The 38th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was organized near Raleigh at Camp Mangum, under the command of Colonel William J. Hoke. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. Dokery and Major George W. Sharpe. Assigned to the Department of North Carolina.

Company A – “Spartan Band” – Duplin County – Captain A. G. Mosely
Company B – “Men of Yadkin” – Yadkin County – Captain C.L. Cook
Company C – “Sampson Farmers” – Sampson County – Captain Peter B. Troublefield
Company D – “Sampson Plowboys” – Sampson County – Captain John Ashford
Company E – “Richmond Boys” – Richmond County – Captain R.W. Capell
Company F – “Sulphur Wild Cats” – Catawba County – Captain Joshua D. Little
Company G – “Rocky Face Rangers” – Alexander County – Captain  John E. Rhein
Company H – “Uwharrie Boys” – Randolph County – Captain Nosh Rush
Company I – “Cleveland Marksmen” – Cleveland County – Captain O. P. Gardiner
Company K – “Carolina Boys” – Cumberland County – Captain Murdock McRae McLaughlin

Reorganized for the duration of the war at Camp Mason, near Raleigh with new elections for all officers.

Thomas S. Kenan was elected colonel but did not accept, and Colonel Hoke was reelected.
First Lieutenant Robert Armfield of Company B was elected lieutenant colonel.
L.D. Andrews wes elected major.

Company A – Captain A. G. Mosely was reelected.
Company B – Captain C.L. Cook was reelected,
Company C – Captain J.T. Wilson was elected.
Company D – Captain John Ashford was reelected.
Company E – Captain D.C. McRae was elected.
Company F – Captain D. McD. Yount was elected.
Company G – Captain G.W. Flowers was elected.
Company H – Captain W.L. Thornburg was elected.
Company I – Captain O. P. Gardiner was reelected.
Company K – Captain Murdock McRae McLaughlin was reelected.

Seven Days Battles

Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville)

The regiment brought 420 men to the field and lost 152 men killed or wounded. Company G alone lost 27 men. Colonel Hoke was wounded and Lieutenant Colonel Armfield took command.

Adjutant Miles Cowles was mortally wounded. Captain Flowers and Lieutenant Harrington of Company G and were severely wounded. Color Bearer John Waters was also severely wounded but remained with the regiment and continued to carry the colors to the end of the battle. Lieutenants Darden of Company D and Covington of Company E were killed, and Lieutenants Dan F. Eoseman of Company F and Angus Shaw of Company H were severely wounded.

Gaines’ Mill

Frayser’s Farm

Lieutenant Colonel Armfield was sick, and Major Andrews took command.

Battle of Cedar Mountain

Major Andrews was sick, and Captain Ashford commanded the regiment.

Major Andrews resigned due to illness and Captain Ashford was promoted to major.

Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The regiment lost 2 men killed and 22 wounded. Major Ashford was wounded in the leg, and Captain McLaughlin of Company K took comand. Lieutenant W.A. Stephenson of Company G was killed and Lieutenant Duncan Black was wounded.

Ox Hill (Chantilly)

Bivouacked at Big Spring

Crossed the Potomac into Maryland near Leesburg

Recrossed the Potomac into Virginia at Williamsport and forced Federal General White to retreat to Harpers Ferry.

Harpers Ferry

Captain Armstrong of Company A and Lieutenant Smith of Company K were wounded.

Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Armfield.

From the War Department marker for Pender’s Brigade (currently missing):

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.

Shepherdstown Ford

Lieutenant Colonel Armfield was badly wounded, having just returned from his previous wound. Captain John Ashford took command of the regiment as senior officer.

Battle of Fredericksburg

The regiment lost 14 men wounded.

The regiment went into winter quarters at Camp Gregg and picketed the area around Moss Creek Church.

Colonel Hoke rejoined the regiment from convalescent leave.

Lieutenant Colonel Armfield resigned while at his home recovering from his Shepherdstown wound.

Left camp to march for Fredericksburg.

Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment lost 20 men killed, 77 wounded, and 11 missing.

Assigned to Scales’ Brigade, Pender’s-Wilcox’s Division in the newly created Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment brought 216 men to the field and lost over 40% casualties, most of whom on July 1. Every man from Company A was wounded of killed.

The 38th North Carolina was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel William J. Hoke. He and Lieutenant Colonel John Ashford were wounded on July 1. Captain William L. Thornburg was also wounded but remained on the field and took command of the regiment until he was wounded in Pickett’s Charge on July 3. 1st Lieutenant John M. Robinson then took over as senior surviving officer.

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.

Falling Waters

Bristoe Campaign

Mine Run Campaign

Battle of the Wilderness

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

Battle of North Anna

Battle of Cold Harbor

Siege of Petersburg

Reams’ Station

Fort Harrison

Jones’ Farm

Hatcher’s Run

Appomattox Court House

The regiment surrendered 21 officers and 110 enlisted men.