The Fayetteville Arsenal-- Part 2: N.C. Takes Over, Center for Confederate Small Arms

When North Carolina seceded from the Union, Governor Ellis instructed Warren Winslow to bring about, peacefull if possible, the surrender of the arsenal.  General Walker Droughon, in command of N.C. militia mobilized the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (FILI) under the command of Major Wright Huske, and the LaFayette Light Infantry commanded by Lt. Joseph B. Starr.

These and other troops set the Confederates at around 500 troops.on April 22, 1861.  Lt. DeLagnel of the Union forces came out, took a look at the size of the Confederate force and decided it would be fruitless to resist and surrendered.  His troops vacated the arsenal on April 22.

Rifle-making machinery from the arsenal at Harpers Ferry were transferred to the Fayetteville Arsenal in October 1861 and this arsenal became a major supplier of small arms to Confederate troops.

--Old Secesh

Arlington Confederate Dead Reburied in North Carolina-- Part 4

The military units were drawn up on three sides of the square and rendered salutes and a band played a dirge.  Governor Jarvis spoke and called them "patriot soldiers."

The four caskets with the remains were laid in two graves immediate south of the Confederate Monument.  Volleys were fired over the graves and full military honors given.  Markers stating "Arlington Dead" were placed on the graves.

On May 2, 1993, the SCV erected a two-ton granite marker over their final resting place.

The bronze plate on the granite has the names, rank, dates and units of 102 soldiers and 5 unknowns.  Since then, two of the unknowns have been identified and a smaller granite marker has been placed for them at the base of the larger marker.

The honor guard for the 1993 ceremony was by the Fayetteville Independent Light Artillery., the same unit that participated in the 1883 ceremony.

--Old Secesh

Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company-- Part 2: Last at the Spanish-American War

When the 1st NC Infanntry was reorganized as the 11th NC Infantry, the FILI (Fayetteville Light Infantry Company) remained as Co. H. and fought at the Battle of Gettysburg and some of the members were still with the unit when Lee surrendered it at Appomattox.

After the war, the unit's history was marked by controversy when it refused to retire the gray uniform it wore fighting for the Confederacy. This refusal kept the unit from being accepted into the State Guard.

During the Spanish-American War, the FILI entered national service as Company A, 2nd Regiment, commanded by Captain Benjamin Huske. Wearing their Confederate uniforms, the enlistees marched into Camp Dan Russell, where "they doffed the grays" and "donned the blues" of the United States.

So, was this another "last" for North Carolina?

Could Be. --Old Secesh