler who could have been in our army as Surgeon must have been [John Taswell] Tyler, named after [   ] [Taswell] & did not know that he had served.  I hope you are more than compensated for the top of your professorship.  I am doing about as well as [thousands] since the war

Your sincere friend
Ro. Douthat

Letters re: 28th Regiment NCT

Gibbon to Lane, March 25, 1881

 Dear Sir
Yours came to hand some days ago, and in complying with your request I am necessarily obliged having no record at hand, to depend upon my recollection which is rather [treacherous] in the matter remembering names!

Enclosed I send you a list of the Medical Officers of our Brigade which I think is very nearly correct as far as it goes and hope it may be of some to you
 Yours [   ]
  Robert Gibbon
 

Gibbon to Lane, April 13, 1881

Yours of the [11th] inst came to hand this morning  Dr Holt never was our Brigade Surgeon - He was Genl Wilcox's Division Surgeon & could not have been our Brigade Surgeon for the fact, that the Senior Surgeon on duty with the
Brigade, according to the rules of promotion, would [necessarily] [be] Brigade Surgeon & from my recollection the Brigade never was without one or more Regimental Surgeons present for duty!

I do not recollect the given name of Dr Tyler, who was a son of the late President Tyler.  Dr Tyler was with the Brigade but a short time.

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Strange to say I have but a faint recollection of either Drs [Gordon] Cox or Barham, and not the least of their given names!  I was under the impression that at the times of Battle of Chancelsville that Dr J.B. Alexander was on
duty as Surgeon of the [37] Regiment, but upon [reporting] to Maj J.G. Harris & T.L. Alexander this morning, they are both under the impression that Dr Alexander was not promoted from an Assistant Surgeon!

The only correction in your Roster that I think is necessary to suggest is that of Dr. P.A. Holt as Brigade Surgeon

Respectfully Yours
Robert Gibbon

Lowe to Lane, April 4, 1881

My Dear General,
You cannot imagine my surprise and pleasure on receiving yours of 19th ult.  After some delay it was forwarded tome from Iron Station N.C.  I had left for the gulf some two months previous.  I regret that in my army diary, I neglected the items that might have been of use to you at this time.  The information that I give you must be from recollection entirely.  Col. Turner has already furnished you more than I could possibly have done.

I do not think the regiment had a full surgeon after Dr. Gibbon.  Nick Gibbon was transferred when regimental commissaries were abolished.

Oscar J. Brent, was the name of the first Chaplain.

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He was recommended at High Point.  He was Pastor there, and appointed about the time we moved to Wilmington.  F. Milton Kennedy (not M.F) was appointed by me in Dec. 1862.  He was the last Chaplain.  I knew Dr (P.A.) Holt as Division Surgeon only if not mistaken.  Was not Higginbotham once Brigade Surgeon?  I remember Dr Cox as with us about Kinston N.C. in 1862, and something of a bombastic Dr Barham, captured at Hanover C.H. in May 1862.  He remained with the wounded and was really foolhardy in his defiance to the Yankee Soldiery.  We saw him no more.  Capt. D.A. Parker succeeded Capt G.S. Thompson as Quarter Master when we were at Camp Gregg (wasn't it?) on the Rappahannock near 'Moss Necke' in the winter of 62-3.

On another sheet I shall try to give you some of the officers requested.

Capt T. Jas Linebarger lives at Triangle P.O. Lincoln Co. N.C. and he remembers everything he ever knew nearer than any other man I ever was acquainted with.  He is a veteran still and one of the most truthful men I ever knew.  He is in the Mercantile business and the best people wish him success.  He might fill all the gaps in our reports if called on.

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Officers of 28th.  Besides yourself & me, the regiment never had a Colonel, unless Speer's Commission came in after his death, so far as I know.

Lt. Cols:

T L Lowe,
 W.H.A. Speer,
____ Lovill.  I do not think Lovill had a commission as Lt. Col.

Majors:

R E Reeves
(myself)
W J Montgomery   x
___Lovill ['struck thru']
WHA Speer
S N Stowe   x
____ Lovill. (Can't give full name.)

Dr. Mayo was with the regiment as Asst Surgeon when I was retired.  Who succeeded him I do not know.  I regret that I am unable to furnish you something that would be of use to you, but 16 years of varied fortune in business life have dimmed my recollection of the times I look back upon with mingled feelings-indescribable.  Before closing I wish to add a line about myself and little family.

