Need some help sorting out some items

[UCVRelics]

Help me out with the abbreviations. IW? Indian wars maybe? NC NG? NC National Guard maybe?

IW Indian War. NC NG North Carolina National Guard.

 

[connecticut yankee]

The wooden pine box you call "crate" is better termed a document box. It's original smaller hinges have been replaced, but it retains its original lock hardware. It has monetary value of its own and could very well date back to the Civil War era.

 

[east_beast]

I'm leaning toward all of these items potentially being brother #2's. I've found a letter dated Feb. 22nd, 1865 from a "camp near Petersburg" from brother #1 where he writes about his haversack, hat, and virtually "everything good" recently being stolen by a "extremely bold rogue". He is still extremely optimistic at this point that the Confederacy will ultimately prevail in the war and seems bewildered that folks back home seem to be gloomy.

 

[east_beast]

I have also found this that has brother #2's name inscribed inside it.

 

[east_beast]

This is the box within the "document box" containing the correspondence.

 

[Package4]

Help me out with the abbreviations. IW? Indian wars maybe? NC NG? NC National Guard maybe?

Yes to all!

 

[east_beast]

Brother #2 is Lt. Edward Phifer.

https://m.facebook.com/PetersburgNPS/photos/few-accounts-survive-from-petersburg-women-who-aided-in-hospitals-the-best-set-o/10158584011668675/

 

[east_beast]

 

[east_beast]

It looks like he was most likely killed by either a sharpshooter or shrapnel from artillery. An account from someone in the 49th NC, I company described the day as such:

 

[east_beast]

 

[Package4]

View attachment 463683

Edward X. Phifer

Residence Lincoln County NC; 17 years old. Enlisted on 7/12/1862 at Drewry's Bluff, VA as a Private. On 7/12/1862 he mustered into "K" Co. NC 49th Infantry He died of wounds on 7/18/1864 He was listed as: * Hospitalized 6/18/1864 Petersburg, VA * Wounded 6/18/1864 Petersburg, VA Promotions: * 1st Sergt 11/1/1862 * 2nd Lieut 11/1/1862 * 1st Lieut 7/24/1863​

 

[east_beast]

Oh wow. This is him.

I've seen his middle initial as"X", "K", and now "L". Family records show "K". I'm thinking the "X" probably came from misreading "K" as "X" from handwritten letters and this "L" is likely simply a typo hitting "L" instead of "K".

 

[east_beast]

This is probably as close as I'm going to come to figuring out exactly what happened and where. This account makes it sound like the fighting that day was anything but quiet.

North Carolina in the American Civil War - 49th NC Regiment (Infantry)

This is the account of Capt. Benjamin F. Dixon of the 14th NC.

So, either he was taken out by a sharpshooter or the unlucky backstop of artillery shrapnel or he was wounded during hellish close quarters combat. Maybe both are partially true. During days of hellish close quarters combat there were inevitably periods of lulls in which occasional artillery volleys and the constant peppering of sharpshooters would still claim their occasional victim. I'm gonna keep digging but I'm thinking this might be as good as I'm gonna do.

 

[east_beast]

Assuming this map is correct he was likely wounded very near The Crater. Makes sense. The Battle of the Crater took place a little over a month after he was wounded (his brother George was wounded during this battle) and troop movement in a defensive trench warfare environment is likely going to be minimal.

Overlaying the modern day map using the railroad as a landmark basically lands you on The Crater.

 

[east_beast]

I was able to find this with both Edward and George pictured among the NC 49th officers.

 

[east_beast]

A first hand account of the NC 49th that specifically mentions "the Phifers". Seems like these young men and this unit as a whole was held in very high regard. Looking at the service record of the unit it's not difficult to imagine why. These boys were in a LOT of fights and spent plenty of time at the tip of the spear.

 

[east_beast]

Antietam
Seven Days
Fredericksburg
Malvern Hill
Cold Harbor
Petersburg
Five Forks - the unit was overrun here and the majority forced to surrender
Appomattox Courthouse - the remaining 106 men surrendered here at the bitter end

 

[east_beast]

Made it down to Lincolnton the other day and swung by to visit the gravesites.

Their parents are buried beside them. I have several letters from the mother written to them.

In the plot right next to them is Maj. Gen. Ramseur.

The 49th NC spent considerable time serving under Ramseur and being from prominent families of the same small town it's highly likely they were at minimum familiar with each other.

And just because it's fun, the suspected grave of the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte.

 

[east_beast]

Anyone have an appraiser they'd recommend? Preferably fairly close to western NC. I'm NOT selling this stuff but I'd like to have a ballpark number to include on our homeowners policy.

 

[Package4]

Anyone have an appraiser they'd recommend? Preferably fairly close to western NC. I'm NOT selling this stuff but I'd like to have a ballpark number to include on our homeowners policy.

I would recommend Larry Hicklen, of Middle Tennessee Relics, he is very knowledgeable, fair and honest. He is not too terribly far from you. Raphael Eledge Shiloh Relics and Will Gorges of Battleground Antiques Are two others in your general region.