The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Monday, June 28, 2010

The 18th North Carolina at Chancellorsville-- Wounding of Jackson

Back in December, 2009, I had several posts about the 18th North Carolina and the wounding of Stonewall Jackson that led to his death.

COMPANY F was called "The Scotch Boys" and had 94 officers and men. Of that number, 60 were 6 feet to 6 feet four inches in height, a very tall group for that time.

Nine companies of the 18th moved to Camp Wyatt, named for H.L. Wyatt, the first Confederate soldier killed in battle during the war (who was from North Carolina).

Camp Wyatt was located on James Burris' land near the head of the sound about a mile from present-day Carolina Beach, North Carolina. I have also seen it located about two miles north of Fort Fisher, about where Kure Beach is today. There is a Camp Wyatt Court in Kure Beach today.

On July 1, 1861, the regiment elected officers and was reorganized April 24, 1862. At that time, Private John D. Barry was elected captain of Company I.


THE WOUNDING OF GENERAL JACKSON

At Chancellorsville, Col, Purdie and Adjutant McLaurin were out in front of the 18th's lines when they heard a few shots fired. They headed back to the lines as fast as they could, when the 18th "fired a terrific volley. How we escaped was wonderful. Horses with riders and horses without, came into lines with us.

We are friends, Cease firing! rang out, but too late. Stonewall Jackson and some of his staff wounded and some two or three couriers killed, was the result of the volley. I pulled the cape of his overcoat over the head of one of Hill's couriers."

Report of Adjutant William H. McLaurin.

To Be Continued. --Old B-Runner

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