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Four years after the Surrender we (3) moved South and remained here till 73.  My wife was a consumptive.  For her sake we (4) returned to NC.  In 1879 we buried her, and remained 2 years at our home.  All the while I was a merchant.  When I could so arrange my business, we (3) moved back to So. Ga., and my daughter of 16, boy of 11 are boarding near me, while I am working very hard and doing the best business for many years.  I am a widower.
They say age sits lightly upon me, but I begin to feel the weight of years.  But I do not wish to tire you General.  I would like to hear something of your business & family.  Dr. Gibbon told me some time ago that you were in Richmond.  Very likely you are too busy to write me a long letter.  This is all written after closing my store at 9 1/2 P.M.  Therefore make allowance.

Your friend truly
S. D. Lowe

Lowe to Lane, April 21, 1881

My Dear General,

 Your highly prized letter of 10th inst. was duly received and read with lively interest.  I know it is contrary to your custom to write long letters; this is appreciated both for its length and the subject matter it contains.  Yes, Gen., I do 'grow more & more averse to letter writing.'  The inclination has failed and perhaps partly on account of the increased effort required for the last several years.  The Roster sent me will be preserved to be handed down to my boy as my General's gift:  Your trials since the glorious reign of peace began appear to have been quite as hard as my own in many respects.  Till now though, I did not know that you had been imprisoned for an incendiary speech.  You do not say that you were carried to prison, but to Fortress [Monroe] under arrest.  You certainly were at the very gate for alleged disloyal sentiments, a 'rebellious speech.'  Now it would not surprise me if you could have made a very good speech on such a subject, inflamed at and inspired by the surroundings, (and you always made a sensible talk) but you had more prudence than to do it.

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You have my sympathy for losing so good a position at Va. Agl & Mechl College through the Meahan-ites, at the same time knowing that your energy and ability with recompense you for any ordinary reverses.

Gen. all occupations require hard work, as you are well aware.  My business is not quite so light as to physical labor, as your profession, but I much prefer it, and very likely you might too on a trial.  My choice as to location is along the Sav. Flor & Western R.R. or lower down in Fla.  My small capital decided me to come to this little village, where I might join my former partner who now has abundant means, but there is scarcely a Station from Sav. to Bainbridge - 200 miles - that does not offer inducements to active business men, and but for the single reason mentioned, I should have chosen almost any other.  Since we left this country in 1873, I have continually thought of a neat little town, Homerville, on this road, 90 miles from Sav.  From all I have learned of it, the place would suit me with say $1000 of ready money better than Naylor, 144 miles West of Sav. if I had to play a lone hand.

We are 5 merchants here, Stocks each under $2000.  Two of them frequently speak of selling out, either goods & houses, or goods alone.  There can be a good business done here and I should be very glad to have you with us.  There is no School for misses and rather a poor one for boys.  Society! it is seldom spoken of.  But they have good schools and good people at other places on the road.  It is the climate most of all that brings me South.
Socially, we must 'rough it' too much at Naylor.

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You ask if Dr. Gaither was at any time asst. Surgeon of the 28th.  I think not, at all events, he was never in the regt. while I was with it.  Another query brings to mind that Lt. Ewing acted as Adjt a short time, but my impression is he was not appointed.  I have not seen a copy of Col. Barber's congratulatory order on the occasion of my marriage since my retirement.  It was rather amusing.  I should like to buy the copies of the papers in which your report is published  It would be something like living over again the days of the war without the perils and hardships.  We all enjoyed a portion of the soldiering.  Camp life and even marches were sometimes exhilarating, but then sorrows for slain loved ones often buried our pleasures too deep to be resurrected except by time which claims to cure all griefs.  Have you not heard and read many false statements concerning the wounding of Stonewall Jackson?  I have, and frequently remarked that I did not know why Gen. Lane did not correct the errors through the papers.  True, it was not important to me, but I felt somehow that it should be correctly told, and no other General, not excepting AP. Hill, could do it so well.  Gen Hill, I presume knew less of the disposition of your line, the only brigade on the road in front or near the battery.  Your reports, no doubt, clear it up.

