Confederate Regiments & Batteries * North Carolina


 

1861
June 16

The 16th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was organized for one year’s service at Raleigh as the 6th Infantry Regiment Volunteers under the command of Colonel Stephen Lee, Lieutenant Colonel Robert G.A. Love, and Major Benjamin F. Briggs.

Company A – Jackson County – Captain Andrew W. Coleman
Company B – Madison County – Captain John Peek
Company C – Yancey County – Captain John S. McElroy
Company D – Rutherford County – Captain Herbert D. Lee
Company E – Burke County – “Burke Tigers” – Captain Elijah J. Kirksey
Company F – Buncombe County – Captain Patrick H. Thrash
Company G – Rutherford County – Captain Champion T.N. Davis
Company H – Macon County – Captain Thomas M. Angel
Company I – Henderson County – Captain William M. Shipp
Company K – Polk County – “Carolina Boys” – Captain John C. Camp
Company L – Haywood County – Captain Elisha G. Johnston
Company M – Gaston County – Captain William A. Stowe

July 5 The regiment left for Virginia and was assigned to Gilham’s Brigade, Army of the Northwest. It was posted to Valley Mountain, where it suffered from a measles epidemic. At one point two thirds of the regiment was sick, and several men died.
September 12
Cheat Mountain
November-April Marched to Yorktown via Frederiksburg. Assigned to Hampton’s Brigade, Whiting’s Division, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia.
November 14 Redesignated as the 16th North Carolina Infantry Regiment when North Carolina consolidated their state and volunteer unit designations.
1862
April-June Assigned to Hampton’s Brigade, Whiting’s Division, Army of Northern Virginia. Mustered 721 men.
April-May
Siege of Yorktown
April 26

The regiment was reorganized for the duration of the war. Company N (“Rutherford Rifles” – Rutherford County) was added. Captain Champion T.N. Davis of Company G was elected colonel, Captain John S. McElroy of Company C was elected lieutenant colonel, and Captain William Stowe of Company M was elected major.

The new company officers were:
Company A -Captain James R. Love
Company B – Captain Solomon W. Carter
Company C – Captain Creed F. Young
Company D – Captain Adolphus A. McKinney
Company E – Captain Elijah J. Kirksey (reected)
Company F – Captain Henry C. Worley
Company G – Captain Lawson Pinkney Erwin
Company H – Captain James L. Robinson
Company I – Captain William B. Whitaker
Company K – Captain John C. Camp (reelected)
Company L – Captain Alden G. Howell
Company M – Captain Leroy W. Stowe
Company N – James W. Kilpatrick (reelected)

May 31-June 1
Battle of Seven Pines

Colonel Davis was killed. Lieutenant Colonel McElroy was promoted to colonel and Major Stowe to lieutenant colonel. 

June 19

Company M was transferred to the 56th North Carolina Infantry Regiment as Company I.

June-July Assigned to Pender’s Brigade, A.P. Hill’s Division, Longstreet’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia.
June 25-July 1
Seven Days Battles

The regiment lost lost 33 men killed and 199 wounded in the week’s fighting.

June 26
Beaver Dam Creek
June 27
Battle of Gaines’ Mill

Major Stowe was wounded.

June 30
Frayser’s Farm

Captain Andrew W. Coleman, of Company A was killed. Lieutenant A.W. Bryson took command until he was wounded, and the company ended the battle under the command of Sergeant John S. Keener.

July-May A.P. Hill’s Division was transferred to Jackson’s Command.
August 9
Battle of Cedar Mountain
August 28-30
Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The regiment lost 8 men killed and 44 wounded.

September 1
Battle of Ox Hill (Chantilly)
September 4

Crossed the Potomac River.

September 9

Reached Frederick, Maryland.

September 12-15
Capture of Harpers Ferry
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William A. Stowe.

From the War Department marker for Pender’s Brigade along Harpers Ferry Road at Antietam:

Pender’s Brigade left Harpers Ferry at 7:30 A.M. of September 17, crossed the Potomac by Blackford’s Ford and reached this road about 3 P.M. It was placed in position near this point to guard the approaches to the battlefield from the lower Antietam. It was exposed to the long range Infantry and Artillery fire of the enemy but was not otherwise actively engaged.

Late in the day it was moved to the left, and on the morning of the 18th, took position on the left of Branch’s Brigade, where it remained until it was withdrawn to recross the Potomac.

September 20
Shepherdstown Ford
October 1 At Bunker Hill. 
October 5 Company A was transferred to the 39th North Carolina Infantry and Company E was transferred to the Thomas Legion.
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg

The regiment lost 6 men killed and 48 wounded. Colonel McElroy was wounded and disabled. Lieutenant Colonel Stowe was promoted to colonel.

1863
May 1-4
Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment lost 105 casualties. Colonel William Stowe was wounded. 

May Assigned to Scales’ Brigade, Pender’s-Wilcox’s Division in the newly created 3rd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia.
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Captain Leroy W. Stowe. It brought 321 men to the field and lost 72 casualties.

From the monument to Scales’ Brigade on the Gettysburg battlefield:

July 1. Crossed Willoughby Run about 3.30 P. M. relieving Heth’s line and advancing with left flank on Chambersburg Pike took part in the struggle until it ended. When the Union forces made their final stand on Seminary Ridge the Brigade charged and aided in dislodging them but suffered heavy losses. Gen. A. M. Scales was wounded and all the field officers but one were killed or wounded.

July 2. In position near here with skirmishers out in front and on flank.

July 3. In Longstreet’s assault the Brigade supported the right wing of Pettigrew’s Division. With few officers to lead them the men advanced in good order through a storm of shot and shell and when the front line neared the Union works they pushed forward to aid it in the final struggle and were among the last to retire.

July 4. After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.

July 10
Falling Waters
October-November
Bristoe Campaign
November-December
Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
May 22-26
Battle of North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor
June
Siege of Petersburg
August 25
Reams Station
September 29-30
Fort Harrison & Jones’ Farm
1865
February 5-7
Battle of Hatcher’s Run
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The regiment surrendered 12 officers and 83 enlisted men under the command of Colonel William Stowe.

The regiment’s field officers were Colonels Stephen Lee, Champion T.N. Davis, John S. McElroy, and William A. Stowe; Lieutenant Colonels Abel J. Cloud and Robert G.A. Love; and Majors Benjamin F. Briggs and Herbert D. Lee.