55th North Carolina Infantry Regiment

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * North Carolina

1862
May The 55th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was organized near Raleigh at Camp Magnum under the command of Colonel John K. Connally. Assigned to the Department of North Carolina.

  • Company A – Wilson County and Wayne County
  • Company B – Wilkes County.
  • Company C – “Cleveland Grays” – Cleveland County.
  • Company D – “Cleveland Farmers” – Cleveland County
  • Company E – Pitt County
  • Company F – “South Mountain Rangers” – Cleveland County
  • Company G – “North Carolina Rebels” – County and Wayne County
  • Company H – “Alexander Bous” – Alexander County and Onslow County
  • Company I – “Franklin Farmers” – Franklin County
  • Company K – Granville County
September Assigned to Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
November Assigned to French’s Command, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
1863
January Assigned to Davis’ Brigade, French’s Command, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
February Assigned to Davis’ Brigade, D.H. Hills Division, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
April-May

Suffolk Campaign

Assigned to Davis’ Brigade, D.H. Hills Division, Department of Southern Virginia.

Colonel Connally took part in a duel after an Alabama staff officer accused the 55th North Carolina of negligence that led to the loss of two cannon. The duel was fought at 40 paces with Mississippi rifles. Both officers had missed their first two shots when the Alabaman offered to revise his report.
April 19

Battery Huger
May Assigned to Davis’ Brigade, Department of North Carolina.
June Assigned to Davis’ Brigade, Heth’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
July 1-3

Battle of Gettysburg

The 55th North Carolina brought 640 men to the field, losing 31% casualties.

The regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel John H.K. Connally. He was shot in the left arm and right hip on July 1, having taken the colors during the charge after several other color bearers were wounded. When asked by Major Belo if he was hurt Connally made the famous reply, ‘Yes, but do not pay any attention to me. Take the colors and keep ahead of the Mississippians.”

Lieutenant Colonel Maurice T. Smith was mortally wounded in the battle and Major Alfred Belo was also wounded, and Captain George A. Gilreath was killed. With all the field officers down, Captain E. Fletcher Satterfield took over as senior captain.

From the monument to Davis’ Brigade on Confederate Avenue at Gettysburg:

July 1. Formed line west of Herr’s Tavern and crossing the Run at 10 A. M. dislodged 2nd Maine Battery and the 2nd Brigade 1st Division First Corps. Threatened on the right it wheeled and occupied railroad cut too deep and steep for defense whereby it lost many prisoners and a stand of colors. Joined later by the 11th Regiment previously on duty guarding trains the Brigade fought until the day’s contest ended.

July 2. Lay all day west of the Run. At evening took position near here.

July 3. In Longstreet’s assault the Brigade formed the left center of Pettigrew’s Division and advanced to the stone wall south of Bryan Barn where with regiments shrunken to companies and field officers all disabled further effort was useless.

July 4. After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.
July 5 Colonel Connally was captured from Imboden’s wagon train of wounded when it was attacked at Cunningham’s Cross Roads. His arm was amputated, but he survived and was eventually exchanged.
October-November
Bristoe Campaign
October 14
Bristoe Station
November-December
Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness

The regiment brought 340 men to the field and lost 59% casualties.
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
May 22-26
North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor

Colonel Connally was wounded.
June
Siege of Petersburg
August 18-19
Weldon Railroad

The regiment lost its flag to Private James T. Jennings of Company K, 56th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
August 25
Reams’ Station
September 30
Jones’ Farm & Squirrel Level Road

Colonel Connally was wounded.
October 2
Harmon Road
December The regiment was transferred to Cook’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
1865
February 5-7
Hatcher’s Run
March 7 Colonel Connally resigned.
April 2
Final Assault on Petersburg
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The regiment surrendered 4 officers and 77 men.