The 8th North Carolina Regiment was formed at Camp Wyatt near Carolina Beach, north of what became Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina.
It consisted of men from Wilmington as well as Robeson, New Hanover, Bladen, Columbus and Richmond counties.
John Decatur's Company I was also called the Wilmington Rifle Guard.
18TH NORTH CAROLINA
The 8th NC was redesignated as the 18th North Carolina at Camp Wyatt and elected as officers Col. James D. Ratliff, Lt.Col. O. P. Mears and Major George Tate.
In early October, the regiment with the exception of Co. K, was moved to Confederate Point and helped construct Fort Fisher. In November, it was ordered to Port Royal.
Company K manned a battery at Zeke's Island off the southern point of Fort Fisher.
The History of a Regiment. --Blockade-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
