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Friday, June 3, 2022

Remembrance of The Enfield Blues, Soldiers of Company I Who Fought in Civil War, 1901

The Enfield Blues

The following article, which is being published by request, was published in the old Enfield Ledger in 1901.

Seeing that you take a lively interest in what affects Enfield and vicinity, and believing that you feel a sympathy in the affairs of the Confederate Veterans of ’61-’65, which I am sorry to say some do not feel, I have thought that you might like to give the public, through your paper, a sketch of one of the companies which Halifax county sent to the front in defense of Southern Rights, I.e., the Enfield Blues.

Prior and subsequent to the John Brown raid, the military spirit of the people was aroused. This feeling affected the young men of Enfield and vicinity, and a volunteer company of militia was formed from the men of Halifax and that portion of Edgecombe lying contiguous. The organization was effected by electing D.B. Bell, captain; M.T. Whitaker, 1st lieutenant; F.M. Parker, 2nd lieutenant; Cary Whitaker Jr., 3rd lieutenant. The non-commissioned officers appointed were Jonas Cohen, 1st sergeant; W.H. Whitaker, 2nd sergeant; B.C. Bustin, 3rd sergeant; William Burnett, 4th sergeant; W.H. Knight, 5th sergeant.

The company continued regular drill, perfecting itself in all the duties appertaining to the soldier in piping times of peace.

Upon the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to coerce the South, this company offered its services to the Governor of North Carolina, and received marching orders on April 24, 1861. It boarded the train at Raleigh on April 26, and reported at headquarters on the 27th. Upon the organization of the First Regiment of North Carolina volunteers, commanded by that fine soldier and Christian gentleman, D.H. Hill, this company was assigned to that regiment as company “I.”

The regiment was ordered to Richmond on May 21st, and went into camp near Richmond at Howards Grove. Among the 10 companies composing the regiment each offer felt a little “cocky” on the bearing and appearance of his men. While in camp at Howards Grove, Col. Hill instructed his regiment in the manual of arms and such other duties as our limited space would allow. The Richmond people turned out in force to see the Tar Heels, and among them was a good sprinkling of ladies. Col. Hill was known among his boys as “Old Hawkeye.” He could see everything going on. In putting the regiment through the manual, he halted a moment and sang out: “That old man in the rear rank of Company ‘I’ is too slow.” Afraid to turn my head to look, I mentally said: “Poor old Major,” a personal friend and the oldest man in the company. When the parade was dismissed it so happened that it was not my friend the Major but one of the youngest boys in the company. I am gland to report him “present for duty” and in robust health today.

The First N.C., Volunteers was ordered to Yorktown on the 24th. While in camp near Yorktown the regiment received some of those salutary lessons in drill discipline, and other duties fit for the realities of war. One June 6, 1861, the regiment moved to the vicinity of Bethel and engaged in the battle of Bethel on June 10. After Company A, Captain Bridges, had driven the enemy from his front, there was quiet for some time. Soon a mounted officer came dashing at full speed along the front of Company I, calling out, “Who commands this company?” I stepped to the front, saluted, and gave him my name and rank. His orders were: “Lieutenant, deploy your men along this swamp as sharpshooters; protect them as well as you can, and keep a sharp look-out to the front, as I expect an attack right in your front.” My idea of sharpshooter was that he should be armed with a gun able to kill his man at 2,000 yards, and reported to Col. Magruder (it was he) that I was armed with smooth bore muskets. After emphasizing an answer in language, which Stonewall Jackson never used, he told me that my muskets were as good as any used, and added, “Deploy your men; deploy your men.” Some things happened on that swamp that day which are known only to Company I. After watching and waiting for more than an hour, everything being quiet, Jo. Arrington, a wild, rollicking boy, but one of the best soldiers we had, approached me and asked if it was not a fitting time for a little word of prayer. As company chaplain, Rev. Mr. Page, was on the right of the company I mentioned it to him. Just then Oliver Pittman, another good soldier, said “Lieutenant, would it not be well to watch as well as pray? I will do the watching,” and stood erect on the breastworks, while our chaplain gave us a prayer suitable for the occasion. It may be your good fortune, Mr. Editor, to meet Mr. Arrington; if so, he will give you an amusing story of this.

There were several changes in the officers of company I. On August 31, D.B. bell resigned his commission as captain. Captain Bell was a fine officer, and carried with him the respect of his men. Second Lieutenant Parker was promoted to captain and First Sergeant C.B. Corbitt was elected second lieutenant. Other changes were made in the non-commissioned officers. The company was composed of the best young men of this vicinity; and of a portion of Edgecombe. I recall the “Beavans, the Burts, the Branches, the Pittmans, the Britts, the sledges, the Smiths, the Gregorys, the Randolphs, the Raspberrys, and other names, which the company is proud to own. I cannot close this imperfect sketch without placing my wreath of immortelles on the grave of Lieutenant Cary Whitaker. He was true to all the duties of life, true in his death.

After his term of service expired with company I, Lieutenant Whitaker organized a company whichhe carried to the 43rdN.C. infantry. He easily became captain of Company D in that regiment. It is high praise to say that Captain Whitaker enjoyed the confidence and esteem of Brig Gen. Junius Daniel. For several months before the close of the war, Capt. Whitaker had command of his regiment. On the retreat from Petersburg, in one of the many assaults which were met and repulsed, Captain Whitaker took a rifle from one of his wounded men, and in the act of firing was wounded in both hands. In tis disabled condition he was taken to the general hospital at Danville. At that time, telegraph lines were used almost entirely by the government, and a private message was rarely taken. Knowing that the writer was in command of the post at Raleigh, Captain Whitaker telegraphed him to let his people know of his condition, and to send him a servant and provisions. I went at once to the office, approached Mr. A.P. Bryan, the manager, told him of the case; his answer was: “Sit right down and give me your message. It shall go at once.” I telegraphed to that warm-hearted, noble man, Dr. Henry Joyner, of Enfield, who delivered it to the family, but the captain needed no help when it reached him. As soon as I returned home, after the war, I called on Captain Whitaker’s family. Mrs. Dr. Whitaker was step-mother to the captain. Being an old friend of my father’s family, I knew her well. It was my privilege to read the last letter from her soldier boy. The letter was the work of amanuensis, an Episcopal minister of Danville. The letter breathed the spirit of a Christian gentleman and soldier, and was filled with the tenderest feelings towards his mother As I handed the letter back, in her soft touching voice, her eyes swollen with tears, she said to me: ‘Frank, it is so sad.’”

Second Lieutenant Co. I, N.C.V. From The Progress, Enfield, N.C., June 2, 1922

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