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Whilst writing the foregoing, I recd. a note from Capt Linebarger, asking me if Barringer was not promoted to Lt. Col.  He was certainly recommended and I think appointed, but whether commissioned or not, I can not recollect.  Capt L. is apt to be correct.  It is hardly probable that any of the regt. ever knew Dr. Cox's given name unless it was Dr Gibbon.  He lives in Charlotte still and-can you believe it of the cold old batchelor?- has been twice married in about 10 years.

 In the Observer article which directed you to my P.O. the type setter made me say 'Lane's regiment' for 'Lane's Brigade', which should have been corrected if it could have been done.  You confess to feeling older, but that your friends pronounce you the same as in war times.  Your penmanship at least has not changed and I hope you have before you many years of vigor, in which to enjoy the companionship of your family.  I appreciate your kind sentiments with regard to myself & motherless children.  From present indications they are not likely to have a mother even in name.  I am not able to educate them as I wish and (as you write it) keep out of debt.  Our expenses are $33. per month for board & washing alone.  Considering my many heavy losses and the heavy expenses of traveling with our family for the benefit of an invalid wife, nursing, losing time, paying Doctor bills & e for so many years, I deserve the credit of doing well to achieve a small success with my own unaided efforts.  If you think seriously of coming this way, it will afford me pleasure to give you all the information I can.  Shall be glad to hear from you.

Your friend truly
Sam D. Lowe

Linebarger to Lane, April 18, 1881

Genl. J.H. Lane, Wilmington N.C.

Genl. Your letter of 10th Inst. arrived on the 14th, at which time I was from home, hence the delay.  With pleasure will I furnish you any information I can.  You will recollect that I was but a short time in command of the Regt.  I can not therefore give much information on the field & staff, having no records whatever of Regimental Hd.Qrs.  I have a very full record of my Co.

I recollect getting up a Roster of the Reg. and in my memorandum, under date of Jan 28 '65 is this entry:  'Roster of Officers of Regt. [forwd] to A & I Genls Office, Richmond.'  But I have no copy.  I know nothing of the Roll at Raleigh.

Are you sure Speer was Col.  I am not.  I was absent about 30 days after his death, and it seems that some one told me that his appointment was issued about the time he was killed, but had not reached him.  Perhaps you know of a certainty.

My recollection is that Barringer was Lt. Col. when he resigned.  If so he should come in between S D Lowe & Speer

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I will write to Col Lowe who probably remembers.  Stowe was not promoted above Maj. (fortunately for the Regt.)  Lovell was not promoted above Capt.  I recollect no other Adjutants.  Am pretty sure Erving of E was never Adjt.  I think he rejoined the Regt at one time (you will recollect he was dropped on the re-organization in '62) and if on staff at all it was as Sergt. Maj. which however is not at all clear in my memory.

I have no recollection whatever of Drs. Holt, McRee or Cox.  If the two latter ever belonged to the Regt I am sure I never made the acquaintance of either of the 'gentlemen,' as Capt [G.G.H.] would express it.

I still think I was right in reporting Gaither as full Surgeon, (little as he may have deserved the title).

I can not now call up any Asst. Surgeon after Mayo, and at the same time do not think he was with us all the time up to the surrender.

I add to your Roster Ensign J. P. Little, which promotion was made from my Co May 2nd 1864.  Your Roster contains none of the non-com. staff.

I enclose herewith copy of my list of the Regt. present at the surrender.

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You perhaps addressed the letter you wrote to me soon after the war to Newton which is the C.H. of my native Co. but which county has not been my home since the war except a part of the year '65.  Hence the failure to reach me.
In reply to the closing sentence of your letter I would say that I am trying to do well.  And while I have made no very decided financial success, I have made some headway.  I am now merchandising, in partnership with David Kincaid formerly O.S. of C.C.  We have been in business together here a little over five years.

I obtained a companion in Jan '67, and now there are six young rebels connected with the household.  The 3 elder of the kind to make soldiers - the 3 younger housekeepers.  These are all with us now.  Our second son died at a little over 2 years of age, when we were living in Coffee County Georgia.

Excuse the too great length to which this letter has run.  Mrs. L. and the babies join me in kind regards to you.

Ever your friend
T.J. Linebarger

[Editor's Note:  Internal evidence suggests this is the list referenced by Linebarger, but it was not attached to his letter.]

