52nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * North Carolina

The 52nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment commissioned or enlisted 1,296 men in the course of the Civil War. Of these, 115 were killed in battle, 223 died of disease, 602 were prisoners of war (of which 103 died in prison), 26 were disabled, 2 were missing, and 29 deserted.

1862
April 22

The 52nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment was organized near Raleigh at Camp Mangum under the command of Colonel James K. Marshall (VMI Class of 1860), Lieutenant Colonel Marcus A. Parks. Assigned to the Department of North Carolina.

Company A – “Cabarrus Riflemen” – Cabarrus County – Captain George A. Propst.
Company B – “Randolph Guards” – Randolph County – Captain James K. Foulkes.
Company C – “Orapeake Guards” – Gates County – Captain Julian Gilliam.
Company D – “McCulloch”s Avengers” – Stokes County – Leonidas R. Gibson.
Company E – “Richmond Regulators” – Richmond County – Captain Benjamin F. Little.
Company F – “Wilkes Grays” – Wilkes County – Captain Nathaniel A. Foster.
Company G – “Dry Pond Dixies” – Lincoln County – Captain Joseph B. Shelton.
Company H – “Spring Hill Guards” – Lincoln County – Captain Eric Erson.
Company I – “Stanly Rebels” – Stanly County – Captain George C. McCain.
Company K – “Fighting Boys” – Forsyth County – Captain Julius C. Blackburn.
July Assigned to Martin’s Brigade, Department of North Carolina.
July 2 Captain Foulkes of Company B resigned and was replaced by First Lieutenant Jesse W. Kyle.
August 28 Captain Shelton of Company G resigned and was replaced by First Lieutenant James M. Kincaid.
September Assigned to Pettigrew’s Brigade, French’s Command, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
October 3
Blackwater River
November 26

Captain Propst of Company A resigned. He was replaced by First Lieutenant John Alexander.
December
Goldsborough Bridge

The regiment lost 8 men killed, 51 wounded and 9 captured.
1863
February-April Assigned to Pettigrew’s Brigade, D. H. Hill’s Command, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
April Assigned to Pettigrew’s Brigade, Department of North Carolina.
May-June Assigned to Pettigrew’s Brigade, Department of Richmond.
June Assigned to Pettigrew’s-Kirkland’s-MacRae’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Voirginia.
July 1-4
Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded by Colonel James K. Marshall. Colonel Marshall took over the brigade as senior colonel after General Pettigrew replaced the wounded General Heth on July 1. Marshall was killed while leading the brigade on horseback during Pickett’s Charge on July 3. Lieutenant Colonel Marcus A. Parks took over command of the regiment. Major John Richardson was killed on July 3. Captain McCain of Company I and Captain Blackburn of Company K were killed on July 1. 

The regiment lost 37 men killed, 214 wounded and 212 captured.

After the battle Lieutenant Colonel Parks would be promoted to colonel, Captain Benjamin F. Little of Company E was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Captain Eric Erson of Company H was promoted to major. First Lieutenant Milton S. Austin became captain of Company E, First Lieutenant Lawson A. Dillenger became captain of Company H, First Lieutenant James D. Hearne became captain of Company I, and First Lieutenant Junius W. Goslin became captain of Company K.

From the monument to Pettigrew’s Brigade on the Gettysburg battlefield:

July 1. Crossing Willoughby Run at 2 P. M. met the 1st Brigade 1st Division First Corps in Reynolds Woods and drove it back after a bloody struggle. Advancing to the summit of the ridge encountered and broke a second Union line and was then relieved by troops of Pender’s Division.

July 2. Lay in woods west of the Run. In evening took position near here.

July 3. In Longstreet’s assault the Brigade occupied the right center of the Division and the course of the charge brought it in front of the high stone wall north of the Angle and 80 yards farther east, it advanced very nearly to that wall. A few reached it but were captured. The skeleton regiments retired led by Lieutenants and the Brigade by a Major the only field officer left.

July 4. After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.
July 10 
Falling Waters

The regiment lost 5 wounded and 72 captured while acting as the rear guard for Lee’s army as it crossed the Potomac into West Virginia. Captain Foster of Company F was captured.
October-November
Bristoe Campaign
October 14
Bristoe Station

The regiment lost 2 men killed, 25 wounded, and 46 captured.
December
Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness

The regiment lost 5 men wounded and 39 captured.
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The regiment lost Captain Gibson of Company D was killed, 11 men wounded and 10 captured.
May 22-26
North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor

The regiment lost 3 men killed, 13 wounded and 2 men captured.
June
Siege of Petersburg
August 18-24
Globe Tavern
August 25
Reams’ Station

The regiment lost 3 men killed and 7 wounded.
August 30

Lieutenant Colonel Little resigned. Major Erie Erson was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
September 30
Jones’ Farm
September 30
Squirrel Level Road
October 1
Pegram’s Farm
October 2
Harman Road
October 27
Burgess’ Mill
1865
February 5-7
Hatcher’s Run

The regiment lost 3 men wounded.
April 2
Sutherland Station (Fall of Petersburg)

The regiment lost 3 men wounded and 85 captured
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The regiment surrendered 6 officers and 60 enlisted men.

The regiment’s field officers were Colonels James K. Marshall and Marcus A. Parks, Lieutenant Colonels Eric Erson and Benjamin F. Little, and Major John Q. Richardson.