630 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-’65. The regiment consisted of the following ten companies: Company A—King’s Artillery—Captain James M. Ste- venson, from Sampson County. Company B—Bladen Stars—Captain Daniel Munn, from Bladen County. Company C—Blocker’s Artillery—Captain O. H. Blocker, from Cumberland County. Company D—Anderson’s Artillery—Captain Edward B. Dudley, from New Hanover County. Company E—Columbus Artillery—Captain O. H. Powell, from Columbus County. Company F—Pamlico Artillery—Captain Sam. B. Hun- ter, from Craven and Halifax Counties. Company G—Lamb Artillery—Captain Potter, from Brunswick County. Company H—Clarendon Artillery—Captain Daniel Pat- terson, from Bladen County. Company I—Bladen Artillery—Captain John A. Rich- ardson, from Bladen County. Company K—Brunswick Artillery—Captain John D. Taylor, from Brunswick County. Major William Lamb, of C. S. A., was elected Colonel; Captain John A. Richardson, of Company T, was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and. John T. Melvin was elected Cap- tain Company I. Captain John Douglas Taylor, of Com- pany K, was elected second Major, and William T. Brooks was elected Captain. January 23, 1864, Major Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in place of Richardson, dropped, and Captain James M. Stevenson, of Company A, was elected Major, and Robert J. Murphy was elected Cap- tain. Captain Geo. D. Parker, of Missouri, was appointed Ad- jutant; Captain Robert W. Lamb, of Virginia, Assistant Quartermaster; Captain Charles H. Blocker, of Bladen, As sistant Commissary ; Dr. Spiers Singleton, of North Carolina, Surgeon, and Dr. Powhatan Bledsoe, of Virginia, Assistant Surgeon ; Rev. Luther McKinnon, of North Carolina, Chap- lain. These companies were serving at different posts in the de- THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 631 fense of the Cape Fear. Colonel Lamb remained at Fort St. Philip, Old Brunswick, until 4 July, 1862, when he relieved Major John J. Hedrick, in command of Fort Fisher and de- fenses of Confederate Point, including Zeke’s Island. The command was afterwards extended to Masonboro inlet on the north. Fort Fisher was a small work which, together with adjoining batteries, mounted seventeen guns, only three of heavy calibre. Zeke’s Island had two 32-pounders. As a defense against a Federal fleet they amounted to nothing. Blockade running into Wilmington had just commenced. It was first carried on by any light draft, sea-going steamer that could be procured, and even by small sailing craft, but this was of short duration. The blockade became so effective that to run it successfully required courage, nautical skill and a thorough acquaintance with the coast. The fastest steam- ers were built in Great Britain for the purpose, side wheelers, or double screws, long, low and narrow, usually nine times as long as wide, and from 400 to 700 tons burden. They were painted a light gray, making them as nearly invisible as pos- sible, light lower masts without yards, with a small look-out on the foremast. Smokestacks could be lowered close to the deck in case of need and, when possible, smokeless coal was used. No light was visible. No precaution was omitted to prevent discovery. The most skillful sailors were secured as commanders. Confederate and British naval officers were engaged when practicable, the latter being on leave under assumed names. During the war about 100 different vessels were engaged in running the blockade into Wilmington. Of these, sixty-five steamers were captured or destroyed. One thousand pounds sterling was paid the captain and £750 to the pilot for a successful round trip. Very few were killed or wounded, although there were many narrow escapes. Blockade running was of vital importance to the Southern cause. During the last year of the war Lee’s army depended upon it for subsistence. Wilmington was the last gateway closed, and New Inlet, defended by Fort Fisher, was the fa- vorite entrance for blockade runners. Besides the armament of the fort, light Whitworth guns and field pieces were trans- ported along the beach as far as Masonboro to protect. friendly