722 Norra Caroitina Troops, 1861-’65.

. It is a singular fact that, while in the first pitched battle

in which the regiment was engaged all of its field officers were
shot down and carried from the field, they all survived the
war, notwithstanding their constant active service, and the
numerous bloody engagements in which they fought; and
lived to serve their country well in those dark and dreadful
days of Reconstruction which followed—a period in many
respects more trying to our people and requiring more steadi-
ness and moral courage, perhaps, than that of actual hostili-
ties.

David Coleman was born in the county of Buncombe 5
February, 1824, and died in Asheville 5 March, 1883. He
was the son of Wm. Coleman; and his wife, Cynthia Swain, a
sister of Gov. Swain. He was prepared for college at Newton
Academy, near Asheville, an institution celebrated in that
day for its high standard of scholarship, and the character
of the youths who received instruction in it. He then en-
tered the University, where his vigorous mind, his taste for
letters, and his fondness for the classics, soon attracted at-
tention. Shortly before the time when he would have grad-
uated he entered the United States navy and served therein
with distinction until his resignation, about the year 1850,
having attained the position of Lieutenant Commander. He
saw much service abroad, having been attached to the Afri-
ean, Mediterranean and South American squadrons. He
was at the siege of Vera Cruz, and the vessel to which he
was attached took an active part in the bombardment. Upon
his resignation he returned to Asheville and was admitted to
the bar. His nativé ability, rare accomplishments, accom-
panied by a fine presence and remarkably courtly bearing,
soon secured for him a high place in his profession and in the
public esteem. In 1854 he was a Democratic candidate for
State Senator, and defeated the late Nicholas Woodfin, who
had for many years represented the district and was sup-
posed to be invincible; but, the “boy from the navy,” as his
political opponents called him, was victorious. In 1856 he
was re-elected, defeating his contemporary, Zebulon B.
Vance, the only defeat Vance ever received in a popular

Tuirty-Ninto REGIMENT. 723

election. In 1858 Coleman and Vance were rival candi-
dates for Congress; this time Vance being the victor.

Colonel Coleman ardently espoused the doctrine of Seces-

sion, being one of the few leading men in the West who took
that position. At the beginning of hostilities he at once of-
fered his services to the Confederate and State Governments
and sought duty in the navy, which it was then hoped to om
ganize. He was appointed to the command of some ship
the name of which is not now recalled, but the delays in ita
equipment and the vigilance of the Federal blockade were too
much for his impatient spirit, and he entered the army, bein

appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and was assigned to the ieee
mand of a battalion which afterwards became the Thirty—
ninth Regiment, North Carolina Troops. A

After the war he resumed the practice of his profession
and was at once recognized, and so continued to be until the
day of his death, as one of the leaders of the bar in the State.
He was for some time solicitor of the Western circuit, and
with General Clingman, represented the county of Bauootihe
in the Constitutional Convention of 1875. He took an active
part in public questions of the day (it is needless to say which
side he espoused) and ‘was, perhaps, the most influential
man, except Governor Vance, in the western portion of the
State. He was the ideal Southern soldier and gentleman
and the devotion of his men to him was phenomenal. is
never married.

Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey H. Davidson was born in the
county of Haywood, on 27 March, 1814, and died at his resi-
dence in Clay county on 1 July, 1889. He was the second
son of Wm. M. Davidson, and his wife, Elizabeth Vance, a
daughter of Colonel David Vance, a Revolutionary nuldios
Tn fact, Colonel Davidson was descended from good fight.
ing stock on both sides, his grandfather Davidson having
also been a soldier in the Revolution. He was a man of
great strength of mind and firmness of character, and had
the faculty of inspiring confidence and affection beyond that
of Most men. His cousin, Governor Vance, once told the
writer that Colonel Davidson had a greater fund and finer
sense of humor than any man he had ever met. These quali-