We have decided to portray a North
Carolina infantry company for the “Grant vs. Lee” event in June
1999. The company we have selected is Company K, 38th Regiment,
North Carolina Troops -nicknamed “The Carolina Boys” - which originally
came from Cumberland County, NC. The purpose of this brief essay
it to provide some background on this unit, some notes on supply and
ordnance issues in Company K and the Regiment, and some
suggestions on preparing a North Carolina infantry impression for this
period.
Background
Captain Murdock McLauchlin’s Company, North Carolina Volunteers was
raised in the Longstreet Church community of Cumberland County, NC (now
part of the Fort Bragg military reservation) and entered state service
on 7 Feb 61 as Company K, 38th Regiment of North Carolina Troops.
The 38th NCT was transferred to Confederate service on 1 April 62 and
moved to Virginia. The regiment was assigned to William
Dorsey Pender’s Brigade of A.P. Hill’s “Light Division” and would
remain part of this organization until the Lee’s surrender in
1865. (After Pender’s death at Gettysburg, Alfred Scales would
assume command of the Brigade.) As an element of the 38th NCT,
“The Carolina Boys” of Company K would remain with the Army of Northern
Virginia and fight in every campaign from the Seven Days to
Appomattox.
Overview of 38th
NCT Operations, May-June 1864
The Wilderness. In action as part of Scales’ Brigade near the
Chewning house and the Widow Tapp farm, and along Poplar Run south of
the Orange Plank Road, where they became separated from the brigade and
fought as part of Lane’s NC brigade.
Spotsylvania. In position along the lower right flank of the
Salient. In support of Lane’s Brigade, Scales’ brigade
counterattacked up into the right side of the “Mule Shoe” position
during the afternoon of 12 May, then returned to its original position
after the battle. Participated in the movement to contact on 21
May to determine the Federal dispositions.
North Anna Line: With brigade, engaged Federal V Corps units at
Jericho Mills, 23 May.
Cold Harbor. Participated in Breckinridge’s successful assault on
Turkey Hill, then moved to a position with the brigade on the far
right flank of the Confederate line, near the Chickahominy River.
No direct role in repulsing the Federal attacks on 3 June.
Personnel Strength
By the opening of the Battle of the Wilderness, Company K was much
reduced from two years of campaigning, and was particularly hard hit,
with the remainder of the Regiment, during the first and third days’
combat at Gettysburg. The Regiment went into winter quarters
“near Orange Court House” in November to rest and prepare for the
coming Spring campaign. The company was mustered on 30
April and the surviving muster roll provides a detailed look at the
company only days before the Battle of the Wilderness began. On
30 April 64, Company K had a strength of 2 officers and 43 enlisted
men, but could muster only 1 officer and 21 enlisted men present for
duty on 30 April. The remainder were convalescents detailed to
hospital service, prisoners of war, sick, or AWOL. The company
was commanded by its only officer present, brevet 2nd Lieutenant John
F. McArthur, The company received 9 recruits between 29 February and 30
April 64. Company K would lose 2 killed, 5 wounded (2 mortally), and 1
captured during the battles of May-June 1864. (Source: K/38 NCT Muster
and Pay Roll, 29 Feb-30Apr 64)
Company Strength: 45
1- 2LT
1- bvt 2LT
5 - Sergeants
2 - Corporals
36 - Privates
Present for Duty: 22
1 Officer (bvt 2LT)
2 Sergeants (3rd Sgt, 4th Sgt)
2 Corporals (1st Cpl, 2nd Cpl)
17 privates
Absent: 23
Leave - 2
Sick/hospital - 1
Hospital Detail - 7 (includes the 1st Sgt)
POW - 8 (includes 1 officer and 1 NCO)
Paroled POW - 2
AWOL – 1
Deserted – 2
Supply and
Ordnance Notes
Although far from complete, we have a fair picture of the supply
and ordnance status of the Regiment on the eve of the campaign.
