72nd North Carolina Infantry

Riley is buried at Bethleham Methodist Church in Statesville, N. C. He was captured at Ft. Fisher, N. C. December 25 1865 and imprisoned at Point Lookout, Md. for the duration. His grandson had a brass plate placed at his grave with his unit in the Confederate States Army on it. My maternal grandmother Eula Bost Absher was his youngest child born in 1893.

Born 1848 – He was conscripted on Jun 1, 1864 in the 7th NCJR. On Oct 31, 1864 he was admitted to General Hospital No 4 and 5 Wilmington NC for anasarca (malnutrition/protein deficiency). He was granted 21 days sick leave. The 7th Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserves was consolidated with the 4th and 8th Infantry Battalions, Junior Reserves, and designated as the 72nd Infantry Regiment (3rd NC Junior Reserves) at Wilmington, NC on 3 January 1865. Parents: • John Melvin Reeves 1812 - 1894 son of Robert Reeves, son of Jane E Reeves daughter of Daniel James Melvin Sr. • Elizabeth A. Rivenbark 1815

He was born on Jan 27, 1847 in Stokes County, he stood 5’ 7 1/2”, had a fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes and was a farmer. He mustered in on May 27, 1864 and elected Captain. He was admitted to CSA General Hospital No 4, Wilmington NC on Aug 26, 1864 for Febris Remittens (Typhoid fever) and furloughed on Sep 10, 1864. He was admitted to CSA General Hospital No 4, Wilmington NC on Sep 21, 1864 for Bronchitis and given a 21-day furlough to Walnut Grove, Stokes County, NC. He was admitted to CSA General Hospital, No. 3, Greensboro NC on Jan 24, 1865 for Syphilis Primaria and returned to duty on Feb 2, 1865. He was admitted to CSA General Hospital, No. 3, Greensboro NC on Feb 10, 1865 for Syphilis Primaria and transferred to Pettigrew General Hospital No. 13, Raleigh NC on Feb 11, 1865 and issued new clothing on Mar 11 and transferred on Mar 13, 1865.

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William was born 5 March 1844 in Burke County, NC. The 1860 census has him at 14 years old in in that county. The Post Office is at Morganton. He enlisted 17 May 1864 in the 8th Battalion of local defense force for Burke and Caldwell Counties. Enlisted at Camp Vance by Major McLean for the war. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches, with light hair, fair complexion with blue eyes. On 5 Sept he is transferred to regular service. The 8th was organized at Morganton with 3 companies 4th, 7th & 8th, Battalion Junior Reserves. Co A - Iredell County, Co B - Catawba County, & Co. C - Burke and Caldwell Counties. The roster for the 8th named 373 men. They were consolidated at Wilmington, NC 3 Jan 1865 and designated as the 72nd Regiment [3rd Junior Reserves] They saw action at Fort Fisher, Kinston, Smithfield, Goldsboro, Bentonville, NC. William died 3 July 1916 in Cleveland Co NC and is buried at Lee's Chapel UMC Cem. at Polkville, in the aforementioned county. We are related by marriage.

IN 1864, JOHN ENLISTED IN COMPANY C OF THE 4TH BATTALION,N.C. JUNIOR RESERVES. IN EARLY 1865, THE 4TH,7TH AND 8TH BATTALIONS WERE CONSOLIDATED TO FORM THE 3RD REGIMENT,N.C. JUNIOR RESERVES.THIS REGIMENT WAS ALSO KNOWN AS THE 72ND N.C. TROOPS

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Enlisted as a 17 year old in 1864. Served originally in Company B, 8th Battalion, NC Junior Reserves. Transferred to Company E January 3, 1865. Escaped capture at Fort Fisher. Served at Bentonville.

Sain, Rufus A., Private Company E, 3rd North Carolina Junior Reserves (72nd North Carolina Infantry) Rufus A. Sain enlisted on October 1, 1864 in Company E of the 72nd NC Regiment according to documents at the Lincoln County Library. He was captured at Fort Fisher, NC on Christmas Day 1864 and imprisoned at Point Lookout. MD. Born: July 4, 1847 in Lincoln Co., NC Died: May 17, 1924 Buried: Trinity Lutheran, Vale, NC Married: Frances C. Yount Children: 4 Occupation: unknown

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May 30, 1847 – May 18, 1879. He stood 5’ 6”, light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, and was a farmer. He was conscripted on June 1st 1864 in the 7th NCJR, Company C. By Special Order No.277, A. and I.G.O., dated Nov 22, 1864, the 7th Battalion became part of the 3rd NCJR and Company C became Company I. On January 3, 1865, while at Camp McLean at Goldsboro, NC, the 7th Battalion was reorganized into the 3rd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves Parents: • David Bunyan Melvin Sr. 1819 - 1907. Son of Robert Melvin, son of Daniel James Melvin Jr., son of Daniel James Melvin Sr. • Annie Davis - August 14, 1827 and died January 14, 1917.

