For those that will attend the Peninsula preservation march, we
have decided to attend as Company M, “The Chatham Rifles” of the 15th
Regiment, NCT. Below is a some background information in the unit and a
guide to our impression for this event.
The Regiment
The 15th NC, originally the 5th NC Volunteers, was organized on 11 June
1861 at Garysburg, NC. (“two miles north of Weldon”). The regiment was
organized with 12 rather than 10 companies and was commanded by Col.
Robert M. McKinney, formerly of the 6th NCST and an instructor under
D.H Hill at the NC Military Institute. Company M, from Chatham County,
enlisted at Pittsboro on 12 April 61 and moved into camp at Raleigh. On
4 June it entered State service and moved to Garysburg to join the 15th
NCT. The first company commander, Ross Ihrie, was appointed Lt Col for
the regiment, and was replaced by John W. Taylor on 15 June. (Note:
Companies L and M would eventually be transferred to the 32nd NCT on 4
July 62)
The regiment deployed to Yorktown, Virginia, and arrived on 1 July. The
regiment occupied a camp southwest of the town and began “throwing up
breastworks day and night”. The regiment sent various companies out on
occasional reconnaissance missions down the Peninsula. The soldiers
suffered from serious outbreaks of sickness, then thought to be caused
by service in swampy areas in summer, but probably due more to bad
sanitation and poor water than malaria. The unit had nearly 90% of its
strength on the sick list at one time in September and eventually lost
“over fifteen per cent” dead/disabled to disease by April 1862. The
unit was moved up the Peninsula to recover, then returned to Yorktown
in October. It remained in winter quarters until February, 1862 when
the unit was sent eventually to Goldsboro, NC as part of Cobb’s Brigade
to reinforce L.O’B. Branch’s forces after the loss of New Bern. After
the arrival of McClellan’s Federal army in the Peninsula, the brigade
returned to Virginia by 15 April and went into position near Lee’s Mill
along the Warwick River line, where the regiments began work to improve
the defenses along its portion of the line. Cobb’s Brigade (2nd La,
11th Ga., 16th Ga., 15th NCT, Cobb’s Legion, and Troup (Ga.) Artillery)
now formed part of McLaws’ 2nd Division.
The Battle at Lee’s Mill, 16 April 1862
The Confederate lines followed the Warwick River, which at its northern
end had various milldams erected across it. These dams created wide
ponds that acted as obstacles to Federal movement, and the river could
only be crossed at the dams. Lee’s Mill was located at Dam No.1, but
the 15th NC, “about 500 men”, occupied a line below the Dam, fronting
the pond created by Dam No. 2. The recent heavy rains had made life
particularly difficult in the Confederate trenches and artillery
revetment. General Magruder described it thus:
From the 4th of April to the 3rd of May this army served almost
continually without relief in the trenches…It rained almost
incessantly. The trenches were filled with water. No fires could be
allowed. The artillery and infantry of the enemy played upon or men day
and night. The army had neither coffee, sugar or hard bread, but
subsisted on flour and salt meats, and these in reduced quantities, and
yet no murmurs were heard…
E. Porter Alexander added:
The trenches filled with water as fast as they could be opened and
could not be drained. Yet the continual firing compelled the men to
remain in them…The trenches were so hastily constructed that they
barely afforded room for the line of battle to crouch in…In many places
they became offensive beyond description.
The Federals mounted a “reconnaissance in force” toward Dam No. 1 on 16
April. The Vermont Brigade, five regiments strong, was sent forward to
the portion of the line held by the 15th NC. Earlier that morning,
around 0800, artillery fire was directed on the position at Dam No. 1.
Col. McKinney formed the regiment, in line of battle, then around 1000
hrs called in a “working party of 100 men” working on rifle pits. The
regiment remained on alert through the early afternoon. He then ordered
the regiment to stack arms and all troops were put to work on the
fortifications. Pickets occupied the rifle pits 200 yards forward of
this position, along the edge of the pond.
The Federals had found that, despite the heavy rains, the pond in front
of the 15th NC was no more than 4 feet deep and 150-200 yards wide.
Their approach march though the pond was covered by the ‘heavy timber
and thick undergrowth” in that swampy area. Under the covering fire of
artillery and the other Federal infantry, four companies of the 3rd
Vermont burst from the wooded area of the pond around 1500 hrs.,
driving in the Tar Heel pickets, and taking up position at the line of
rifle pits. The 15th NC hastily formed line of battle and “advanced at
a double quick and a yell” toward the Vermonters, who replied with a
volley of musket fire. Col. McKinney was killed while leading the
regiment forward, shot through the forehead. The regiment was thrown in
“momentary confusion”. The officers rallied the companies and returned
to line. A firefight ensued for nearly two hours, as the Federals were
able to hold on behind the rifle pits. Before his death, Col. McKinney
had sent to Brig. Gen. Cobb to assistance, since he had thought the
Federals might be attacking in strength. Two companies of the 2nd La.
and attacked the Vermont troops on the left, while the nearby 7th Ga.,
of Anderson’s Brigade, attacked from the right. This force drove back
the four companies of the 3rd Vermont, who lost 83 men. At
approximately 1700, three Federal regiments, the 4th , 5th ,and 6th
Vermont, attacked toward “the rifle pits”, but were met with a “rapid,
galling and destructive fire” at a range “not exceeding 30 yards”.
