51st Regiment, North Carolina Infantry
Historical Notes:
The North Carolina 51st Infantry Regiment was organized at Wilmington, North Carolina, in April, 1862, with men recruited in the counties of Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin, Columbus, Robeson, and New Hanover. It was assigned to General Clingman's Brigade and served under him
for the duration of the war. After fighting at Goldsboro , it moved to the Charleston area and was prominent in the defense of Battery Wagner. The 51st was then ordered to Virginia, participated in the battle
s at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor , and endured the hardships of the Petersburg siege south and north of the James River. Returning to North Carolina, it saw action at Bentonville . On July 18, 1863, this regiment lost 16 killed and 52 wounded at Battery Wagner and in August contained 374 effectives. In May, 1864, it
contained 1,100 men, and in October there were 145 present. During that time the 51st lost in killed and wounded 160 at Drewry's Bluff, 194 at Cold Harbor, and 104 at Fort Harrison. Very few surrendered with the Army of Tennessee.
Officers:
Colonels:
• John L. Cantwell
• Hector McKethan
Lieutenant Colonels:
• William A. Allen
• Caleb B. Hobson
Major:
• James R. McDonald
Assignments:
General Clingman's Brigade and served under him for the duration of the war.
Battles:
Goldsboro
Battery Wagner
Drewry's Bluff
Cold Harbor
Petersburg siege
Bentonville
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1960 men.
Company A was recruited and enlisted in New Hanover County during February and March of 1862 with Captain George F. Walker in command. The company was mustered into state service at Wilmington as part of the 51st regiment on April 19, 1862. Through the course of the war, 130 men were assigned to Company A.
Company B, the "Warsaw Sampsons," was comprised of men from Duplin and Sampson Counties and was enlisted in those counties during February and March of 1862. The company, under the command of Captain Caleb B. Hobson, was assigned to the 51st Regiment on April 2, 1862 in Wilmington. Through the course of the war, 139 men served in Company B.
Company C, the "Duplin Stars," was raised and enlisted in Duplin County during February and March of 1862 under the command of Captain William A. Allen. The company was mustered into state service at Wilmington as part of the 51st Regiment on April 8, 1862. Through the course of the war, 135 men served in this company.
Company D – Robeson County. Known as the Lumber Bridge company and "Scotch Tigers". Organized in April 1862, it became a part of Clingman's Brigade.
Company E - Robeson County. Known as the "Clay Valley Rangers," this company was raised in Robeson County and enlisted at Lumberton on February 28, 1862. It was mustered into state service at Wilmington on April 10, 1862, and assigned to the 51st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company E.
Company F - Robeson County. Known as the "Ashpole True Boys", this company was raised in Robeson County and enlisted at Lumberton on March 10, 1862. It was mustered into state service at Wilmington on April 21, 1862, and assigned to the 51st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company "F".
Company G was recruited in Brunswick, Columbus, and Duplin Counties and enlisted in Wilmington from January through March of 1862. The company, under the command of Captain James W. Lippitt, was mustered into state service at Camp Holmes, near Wilmington, as part of the 51st Regiment on April 1, 1862. Through the course of the war, 162 men served in this company.
Company H, the "Columbus Light Infantry," was raised and enlisted in Columbus County during March of 1862 under the command of Captain John R. Kelly. The company was mustered into state service in Wilmington on April 3, 1862. Through the course of the war, 147 men were assigned to this company.
Company I was recruited in Cumberland and Sampson Counties and enlisted, under the command of Captain Hector McA. McKethan, in Cumberland County during March and April, 1862. The company was assigned as part of the 51st Regiment at Wilmington on April 23, 1862. Through the course of the war, 183 men served with this company.
Company K, the "Confederate Stars," was raised and enlisted in Sampson County during March and April of 1862. The company was mustered into state service, under the command of Captain Joseph B. Underwood, at Camp Holmes, near Wilmington, on May 10, 1862. During the war, 128 men served in this company.
Bibliography for Research:
• John L. Cantwell
• Hector McKethan
Lieutenant Colonels:
• William A. Allen
• Caleb B. Hobson
Major:
• James R. McDonald
Battery Wagner
Drewry's Bluff
Cold Harbor
Petersburg siege
Bentonville
Company A was recruited and enlisted in New Hanover County during February and March of 1862 with Captain George F. Walker in command. The company was mustered into state service at Wilmington as part of the 51st regiment on April 19, 1862. Through the course of the war, 130 men were assigned to Company A.
Company B, the "Warsaw Sampsons," was comprised of men from Duplin and Sampson Counties and was enlisted in those counties during February and March of 1862. The company, under the command of Captain Caleb B. Hobson, was assigned to the 51st Regiment on April 2, 1862 in Wilmington. Through the course of the war, 139 men served in Company B.
Company C, the "Duplin Stars," was raised and enlisted in Duplin County during February and March of 1862 under the command of Captain William A. Allen. The company was mustered into state service at Wilmington as part of the 51st Regiment on April 8, 1862. Through the course of the war, 135 men served in this company.
Company D – Robeson County. Known as the Lumber Bridge company and "Scotch Tigers". Organized in April 1862, it became a part of Clingman's Brigade.
Company E - Robeson County. Known as the "Clay Valley Rangers," this company was raised in Robeson County and enlisted at Lumberton on February 28, 1862. It was mustered into state service at Wilmington on April 10, 1862, and assigned to the 51st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company E.
Company F - Robeson County. Known as the "Ashpole True Boys", this company was raised in Robeson County and enlisted at Lumberton on March 10, 1862. It was mustered into state service at Wilmington on April 21, 1862, and assigned to the 51st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company "F".
Company G was recruited in Brunswick, Columbus, and Duplin Counties and enlisted in Wilmington from January through March of 1862. The company, under the command of Captain James W. Lippitt, was mustered into state service at Camp Holmes, near Wilmington, as part of the 51st Regiment on April 1, 1862. Through the course of the war, 162 men served in this company.
Company H, the "Columbus Light Infantry," was raised and enlisted in Columbus County during March of 1862 under the command of Captain John R. Kelly. The company was mustered into state service in Wilmington on April 3, 1862. Through the course of the war, 147 men were assigned to this company.
Company I was recruited in Cumberland and Sampson Counties and enlisted, under the command of Captain Hector McA. McKethan, in Cumberland County during March and April, 1862. The company was assigned as part of the 51st Regiment at Wilmington on April 23, 1862. Through the course of the war, 183 men served with this company.
Company K, the "Confederate Stars," was raised and enlisted in Sampson County during March and April of 1862. The company was mustered into state service, under the command of Captain Joseph B. Underwood, at Camp Holmes, near Wilmington, on May 10, 1862. During the war, 128 men served in this company.