Confederate Regiments & Batteries * North Carolina
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1862
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| May | The History of the 55th North Carolina Infantry Regiment in the Civil War 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. |
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1863
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| 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 CampaignAssigned 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 GettysburgThe 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 wounded 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. Colonel Connally had been shot in the left arm and right hip and was thought too badly wounded to move back to Virginia. He was left behind and was captured. His arm was amputated, but he survived. 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. |
| October-November |
Bristoe Campaign |
| October 14 |
Bristoe Station |
| November-December |
Mine Run Campaign |
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1864
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| May 5-6 |
Battle of the WildernessThe 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 HarborColonel Connally was wounded. |
| June |
Siege of Petersburg |
| August 18-19 |
Weldon Railroad |
| August 25 |
Reams’ Station |
| September 30 |
Jones’ Farm & Squirrel Level RoadColonel 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. |
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1865
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| February 5-7 |
Hatcher’s Run |
| March 7 | Colonel Connally resigned. |
| April 2 |
Final Assault on Petersburg |
| April 9 |
Appomattox Court HouseThe regiment surrendered 4 officers and 77 men. |