704 Norra Carona Troops, 1861-65.

withstanding, he can only furnish a sketch—a framework,
upon which he hopes some competent hand may yet construct
an historical edifice more worthy the achievements of our
comrades, living and dead. He is greatly indebted, and is
sure the old soldiers of the Thirty-ninth will join with him in
feelings of gratitude, to Lieutenant John M. Davidson, of
Company ©, and now residing at Kingston, Ga., for his rem-
iniscences of the regiment which are appended, as an addition-
al sketch of the regiment. He was promoted from the ranks,
at the reorganization in 1862, and continued in active service
until the close of the Atlanta campaign when, because of de-
clining health, he was invalided and put on light duty. En-
dowed with a bright mind, a cheerful disposition and unfail-
ing humor, a courageous soul, a tender and warm heart, he
was a general favorite with his comrades, and by his exalted
sense of duty and devotion he attracted the attention and
commanded the respect and confidence of his superiors.

The history of the Sixteenth Regiment, by Benjamin H.

Cathey, First Lieutenant, Compan} A, (Vol. I, N. C. Regi-
ments, pp. 751-769), contains much interesting and valuable
matter relating to the Thirty-ninth Regiment—Lieutenant
Cathey’s company having been detached from the Sixteenth
and assigned to the Thirty-ninth about the close of 1862.

The flag spoken of there is yet in the possession of J. Wes-
ley Shelton; and at all reunions of the men of the Thirty-
ninth it is carefully unfurled and its tattered folds flung
again on high and saluted with shouts of the grizzled veter-
ans, the old “Rebel Yell,” that, in the stirring years gone by,
accompanied it as it swept through smoke and fire in front
of the line; then reverently, tenderly, tearfully often, it is
folded away and committed to the care of its brave bearer.

The Thirty-ninth Regiment was originally a battalion—
known as “Coleman’s Battalion”—organized at Camp Pat-
ton, Asheville, N. C., in the Summer and Fall of 1861, com-
posed of five companies, Lieutenant-Colonel David Coleman,
of Buncombe county, commanding.

Company A—Cherokee County—Captain, Benton A.
Strange, now residing at Georgetown, Texas; First Lieuten-
ant, John R. Dyche; Second Lieutenant, Arthur M. Dyche,

Tuirty-NintH REGIMENT. 705

subsequently promoted to Captain; Junior Second Lieuten-
ant, Anselm Rogers, now residing in Cherokee county.

c OMPANY B—Macon County—Captain, A. W. Bell ; First
eee, WV soe a su acebed Second Lieutenant,
oe ‘ or Second Lieutenant, William A. Hol-

Company C—Captain, Harvey M. Davidson, subsequently
promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel; First Lieutenant, Samuel
S. ©. Mount, subsequently promoted to Captain and killed
at Spanish Fort Mobile, Ala. ; Second Lieutenant, Paschal C.
Hughes ; Junior Second Lieutenant, Sylvester B. MM. Farmer
now residing at Quallatown, Jackson County, N. C.

Company D—Buncombe County Captain, Ambrose
Gaines; First Lieutenant, Jackson Shipman; Second Lieu-
tenant, William Allen, subsequently promoted to Captain;
J anior Second Lieutenant, Wm. M. Bearden.

§ OMPANY E—Clay County—Captain, James Bogan;
Siest Lieutenant, George E. Bristol, subsequently promoted
to Captain ; Second Lieutenant, Albert N. Leatherwood;
Junior Second Lieutenant, James W. Shearer.

Remaining in the Camp of Instruction, awaiting equip-
ments and being drilled, until November, 1861, the battalion
was moved to “Camp Hill,” at the southern foot of Gooch
Mountain, five miles north of Asheville, where it continued
until about 1 January, 1862, when, because of the inclemency
of the winter and the lack of tents, it was removed to the old
Reems Creek Campground, now known as Weaverville
some two miles further north, where in the substanstaad
wooden “tents”? erected by the devout Methodists of that re-
gion, for their annual encampment for the worship of the
Prince of Peace,” the soldiers of the “God of War” found
comfortable quarters, until their arms and other supplies
necessary for active service were received. :

Here Companies F and G were organized from the over-

crowded Companies A and C, and from volunteer recruits

which were daily arriving from the Western counties. Na-

aang = eh ae now feoming at Robbinsville, N.C.,
of Company F; John W. Rhea, killed at
45