Unfortunately, there is no information on the distribution of the
weapons and equipment down to the individual companies, but there is
some data on the clothing issues. For comparison,
here is the personnel strength of the 38th NCT on 30 April 1864
(Source: 38th NCT Muster and Pay Rolls, 29 Feb-30Apr 64):
Regiment: Aggregate: 487 (36 Off/451
EM) Present for Duty: 295
(21Off/274 EM)
Present for duty by Company
A: 29 (1/28) D: 30 (3/27) G: 24
(2/22) K: 22: (1/21)
B: 31 (1/30) E: 24 (1/23) H: 29
(1/29) Field and Staff: 10 (7/3)
C: 31 (1/30) F: 34 (2/32) I:
32 (1/31)
The numbers of men present for duty changed frequently as the
sick/wounded returned to duty, others got sick, soldiers returned from
extra duties, etc. so the muster roll data is a close approximation of
daily strength. The extra duty men in the regiment, which were
not present for duty with the companies, had a variety of assignments,
including “Regimental teamster”, “Division teamster”, “teamster
with Col. Baldwin’s trains”, “Division pioneer”, and several were
assigned to Brigade and Division headquarters. The most common
was “detached for hospital service”, which was a means to employ
convalescents on light duty…and this probably included a few goldbricks
looking for a break from the picket line.
COL Hoke compiled “A List of Casualties in 38th NCT From 5th May to
20th June 1864” in which he listed 128 total losses -11 killed, 68
wounded, and 49 missing. Some of the wounded would later die and
those listed as “missing” were actually prisoners of war. COL
John Ashford, who commanded the Regiment in COL Hoke’s absence during
May 1864, assumed command of the regiment in June when Hoke was
invalided . He prepared a report on 30 June showing the ordnance
lost/expended from 5 May to 22 June 1864. The casualty figures
and the numbers of items “lost and expended” are close, but clearly do
not match. The balance of the losses would have to come from
soldiers present in the ranks with discarded or unserviceable items.
“Ordnance and Ordnance Stores lost and
expended in the battles of Wilderness 5”&6” Spotsylvania C.H.
14” &21st , and Noles Station 23d
of May - and Riddles Shops 14th and Wilcox’s farm 22d June
1864”
| Guns Cal .58 |
152 |
| Ball-screws |
46 |
| Bayonets |
180 |
| Screw-drivers |
52 |
| Cartridge Boxes |
149 |
| Wipers |
111 |
| Cartridge Box Belts |
145 |
| Vises |
8 |
| Waist Belts |
175 |
| Cones |
20 |
| Bayonet Scabbards |
223 |
| Gun-wrenches |
0 |
| Cap Pouches |
160 |
| Tompions |
41 |
| Frogs |
10 |
| Gun Slings |
150 |
| Knapsacks |
86 |
| Gun Sling Buckles |
10 |
| Haversacks |
148 |
| Musket Caps |
20,180 |
| Canteens and Straps |
22,543 |
Source: CSR, COL John Ashford, Cdr 38th NCT, report dated 30 June
1864
Issues of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores
to 38th NCT, July 1863 – June 1864
Issued to 38th NCT by LT. G.F. Bason, Bde Ord Officer
|
31 Jul 63 |
28 Aug
63 |
29 Sep 63 |
4 June
64 |
30 June 64 |
Total |
| Rifle Musket cal 58, complete |
20 |
9 |
14 |
|
|
43 |
| Rifle Muskets cal 58 |
|
|
|
167 |
9 |
176 |
| Rifles cal 58 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
| Smooth Bore Muskets cal 69,complete |
15 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
| Smooth Bore Muskets, cal 69 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