Total Federal casualties were listed as between 165-183 killed and
wounded.
The 15th North Carolina had fought its first battle, losing 12 killed
and 31wounded. The regiment reorganized “for the war” on 2-3 May, now
commanded by Col. Henry Dowd. The regiment withdrew from the Warwick
River line on the night of 3-4 May as part of the rear guard, marching
back through the Williamsburg defenses, to New Kent Court House.
Impression Guidance
The 15th NCT was one of the early regiments to be deployed to Virginia,
and would have been armed, clothed and equipped with those items
available in the state during the first few months of the war and later
with CS issue items. Basically, if you don’t have NC/CS issue items,
then do without. State ordnance records show that the unit was armed
with “altered muskets” or “muskets”. Company M was issued “muskets”.
One frock coat identified to a 15th NCT soldier has survived, but the
dates of use are not known. Several images of soldiers of the 15th have
survived. There are no common items in these images except the use of a
dark forage cap with a convex visor, similar to that seen in other NC
images.
Of note is an image of Pvt. Stanley M. Riggsbee of the Chatham Rifles,
who was wounded at Dam No. 1 (ST&V, p. 295, 5.3.1) He is wearing
the forage cap mentioned above, with what appears to be an 8-pointed
star in the center of the crown. He wearing a light colored (gray?)
overshirt with a dark -colored placket, band collar, and left pocket
trim. Over this he appears to be wearing a civilian coat with a flat,
open collar, the collar being darker than the coat. Buttonholes on the
lapel may indicate that this is an overcoat. Pvt. W.H.H. Guthrie,
Company H, is shown wearing the dark forage cap with an unidentified
item on the center of the crown. He is clothed in a dark sack coat (not
an NC issue) or frock coat and light-colored trousers. He is armed with
a M1816 musket, converted to percussion, and a small pistol in his
belt. (ST&V, p. 38, 2.35).
All items should be appropriate to an early 1862 NC Confederate
regiment. Based on the descriptions of the conditions and duties, the
soldiers of the 15th NC would appear muddy/dirtier than “usual”. While
their uniforms were, no doubt, becoming worn from hard service in the
trenches, there are no accounts of the regiment being ragged,
barefooted, etc.
Hat/Cap: NC
kepi, NC forage cap with convex visor, military or civilian felt hat.
Shirt: NC
issue or civilian. No overshirts as outer garments.
Coat: NC
issue uniform coat, single breasted frock coat with NC buttons. NC
uniform coats should be unlined, as initial issue to the regiment was
complete before the “winterization” program commenced in fall, 1861,
when coats in stock were taken out and had a lining added. NC issue and
Richmond Type I jackets may be used, but they are discouraged. NO type
II/III, Tait, other styles of CS issue clothing.
Trousers:
NC or Richmond Depot styles
Shoes: CS.
English and US styles OK, but discouraged.
Socks: wool
or cotton
Drawers:
flannel or cotton
Overcoat:
NC or early CS issue only.
Weapon: M1842, M1816 percussion conversion or flintlock., with appropriate
bayonet
Ammunition: wrappers
should be Richmond/1861 for cal..69 or unmarked
Cartridge
Box/Sling: NC or CS
Cap Box: NC
or CS
Bayonet Scabbard: CS,
US pattern OK if no rivets present.
Waist Belt: NC
roller buckle, CS frame, forked tongue, plain brass rectangular belt
plate on black leather belt. (no English, white web, etc.)
Knapsack: CS “Kibbler” style or blanket rolls.
Oilcloth:
NC, CS oilcloth
Blanket: plain
wool military style, CS, early NC issue, civilian blankets, quilts,
coverlets, carpet blankets.
Canteen: CS
tin drum
Haversack: NC
or CS issue, plain white cotton styles. “Bailey” style discouraged, but
OK to replace Federal. No carpetbags, ticking stripes, etc.
Mess
Equipment: the usual items, but no US
canteen half plates.
Rations: salt
pork or beef, flour, cornmeal. Limit your amount of coffee, sugar,
dried fruit, fresh vegetables and meats.
Federal issue UWE: None, except as noted. Prior to 16 April 62, the
15th NC had no opportunity to obtain any Federal equipment or weapons,
so do not use any Federal issue weapons, equipment or uniform parts at
this event. Shoes, unmarked/no plate cartridge boxes, and bayonet
scabbards with no rivets can be used, but are not recommended. M1858
Canteens are completely wrong, but for basic safety bring it, if it is
the only one you have. Rubber blankets are not correct, either, but if
monsoons appear imminent, roll it up inside your blanket.
Imported UWE: Also, this is pretty early for English import items and
should be avoided. P-53 Enfields can be used, but are discouraged.
English shoes can be used , but are discouraged. As this is an early
war event, the NC-issue blanket is not appropriate. If you have no
alternative, you’ll have to use it…or do without. Please roll it up
with the “NC” inside. Avoid Isaac and Campbell knapsacks for this
event.
Civilian Items: Blankets, quilts, coverlets, carpet blankets are
permitted, as these items were collected during the winter of 1861-62
by the State for issue to NC troops. Avoid civilian coats and trousers,
but a few “homemade” military items are acceptable. Let’s not overdo
this aspect.