May 30, 1847 – May 18, 1879. He stood 5’ 6”, light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, and was a farmer. He was conscripted on June 1st 1864 in the 7th NCJR, Company C. By Special Order No.277, A. and I.G.O., dated Nov 22, 1864, the 7th Battalion became part of the 3rd NCJR and Company C became Company I. On January 3, 1865, while at Camp McLean at Goldsboro, NC, the 7th Battalion was reorganized into the 3rd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves Parents: • Daniel Melvin born about1822, and died before 1860. Son of Robert Melvin, son of John Thomas Melvin, son of Daniel James Melvin • Barbara McCall She was born February 18, 1821

May 7, 1846/47 - Mar 14, 1918. He was conscripted at age 17, he stood 5’ 6’, had a light complexion, light brown hair, and blue eyes, and on June 21, 1864 he reported at Camp Lamb near Wilmington, NC in the 7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (around 300 men), Company C as a private under the command of Captain Donald McQueen (died Jun 64) with 1st Lieutenant Angus B. McCallum (took command), 2nd Lieutenant Alexander C. McFadyen, and 3rd Lieutenant Stephen A. Barfield. Camp Lamb provided housing for recruits and troops stationed in batteries and forts defending Wilmington, the Cape Fear River, and Fort Fisher. Named for Colonel William Lamb, commander of Fort Fisher. He spent July 3 to December 9, 1864 garrisoned in Smithfield (now Southport NC). It camped in a beautiful grove of live oaks back of the town. Here it did its full share of guard and picket duty under the command of Brigadier General Hebert, an old officer who had served with distinction in Mexico and had been Governor of Louisiana. The battalion remained at Smithville until 9 December when, with the Fourth and Eighth Battalions, all under Colonel Jackson, it moved to Belfield, Virginia, to repel a federal raid. On Dec 9, 1864, with the 4th NC Battalion-Junior Reserves and 8th NC Battalion-Junior Reserves, all under the command of Colonel George C. Jackson, they moved to Belfield, Virginia, to repel a federal raid. The four battalions assembled in Wilmington from Sugar Loaf and Smithville. Through the efforts of Major French, the troops were here shod. They were placed on flat cars and thus exposed, were transported to Weldon. The weather was intensely cold. More than once the train had to be stopped, fires made in the woods and some of the boys lifted from the train and carried to the fires and thawed out. Many went to sleep in their wet clothes to find them frozen stiff upon awakening. This suffering was undergone without a murmur. He saw action at Belfield (now Emporia) Virginia (Stony Creek Raid / Hicksford Raid) December 10th – 11th, 1864 defending the Weldon Rail Road. His unit left Virginia for Tarboro / Hamilton NC to repel a Union raid form Washington NC. From Belfield the four battalions, together with the First and Second Regiments of Junior Reserves, were ordered, under Colonel Leventhorpe, to Tarboro to repel a Federal raid from Washington, N. C. The command moved to Hamilton, some miles below Tarboro. The enemy retired upon the advance of the Confederate troops. The battalions remained there a day or two and returned to Tarboro. The troops camped about a mile northeast of the town for several days. The boys were without overcoats, tents, or tent flies, and lay upon the bare ground in the rain and sleet and snow. Many of them were frost bitten. A good old farmer alongside of whose fence the boys camped on the first night of their stay, kindly gave them leave to start their fires by using the top rail of his fence. When he came back next morning there was not a rail to be seen. When he protested with some warmth, saying that they had taken more than he had given them leave to take, one wag said: “No, sir; as long as there was a top rail, we had your permission to burn it. We never took any but the top rail.” The old man laughed good naturedly and left. They spent a few days in Tarboro and the command was marched from Tarboro to Goldsboro and from there conveyed by train to Wilmington, and thence back to Sugar Loaf line. There they remained under the command of General W. W. Kirkland until the battle of Fort Fisher. The severity of the experience of the Reserves on the Belfield expedition may be realized when it is stated that over one-half of them were sent to the hospital when the battalions returned to Wilmington. He saw action in the First Battle of Fort Fisher December 24-27, 1864 while with the 7th Junior Reserves. On the 24th, General Whiting directed General Kirkland to send these battalions to Battery Buchanan, there to take boat for Bald Head and relieve Colonel J. J. Hedrick and his seasoned veterans, in order that they might reinforce Fort Fisher. They marched soon after midnight through Fort Fisher to Battery Buchanan, on the extreme end of the peninsula. In the darkness, many of the boys while passing through the fort, stumbled into the holes which were made in every direction by the shells. All the battalions arrived at Fort Buchanan before day. The boat which was to carry them to Bald Head could not make a landing on account of the tide, whereupon Captain Bristol early in the morning reported in person the situation to Colonel Lamb, who ordered the Juniors into the Fort. Between Fort Buchanan and Fort Fisher is a clear, open beach, upon which a partridge could not hide himself, over which they must pass in full view of the fleet. As soon as the march began the fleet