30 |
| Bayonets |
|
|
|
129 |
|
129 |
| Cartridge Boxes |
39 |
35 |
16 |
141 |
8 |
239 |
| Cartridge Box Belts |
34 |
45 |
15 |
139 |
5 |
238 |
| Waist Belts |
33 |
41 |
18 |
148 |
10 |
250 |
| Bayonet Scabbards |
38 |
26 |
19 |
159 |
6 |
248 |
| Cap Pouches |
40 |
25 |
18 |
149 |
12 |
234 |
| Frogs |
|
8 |
5 |
|
2 |
15 |
| Ball Screws |
8 |
31 |
6 |
25 |
|
70 |
| Screw Drivers |
8 |
26 |
1 |
18 |
13 |
66 |
| Wipers |
7 |
24 |
1 |
22 |
20 |
74 |
| Tompions |
|
3 |
5 |
56 |
2 |
66 |
| Gun Wrenches |
|
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
| Vises-Spring Vises |
|
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
7 |
| Cones |
|
4 |
2 |
|
|
6 |
| Gun Slings |
|
|
118 |
|
|
118 |
| Gun Sling Buckles |
|
|
|
10 |
|
10 |
| Haversacks |
|
39 |
20 |
61 |
10 |
130 |
| Knapsacks |
|
26 |
12 |
|
|
38 |
| Canteens |
|
14 |
31 |
|
|
45 |
| Canteens with Straps |
|
|
|
26 |
21 |
47 |
| Cartridges, cal 58 |
1,210 |
1,120 |
920 |
20,611 |
3,829 |
27,690 |
| Cartridges, cal 69 |
900 |
1,430 |
520 |
|
|
2,850 |
| Musket Caps |
|
|
255 |
20,800 |
3,941 |
24,996 |
Source: CSR, LT G.F. Bason, Ord
Officer, Scales’ Bde; CSR,
COL W.F. Hoke, Cdr, 38 NCT
The lack of any expended Cal..69 ammunition on COL Ashford’s report and
the fact that none of that caliber was resupplied in June indicates
that the Regiment went into the battles in May and June without the
Cal..69 muskets issued after Gettysburg. There are no ordnance
reports or other receipts that provide any information on weapons or
equipment at company level, but the Ashford and Bason reports indicate
“Guns Cal..58” as the standard weapon in the regiment.
Clothing and
Equipment
Company K suffered, with the other companies of the regiment, from a
lack of regular supply to replace unserviceable clothing. The
clothing that was issued was enough to meet the basic
requirements, but was not in abundance, as the chart below shows.
The 38th NCT received a supply of clothing between 8 October and 29
November 1863, but not in sufficient quantities to provide new items
for all. Company K received a portion of that issue and obtained
some additional clothing between December 1863 and March 1864.
During the 29 February muster, the inspector, a “Lt D. Montgomery”
rated the military appearance of the company as “Good, considering the
quality & style of the clothing furnished.” Those present for
duty would be those issued clothing while soldiers on leave, in
hospital, AWOL, detached service away from the company, etc, probably
would not. The recruits who joined the company in the Feb-April
period probably came with government clothing. For
comparison, here is the personnel strength of the company at the
required musters during this period:
31 Oct 63 - 31 Dec 63: Aggregate –
27 Present for Duty-
10 (Clothing rated “Inferior”)
31 Dec 63 - 29 Feb 64: Aggregate – 36
Present for Duty-
13
(Clothing rated “Fair”)
29 Feb 64 - 30 Apr 64: Aggregate – 42
Present for Duty-
22 (Clothing rated “Fair”)
If we accept the highest number of enlisted men “present for duty” (21)
as a figure for comparison, then the chart shows that each soldier in
the company received a basic uniform and shoes (less a few jackets)
during the winter, but not all in one issue. Blankets, caps, and
overcoats apparently were in short supply.
