23rd NC Infantry - #224

HISTORY OF THE 23RD NORTH CAROLINA

 

The original regiment was mustered into service on 12 July 1861 as the 13th Regiment of NC Volunteers at Garysburg, Northampton County, NC.

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On November 14, 1861, the regiment was changed from a volunteer regiment to state troop regiment and redesigned the 23rd NCST.

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The regiment missed first man asses due to train delays but thenceforth participated in every major battle involving the Army of Northern Virginia. It served gallantly under Jackson, A.P. Hill, D.H. Hill, Ewell and Early to name a few. On 1 July 1863 at Gettysburg it was rendered battle ineffective after the disastrous advance on Oak Knoll where the men fell in straight lines where they stood. Federal troops were waiting unseen behind a waist high stone wall. The stood up in unison and leveled a volley of fire that cut down the regiment in its tracks. Company G rebuilt its ranks after Gettysburg and continued to serve in every major battle in Virginia until it surrendered at Appomattox.

Colonel Charles Blacknall started as the company commander of Company G but eventually became the Regimental Commander. He suffered many battle wounds and was captured and paroled several times while leading from the front. Well-liked and respected by the men and fellow officers he was wounded fatally in the 3rd Battle of Winchester and is buried beside his predecessor, Colonel Christie, in Mt Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia. Our current unit periodically pays respect to both during National Skirmishes.

Company G 23 NCST (NSSA) passed inspection and mustered in during the spring nationals 1993. Initially we dressed ourselves in red battle shirts like the 13th NC Volunteers did but soon after adopted butternut grey sack coats. Our original members were Tom Wareham (first sergeant), Chuck Wager (second sergeant), Joe Posney, Tim Womack, Jim Lutat, Bill Van Pelt, Jesse Downey and Micheal J Stroff. We were all sailors and marines at the time. Having 2 sailors (Wareham and Wager) added dignity to an otherwise vulgar brawl.

Today only 2 “redshirts” remain. Wareham and Wager. Since our entry into

the NSSA we have attended every national skirmish unless it was canceled

due to Covid. We welcome new members. Our long-standing policy is that

everyone shoots that wants to to shoot even at the expense of a veteran  and

everyone is on our “A” team. Even rookies.

 

-Submitted by Tom Wareham

 

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