28th Regt

 

Colonels--James H. Lane Sam D. Lowe W.H.A. Speer. ? Lt. Cols Thos. L. Lowe. Sam D. Lowe. W.H.A. Speer. Majors--Richd. E. Reeves. Sam D. Lowe. W.J. Montgomery. W.D. Barringer. W.H.A. Speer. Saml. N. Stowe. Adjutants -  Duncan A. McRae. Romulus S. Folger.

Surgeons -Robert Gibbon.  J.F. McRee. W.W. Gaither. Asst Surgs.-F.N. Luckey. _____ Cox R.G. Barhum Thos. B. Lane. N.L. Mayo. Quarter Master - G.S. Thompson D.A. Parker. Commissary - N. Gibbon. Chaplains -  O.J. Brent. .N. Kennedy. S. Henkel. Ensign (1st Lieut.) J. Pinkney Little, May 2, 64

---

Linebarger to Lane, April 18, 1881, supplimental

Genl.  The above [moved to below] is an exact copy of a Roll of Officers & men of the 28th Regt. present and surrendered at Appomattox C.H. Va. on Apr 9 '65.  This Roll, drawn by myself from lists furnished by Co. Commanders on Apr. 10th is still in my possession, and I am therefore able to vauch for its correctness.

Yours truly
T.J. Linebarger
Triangle N.C.
April 18th 1881.

HQ 28th NC Regt
April 10 1865
List of Officers & Men Captured

(signed) T.J. Linebarger Capt. Comdg Regt

Linebarger to Lane, May 11, 1881

Genl. J.H. Lane, Wilmington N.C.

Genl. Immediately after receiving your recent letter, I wrote to the P.M. at Troy N.C. from whom I learn, by a card received yesterday, that Col. W.D. Barringer's address is Rockwall C.H. Rockwall Co. Texas.

I have this morning written to Col. B. giving him your address, and also the questions you asked me concerning himself & Erving.

Yours truly
T.J. Linebarger

Lovill to Lane, April 25, 1881

Dear Sir
I have been absent from home for some time, have just returned and find your letter which I hasten to answer.  I think the list is correct ex I do not remember Ewing [Erving]as Agutant  I do not recollect Dr J F McRae dont think we had a Dr Cox I think Mayo was the last Ast Surgeon D.A. Parker was Either Regimental or Brigade Quartermaster Think Gibon was the only Comissary

I was glad to hear from you Genel.  Hope to be able to see you again.  I am doing tolerably well

Yours Very Truly
E F Lovill

Lovill's Roster of the 28th NCT

Barringer to Lane, May 22, 1881

Genl Jas H Lane
Wilmington N.C.
My dear General,

Your favor of the 13th inst. to hand and I can assure you it gave me much pleasure to learn of your whereabouts and will most cheerfully give you all the information possible and will answer your questions in the order asked,  I was Lt Colonel of the regt when I resigned.

 W.H.A. Speer was full Colonel when killed.
 D.A. McRae & R.S. Folger were the only adjutants.
 Do not recollect Dr J.F. McRee as surgeon.
 Do not recollect Cox as asst surg.
 Mayo was last asst surgeon.

[Letterhead shows W.D. Barringer District and County Clerk, Rockwall, Texas]

It would certainly be a great pleasure to your Brigade if you would write up a history of each regiment composing it and have it published in [convenient] form for preservation, if you will undertake it be assured of all the assistance you may require at my hands.  I can furnish you the original muster roll of Co "E"  If you are contributing articles to any publication please let me know that I may become a subscriber  When I can serve you in any manner, Command me.

Most sincerely & truly yours
W.D. Barringer

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[28th Regt Cont] (Marty, the letter below very possibly is not  part of the 28th)
 

Frescot to Lane, April, 21, 1881

My dear Gen.
Your letter was received some days ago and I would have sent you an answer before, but the letter some how got misplaced & I only found it to day.  Many of your questions I cannot anser for they refer to what happened before I joined the Brigade  Holt was Division Surgeon. Dr. McRee was for a short time Brigade Surgeon.  I succeeded Dr. Campbell, and was Brigade Surgeon all the time we were at Petersburg and up to the

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day of the Surrender.  I have read your questions very carefully and have answered all those that I could.  And now my dear Gen let me add that it gave me great pleasure to hear from you as I have the most pleasant memory of the time I spent under your command  With my best wishes for your future prosperity

I remain yours truly
Geo E. Frescot