2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

[Mississippian]

I had relatives in these outfits, so I'm going through the muster rolls to find interesting things. So far:

3rd N.C.M.I.: I have gone through the surnames "A" & "B" and have found the following arms taken by deserters:

25 Springfield Rifles
5 Ballard Rifles
1 Spencer Rifle
1 Remington Revolver

The funny thing is that most of these men came back when a amnesty was offered shortly after the war was ended and ending up getting a slap on the wrist at best, not even a stoppage of pay.

Also, quite a few men fined for losing bayonets, eagle breast plates, ect. They sound more like a Confederate unit than a Federal one. I have seen a few stoppages for knapsacks, shelter tents as well, sounds like they were equipped like regular infantry.

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Through the "D"'s now,

50 Springfield Rifles
5 Ballard Rifles
2 Spencer Rifles
2 Remington Revolvers

Of the 2 men who took the revolvers, both took long arms too, one took a Ballard, the other took a Springfield. One man took two Springfields....

http://www.amazon.com/Kirks-Raiders-Matt-Bumgarner/dp/1931058008

This book is the best source of information on the units. I have a copy, on the cover you see two of the Kirk Brothers, one of them, G.W. Kirk, was the commander of the 3rd NCMI. As you can tell he and his brothers armed themselves finely, with Colt Revolvers and Henry Rifles. This book also has one of two known photos of enlisted men from these units, both of the 2nd NCMI. The solder in the book is wearing a standard federal frock coat with a civilian hat. USMHI has the other photo, that soldier is wearing what looks like a 11 button Infantry Jacket along with another civilian hat.

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Through the "H"'s now.

75 Springfield Rifles
1 Enfield Rifle
8 Springfield S.B. Muskets
5 Ballard Rifles
1 Ballard Carbine
2 Spencer Rifles
4 Remington Revolvers

Looking through the clothing left by soldiers who died in hospital it seems that most had frock coats.

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Though "N" now.

96 Springfield Rifles
2 Enfield Rifles
9 Springfield S.B. Muskets
8 Ballard Rifles
1 Ballard Carbine
2 Spencer Rifles
5 Remington Pistols

One thing to note is that these regiments were NOT mounted by the government. They were authorized to use their own private horses or those taken from civilians or captured from the Confederates.

Will MacDonald

[Mississippian]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Finished.

Arms taken by desterters in 3rd NCMI:

165 Springfield Rifles
12 Springfield S.B. Muskets
2 Enfield Rifles
19 Ballard Carbines
4 Spencer Rifles
7 Remington Revolvers

The Ballard's, Spencer's, and Remington's are all in either Companies "A" or "B".....

Will MacDonald

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Curious?....

In almost every Southern state during the war there were organized Federal units (most with state designations) that fought against their neighbors, fellow citizens and families. I have always wondered how much animosity was directed at these individuals (those that remained in the state) after the war and how it manifested itself? Certainly, those around them would know who they were and their political sentiments. So what happened? As a general group did "most" migrate elsewhere? Or did they remain? If so, what kind of anecdotal stories can help explain what the general feelings were between the groups in the South and how long, if ever did it take to dissipate? Was there organized reconciliation? Now, I am NOT talking about the blacks. That story has been well documented. I am talking about white Southerners.
I have not read much on this nor am I aware of a book or extensive study on this subject. Anyone know of a seriously researched study on this subject?

The only books I am aware of relate to Newt Knight and the Mississippi "Free State of Jones". A singular, mostly war time account and probably a not so typical story with ambigious motivations at best.


Ken R Knopp

[Mississippian]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

Ken,

My GGG Grandmother told stories to my grandparents from time to time about those times. She was born in 1855 in Buncombe County NC and by my family research show that extended family members fought on both sides. Her father served in the 2nd NCMI and died in a parole camp after being captured and exchanged by the Confederates in early 1864.

One of her stories involved a young man (about 14 or 15 who I believe to be a cousin of her's) from the family running off to join the Union Army in Tennessee. He did this because the family was starving, everything had been impressed by the Confederates. This young soldier would steal food from the QM and slip off to leave it at a predetermined spot up in the mountains, then Rachel and other female members of the family would go to pick it up.

After the war, there are stories of the family having rocks thrown at them as they went to church, they were Baptists, so I don't think it had much to do with their religion but rather which side the family was on during the war. I think many families white washed their Unionist relatives away during subsequent generations, almost every southern person I have done family research for has had a Unionist relative they had no idea about, or who they think fought for the south.

Politically, there were regions of the south where the Republican Party was the majority party for years after Reconstruction ended. This was particularly true in East Tennessee, where the Democrats broke a deal with the local Republicans: In exchange for having some influence in the state government in Nashville, the Republicans would help patronize Tennessee Democrats in Washington during times Republicans controlled the White House and Congress.

Will MacDonald

[MuleyGil]

Re: 2nd & 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (US)

I remember reading that Roy Acuff was from East Tennessee and that in his county (I'm thinking Union Co), those whoses ancestors fought for the North walked on one side of the street in the county seat, while those whose ancestors fought for the South walked only on the OTHER side of the street.

Lt Gen Lewis B (Chesty) Puller USMC was a Virginian and one of his great uncles fought for the North. No one in the family ever spoke to him again, after the Waah.