Clothing Issues to Company K, 38th
NCT Oct 63 – Mar 64
| Clothing Items |
1863
|
1864 |
| Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Mar |
|
| 8 |
26 |
28 |
2 |
15 |
19 |
29 |
29 |
8 |
24 |
31 |
31
|
Total |
| Jacket |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
|
6 |
16 |
| Pants |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
4 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
|
6 |
36 |
| Shirt |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
5 |
|
5 |
|
4 |
27 |
| Drawers |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
7 |
|
1 |
23 |
| Shoes |
|
3 |
|
2 |
2 |
|
7 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
8 |
30 |
| Socks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
6 |
|
5 |
|
2 |
22 |
| Overcoat |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
| Blanket |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
9 |
|
2 |
1 |
|
13 |
| Cap |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
Source: CSR, CPT W.R. Edwards AQM, 38 NCT; CSR, LT John McArthur,
K/38 NCT; 38 NCT Muster and Pay Rolls, Field and Staff file
Re-creating the
1864 “Carolina Boys”
As the Tar Heel regiments in the Army of Northern Virginia faced
another year on campaign, the North Carolina “home department”
struggled to produce the clothing for its soldiers. The State of
North Carolina undertook to provide clothing to its troops in an 1862
arraignment with the CS War Department, which remained in effect
throughout the war. Governor Vance, through the dogged
application of “States’ Rights” and strict supervision of the State’s
economy, had managed to push supply ahead of demand in early
1864. Domestic production and the arrival of imports permitted
the State to continue to provide the clothing to its troops and
establish a reserve. It is evident from the issues to Company K
during the winter of ‘63-’64, that the State was able to meet the basic
needs of its soldiers. This resupply effort did not, however,
extend to weapons and equipment. After issue of these items from
State stocks upon the initial organization of a regiment, the State
provided very little, if any, individual equipment (blankets are a
“clothing” item) and no resupply of weapons or accouterments once the
unit entered Confederate service. The Confederate government
provided these items to NC troops as needed, as it did to the troops
from the other Confederate States.
The look we want to portray is that of veteran North Carolina
troops, resupplied during winter 1863-64 by the State and the CS
Army. Obviously, it will not be a homogenous appearance, but
should reflect some standardization based on documented issues of
clothing and equipment. This resupply combined with convalescents
returning from the hospital with replacement clothing, new recruits
into the company, and serviceable items from previous issues created a
random pattern of uniformity within the company. There would be
“clusters” of soldiers in the company wearing similar items, such as
jackets or trousers, of the same pattern and made from the same type
and color of fabric. This would also apply to other clothing
items as well, such as shoes and shirts. If you and a few
messmates with appropriate similar items get together and wear them to
the event, we will come close to achieving this appearance.
With this information in mind, we can create an accurate portrayal of
the NC soldier in Spring, 1864 using many of the Confederate items we
already have. Our desire is, as always, to present the most
accurate “common issue” appearance we can. But before we continue, a
few notes concerning a few things some of us normally like to use…
Civilian Clothing: Generally, avoid the use of civilian items.
Remember that the folks at home in NC were hurting for clothing as much
as the soldiers due to Governor Vance’s absolute control of the
domestic cloth and yarn supply in the State. They had little to
spare for “Somebody’s Darling” in Virginia. Also, remember that
the area of the winter camps in Virginia was “picked over” by this
point in the War and had little to offer in the way of any supplies.
Civilian clothing, quilts, coverlets, blankets, overcoats, “homemade” uniforms, etc. would not have been common.
Federal Clothing: Avoid use of captured Federal clothing. After
the Mine Run operations and picketing along the Rappahannock, most
items captured in Pennsylvania would have been pretty much worn out and
would have been replaced with State or CS clothing by the Spring
1864.
Drill Manual:
Mr. Gilham’s tome is retired for this event…we’ll be
using the “revised and improved” Hardee’s Tactics, 1862 NC printing.
Uniform
Jacket:
Obviously the “NC Depot” type should predominate, chiefly
of gray jeans. “Richmond Depot Type II” jackets are acceptable, as some
may have been issued to convalescents in Richmond hospitals and some
“emergency” issues to those in need. A few Tait jackets will be
allowed, but are discouraged, since the bulk of the small amount of
“ready-to-wear” uniforms purchased by the State were apparently still
in storage in Raleigh in May 1864. There is no evidence so far
that these items came from the Tait factory, but it seems logical since
the State purchased goods through Alexander Collie and Co., who
acquired clothing from Peter Tait for the CS QM Department on other
contracts. On the NC issue jackets, buttons may be either “state
seal” or “sunburst” patterns; the latter probably more common at this
stage of the war. No frock coats, NC or CS sack coats, western depot
issue garments or captured Federal items.
