J. H. Miller, Captain Company A;
R. E. Wilson, Captain Company B;
Bryd Snow, Captian Company C;
R. A. Barrow, Captain Company D;
John W. Beard, Captain Company F;
Thos. B. Gentry,Captain Company G;
James H. Jones , Captain Company H;
Matthew C. Moore,Captain Company I;
John L. Pratt,Captain Company K;
John E. Gilmer, Captain Company M.

NOTE--The loss of this regiment in killed, wounded and dead was at least 75 per cent. from the beginning to the end of the war. Forty or more combats and skirmishes of no minor importance are nor included in this sketch and many incidents both instructive and amusing, might be given which would extend this paper to a much greater length, but the long list of names of wounded and killed speak more eloquently than tongue of the service of this regiment. I have avoided speaking of incidents connected with other commands, but have endeavored to confine myself to the deeds of the Twenty-First Regiment only. I have written what I saw or knew of my own personal knowledge and from information received from reliable and official sources.

 
SPECIAL MENTION--Mathew Chamberlain, private, Twenty-First North Carolina Regiment, Stokes county, never had a furlough, never missed a battle in which his regiment was engaged, never received a wound. He died in 1896. Strange to say there is no report of Company L in Moore's roster.

 The conduct of Lieutenant Logan T. Whitlock, who was in command of the sharpshooters at the battle of Plymouth, cannot be too highly commended, and should not be omitted. It was ascertained that to make an assault upon the main fort the command would have to charge across a perfectly level and open field, which could not be done without great loss. At this critical time, where "to hesitate was to be lost," Whitlock volunteered to reconnoitre within the enemies lines. He found that he could go into the town and get behind and close up to the enemy's fortifications by crawling along the bank of the river. The brigade followed Whitlock and his sharpshooters. After coming into position, near the fort, the attack was made and with the help of the Confedrate Ram "Albemarle," the enemy immediately surrendered.

 I wish to recall another incident worthy of observation of all ages. Lieutenant P. A. Oaks lost his arm at Cold Harbor. Some months after, he came to the regiment at Fisher's Hill. When he arrived, the regiment was on the line and under fire, and against the appeals of officers and men, he persisted in going into the fight. After fighting all the evening he was finally shot through the left breast. In a month or so Oaks was back with his regiment again, saying it was too lonesome to stay at home. The night before we engaged the enemy in the battles around Richmond, Private H. C. Walser, who was less than 18 years old, had his foot and ankle badly scalded. He was left in the camps, excused by the surgeon, but soon after the firing commenced, Walser made his appearance bare-footed and went through the whole battle, in bamboo briers and mud and water up to the knees.

 In conclusion, I cannot do better than to quote an extract from an address mad by Colonel Chas. S. Venable, of General Lee's staff: "Comrades! we need not weave any fable, borrowed from Scandinavian lore into the woof of our history, to inspire our youth with admiration of glorious deeds in freedom's battles done! In the true history of this Army of Northern Virginia which laid down it's arms--not conquered but wearied with Victory, you have a record of deeds of Valor, of unselfish consecration to duty, and faithfulness in death which will teach our sons, and son's sons how to die for liberty. Let us see to it that it shall be transmitted to them."

 

JAMES F. BEALL

Linwood, N.C.
9 April, 1901

Additional Sketch of the Twenty-First North Carolina Regiment by Lieutenant L. E. Powers, Company A