NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

3
THIRTEENTH BATTALION (STARR'S ART.)

John C. Mobley, Surgeon; commissioned 4 February,
1864. G. A. Nicollaison, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned

1 November, 1863.

FIFTEENTH BATTALION (WYNNS’ CAV.)

Wn. B. Harrell, Surgeon; commissioned in 1864; Wilson
County; transferred from Army Northern Virginia. Star-

key Sharp, Surgeon.
BRIGADE SURGEONS.

Anderson-Ramseur-Cox Brigade—G. W. Briggs, G. L.
Kirby.

Branch-Lane Brigade—James A. Miller, Robert Gibbon,
Ed. G. Higginbotham, Wesley M. Campbell, George E.

Trescott.
Martin-Kirkland Brigade—Virginius Harrison.
Pender-Scales Brigade—W. A. Holt, J. H. McAden.
Ransom’s Brigade—W. R. Wilson.

‘ Norz.—Doubtless many names are omitted.—Eb.

THE MILITIA.

By JAS. M. GRIZZARD, Carrain ComPANy A, Firrrentu REGIMENT
Norta Carona Mirra.

When the war broke out, the only military organization,
outside a few volunteer companies, was the Militia which on
paper was organized as provided by Chapter 70 of the Re
vised Code, and embraced all white males between the ages
of 18 and 45 years. But, as a matter of fact, by reason of
the “canker of a long peace,” the militia organization had no
actual practical existence. The outbreak of the war, gal-
vanized it into a semi-life and it was used as an organization
for emergencies and to enforce the conscript law until the
latter act had nearly swallowed up the militia rank and file,
leaving only the officers—some 2,650 in number—who were
exempted till the end of the war, to aid in getting up con-
scripts. These, together with the justices of the peace and
other exempts from Confederate service and the men between
45 and 50, became by the act of July, 1863, the Home Guard.

Colonel John L. Cantwell, Thirtieth Regiment North Car-
olina Militia, took possession of Forts Caswell and Johnson,
below Wilmington, 10 January, 1861, and though ordered
then to give them up, he was ordered to again take possession
of the forts on 16 April the same year.

After the fall of Roanoke Island on 8 February, 1862, the
militia in the Northeastern part of the State were ordered out.
The lower Halifax Regiment, Fifteenth North Carolina Mili-
tia, to which I belonged, was commanded by Colonel David
Clark. He ordered us out 9 February, 1862, to aid in blockad-
ing the river. This.he did by felling trees and seizing and
sinking four vessels in the narrowest part of the stream at
Rainbow Bend, near Hamilton, and also at Conine Creek.
He was soon made Brigadier-General of the brigade com-
posed of the two Halifax regiments, and the Warren and

‘Northampton regiments. General Clark was an officer of

executive ability, great energy and zeal in the cause, highly