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A resource for those interested in the study of America's Civil War
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26th N.C. Regiment "Bravery And Determination" formed on August 27th, 1861
The 26th North Carolina Regiment started the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg with 800 men. By sunset, 588 of them were
either dead or wounded. Yelling like demons, they had courageously charged and taken the formidable federal position on
Seminary Ridge. Fourteen colorbearers in the 26th were shot down in succession. One of them was 21 year-old Henry King
Burgwyn, the youngest colonel in the Confederate army, who stained the flag with his blood as he fell wrapped in its folds. All 90
soldiers in the 26th's Company F had fallen.
Mustered into Confederate service on August 27, 1861, the 26th Regiment served its first 10 months in eastern North Carolina in
an undistinguished effort to contest the foothold made by the Union forces. On June 21, 1862, the regiment arrived at Petersburg,
VA., and became a part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Then began an association that lasted until the
regiment's flag was finally and forever furled at Appomattox. They participated in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war,
including Malvern Hill, Bristoe, and Spotsylvania; but it was Gettysburg that earned them a place in the Civil War record books.
After their disastrous first day at Gettysburg, the 26th was not utilized in the actions fought on the second day. But the third day of
the battle found the regiment charging under its battle flag across the fields to the federal position behind the stone wall on
Cemetery Ridge. Members of the 26th North Carolina advanced as far as any other of the Confederate troops that took part in
Pickett's charge, and like the rest, they paid a terrible price for their bravery and determination. Only 90 soldiers from the 26th
North Carolina were able to make their way back to the Confederate lines on Seminary Ridge. The Battle of Gettysburg claimed
as casualties 88 percent of the regiment, the highest percentage of casualties for any regiment, North or South, in any battle.
Fascinating Fact: Approximately 2,000 men served in the 26th North Carolina Regiment during the course of the war. Just 131 of
them were left to receive their paroles at Appomattox.
President directs Gen. Scott to state what can be done toward supplying officers for New Jersey regiments President and Sec.
Cameron sign order for purchase of mules at $8 each. Gen. Meigs objects to price as being too high. Band attached to Cameron
Rifles serenades President, who thanks them from balcony of White House.
Union forces take fortifications on Cape Hatteras
The 26th North Carolina Regiment started the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg with 800 men. By sunset, 588 of them were
either dead or wounded. Yelling like demons, they had courageously charged and taken the formidable federal position on
Seminary Ridge. Fourteen colorbearers in the 26th were shot down in succession. One of them was 21 year-old Henry King
Burgwyn, the youngest colonel in the Confederate army, who stained the flag with his blood as he fell wrapped in its folds. All 90
soldiers in the 26th's Company F had fallen.
Mustered into Confederate service on August 27, 1861, the 26th Regiment served its first 10 months in eastern North Carolina in
an undistinguished effort to contest the foothold made by the Union forces. On June 21, 1862, the regiment arrived at Petersburg,
VA., and became a part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Then began an association that lasted until the
regiment's flag was finally and forever furled at Appomattox. They participated in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war,
including Malvern Hill, Bristoe, and Spotsylvania; but it was Gettysburg that earned them a place in the Civil War record books.
After their disastrous first day at Gettysburg, the 26th was not utilized in the actions fought on the second day. But the third day of
the battle found the regiment charging under its battle flag across the fields to the federal position behind the stone wall on
Cemetery Ridge. Members of the 26th North Carolina advanced as far as any other of the Confederate troops that took part in
Pickett's charge, and like the rest, they paid a terrible price for their bravery and determination. Only 90 soldiers from the 26th
North Carolina were able to make their way back to the Confederate lines on Seminary Ridge. The Battle of Gettysburg claimed
as casualties 88 percent of the regiment, the highest percentage of casualties for any regiment, North or South, in any battle.
Fascinating Fact: Approximately 2,000 men served in the 26th North Carolina Regiment during the course of the war. Just 131 of
them were left to receive their paroles at Appomattox.
President directs Gen. Scott to state what can be done toward supplying officers for New Jersey regiments President and Sec.
Cameron sign order for purchase of mules at $8 each. Gen. Meigs objects to price as being too high. Band attached to Cameron
Rifles serenades President, who thanks them from balcony of White House.
Union forces take fortifications on Cape Hatteras