poured upon the command a terrific discharge of shot and shell. The first one killed at Fort Fisher was private Davis, of French’s Battalion of Juniors, who on this march was cut in two by a large shell. Another private was severely wounded by the same shell. Nothing but the poor practice of the fleet saved the boys from utter destruction on this perilous march. When they reached Fort Fisher a scene of desolation met their gaze. The barracks had been destroyed and the interior of the fort was honeycombed by holes in the ground large enough to bury an ox team, made by the huge shells from the fleet. French’s battalion and as many of the others as could be accommodated, were placed in the already over-crowded bomb-proofs. Those who could not obtain protection here were carried by Major Reece to the breastworks at Camp Wyatt, three miles above the fort. The gunboats soon discovered their presence there and enfiladed the trenches with a terrific fire. The boys sought shelter under the banks of the river, where they spent the day listening to the music of the great guns of the fleet and watching the great shells as they passed over them into the river—a grand, but not a very engaging spectacle. On the 25th, Upon the approach of the enemy, the Junior Reserves sprang to the parapet of the land face which was swept by the guns of the fleet, and by a well-directed fire, delivered with a coolness which could not be excelled, they repelled the attack. One little fellow from Columbus County, whose name is not remembered, being too small to shoot over the parapet, mounted a cannon and fired from there as coolly as if he were shooting squirrels, until he fell wounded. About dusk the Reserves were ordered to the palisades in front of the parapet and immediately under the guns of the fort, where they remained till morning. The guns of the fort were discharged over their heads. The rain was descending in torrents. That night the Federals re-embarked most of their men. General Whiting in his report says: “Colonel Tansill was ordered to the command of the land front. The gallant Major Reilly, with his battalion and Junior Reserves, poured cheering, over the parapet and through the sallyport to the palisades. The enemy had occupied the redoubt (an unfinished fort) and advanced into the port garden. A fire of grape and musketry checked any further advance. The garrison continued to man the out-works and channel batteries throughout the night, exposed to a pelting storm and occasionally exchanging musket shots with the enemy. The fire had been maintained for seven hours and a half with unremitting rapidity.” Colonel William Lamb, “At 4:30 p. m., 25 December, a most terrific fire against the land face and palisades in front commenced, unparalleled in severity. Admiral Porter estimated it at 130 shot and shell per minute. The parapet and the guns were manned by regulars and the Junior Reserves. “During the night the rain fell in torrents, wetting the troops and their arms, but it did not dampen their spirits nor interfere with their efficiency. The troops were complimented in general orders by General Bragg for their heroism and gallantry. The heaviest loss suffered by any one command in the fort was by the Junior Reserves On December 26th, the Reserves were moved to camp on Bald Head Island, where they remained on guard and picket duty for several days when they were ordered to Camp McLean at Goldsboro, NC. On January 3, 1865, while at Camp McLean at Goldsboro, NC, the 7th Battalion was reorganized into the 3rd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves (commanded by 1st Lieutenant Angus B. McCallum) and he was assigned to Company I. While at Camp McLean, near Goldsboro, the regiment was ordered to Halifax to repel another Federal raid. It remained there only a day or two, the enemy having withdrawn. It returned to Goldsboro where it remained drilling and doing guard duty until the last of January. He was admitted to the hospital on Jan 4, 1865 for catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membranes in the throat and nose, which causes an increased flow of mucus and was treated with creosote) and furloughed Jan 14, 1865. He was then hospitalized at General Hospital No 12, aka Court House Hospital in Greensboro, NC. He returned to Duty on May 2, 1865 at Bush Hill NC (now Archdale), with what remained of the 3rd NC Regiment Junior Reserves and was paroled under the terms of The Army of the Tennessee in Greensboro, NC. Parents: • Andrew Turner Melvin Born Mar 3, 1803 and died Sep 15, 1878. Farmer with 1000 acres. Son of John Thomas Melvin Sr., son of Daniel James Melvin Sr. • Nancy A. Tatum Born Jan 17, 1812 and died Jul 4, 1874.

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May 30, 1847 – 1915, He stood 5’ 6”, had a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, and was a farmer. He was conscripted on Jun 1, 1864 in the 7th Battalion NCJR, Company C. On Aug 13, 1864 he was given 60 days sick leave. He shows on 6th Division General Hospital Camp Winder Richmond VA on Dec 17, 1864 morning report as returning to duty on Dec 16, 1864. By Special Order No.277, A. and I.G.O., dated Nov 22, 1864, the 7th Battalion became part of the 3rd NCJR and Company C became Company I. On January 3, 1865, while at Camp McLean at Goldsboro, NC, the 7th Battalion was reorganized into the 3rd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves. Parents: • John Smith • Sarah Jane Smith, daughter of John Thomas Melvin, son of Daniel James Melvin