Trousers:
“Richmond Depot”, “MacRae”, and “Confederate” patterns
are acceptable. Gray jeans preferred, satinette permitted. (leave
that brown jeans to the Yellowhammers). No Federal Issue
trousers.
Shirt:
“Holliday”, “MacRae” or other Confederate patterns
appropriate to ANV in 1864, of the usual fabrics.
Drawers:
flannel or cotton
Shoes: CS or English import types preferred, Federal issue is
acceptable. Boots on NC infantry soldiers in 1864 were probably
very uncommon, so leave them at home for this event.
Socks:
cotton or wool
Hats/Caps: the usual CS items, but stick with common items, plain caps,
etc. A few “NC issue” black felt hats would be a nice touch.
While in their 1864 image the Spach boys are “high-profiling” in their
hat-cords, not all of us should be wearing them.
Overcoat: Hell, it’s June…but it you must, captured Federal
issue, CS import styles.
Weapons
Cal..58 Rifle Muskets. M1861 or Richmond preferred; P1853
Enfields are acceptable, although no “Cal..57” weapons or ammunition
are listed as lost or replaced. Bayonets appropriate to the
weapon used. No bayonet is acceptable for a few in the ranks.
Cartridges and ammunition packages should be of a type appropriate to
ANV issue in Spring 1864, mainly the Richmond Arsenal. As
seen from Col. Ashford’s report and the replacements issued, the
majority of the weapons in the 38th NCT were Cal..58 rifle muskets. Use
of Cal..69 muskets is discouraged for this event, as the Ashford report
shows no .69 ammunition expended in action. The limited
post-Gettysburg issue of Cal..69 muskets to the regiment must have been
a temporary expedient. Returns also show no use of Austrian
rifles, other foreign muskets, any rifles, shotguns, etc.
Accouterments
Cartridge/Cap
Boxes: Any CS issue styles appropriate to NC ANV units,
Spring 1864, captured Federal items appropriate to 1863-early
1864 permitted. CS “russet”/natural leather, painted cloth boxes
discouraged.
Bayonet Scabbards:
Any CS issue styles appropriate to NC ANV units,
Spring 1864, captured Federal items appropriate to 1863-early 1864
permitted.
Waist Belt:
Any CS issue styles appropriate to NC ANV units, Spring
1864; avoid early-war, Federal, or civilian items.
Individual
Equipment
Blanket:
NC issue (now’s the time, boys!), any CS issue styles
appropriate to ANV units, Spring 1864, captured Federal. Avoid
use of quilts, coverlets, and other civilian blankets.
Rubber
Blanket/Oilcloth/Poncho: US or CS types.
Knapsack: CS Kibbler/Johnson style, Isaac and Campbell,
captured Federal issue double-bag. No western issue or early war
items.
Shelter Half:
captured Federal issue, if carried.
Haversack:
CS “Richmond” or “Sketchbook” styles in plain cotton,
captured Federal issue permitted. No western issue items, carpet-bag/oddball haversacks.
Canteen:
CS issue tin drum (WVM item if possible), Gardner type,
captured Federal issue. US leather sling, CS leather, cotton or webbing
slings. Nuckolls, filter, foreign, and other oddball CS types
discouraged.
Mess Equipment: The usual tin cups, flatware, plates, and canteen
halves, English mess kits. No mess pans, skillets, spiders… all those traps are in the rear on a wagon at Orange Court House.
Personal items: Appropriate to an NC soldier in the ANV,
1863-early 1864.
Notes on Sources:
The information on the 38th NCT in this article
was taken from the standard sources: Clark’s NC Regts, Vols I and
II, and NC Troops: a Roster, Vol X. The compiled service records for
the officers in the Company K provided the information from the Form
40s, especially that of Lt. John McArthur, and the CSR of the Regt AQM
W. Edwards. The muster roll data for the company is from
surviving documents at NARA in DC. The CSRs for Col. John Ashford
and Lt. George Bason contained the ordnance information for the
regiment during this period.
Additional information on the regiment came from Col. William Hoke’s
Organization and Movements of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment North Carolina
Troops January 17 1862-June 28, 1864 (Southern Historical Collection,
UNC-CH).
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