"Pen In Hand: David Parker Civil War Letters", is a collection of 70 letters written by David Parker to his wife Nancy. David enlisted in 3/21/1862 in Yancey County North Carolina as a Private. On 5/19/1862 he mustard into "B" Company NC 54th infantry. David goes into great detail on some of the battles he fought in Virginia. He was wounded twice, and POW at Point Lookout MD.
Quote from
May 14, 1863
Camp near Fredericksburg, VA
"......... Started to Richmond but we met them and told them that they could not go to Richmond at this time. But they said they was going to go on to Richmond then. So we pitched in in order to show them that the road to Richmond was a hard road for yanks to travel and so they found it before we quit them. So they came to the conclusion that the road back a cross the Rapahanich was easier to travel than the road to Richmond. So they cross the river back with twenty five thousand less than they came across with ......"
You can also read about David's wife Nancy's life before, during and after the Civil War in "A Life for Nancy: Daughter of Frankie Silver". Both books can be found on Barnes & Nobel and Amazon. Like us on Facebook at
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Gettysburg (rear-guard action) after battle report:
Report of Col. Kenneth M. Murchison, Fifty-fourth North Carolina
Infantry, of action at Williamsport.
Near Rapidan Station,
August 5, 1863.
Sir: Agreeably to instructions, I have the honor to report briefly
the operations of this regiment during the late campaign.
Leaving Fredericksburg on Monday, June 4, after a succession of
marches we reached the vicinity of Winchester on 13th instant, where
the regiment was thrown in line of battle with the brigade. During
the two days' engagement around that town, which consisted mostly
of skirmishing, the regiment took no active part.
The enemy having evacuated on the night of June 14, and losing
many prisoners, the regiment was detailed on the 18th to guard 2,000
prisoners to Richmond, via Staunton. With as little delay as practicable,
the regiment returned to Winchester on July 3, when, in conjunction
with a Virginia regiment, it was ordered to guard an ordnance
train to the army, then in Pennsylvania.
Reaching Williamsport, Md., on the 5th, I was ordered by Gen.
Imboden to take position, and repel any attack that might be
made on the wagon train of the army, which had arrived there, but
could not cross, owing to the high stage of the river.
On Monday [July 6], the enemy advanced on Williamsport, by
the Hagerstown and Boonsborough roads, with cavalry and artillery.
Our infantry force being small, four companies of my regiment were
sent to support two batteries of artillery at different points. With
the remainder I deployed, so as to check any advance of the enemy
on the Boonsborough road. Several detachments of soldiers returning
to their commands were placed under my command, and acted
with the regiment. After a brisk engagement of two hours, night
coming on, the enemy withdrew.
My loss in this engagement was 17 men wounded, of whom 2 have
since died; besides, a number of those attached to my command
were killed and wounded.
On Tuesday (July 7), I was ordered by Gen. Lee to cross to the
south bank of the Potomac, to guard a wagon train and hold the
heights. Remaining there until the 11th, I was relieved, and joined
the brigade same day near Hagerstown.
With the army, the regiment again recrossed the Potomac on the
morning of July 14. Marching almost continually, the regiment
reached this point on the 3d instant, where it remains to this date.
It is not deemed necessary to give a detailed account of marches,
as it is familiar to the brigade commander, in whose report it is supposed
to appear.
Justice to the officers and men under my command requires that
I should say that they have withstood the long marches and hardships
incident thereto with a firmness worthy of the cause in which
they are engaged.
I am, very respectfully,
K. M. MURCHISON,
Col., Comdg.
Capt. [J. M.] Adams,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Hoke's Brigade.
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44
One of David's comrades in company B:
Ephraim M. Lane
Residence
Burke County NC;
Enlisted on 7/1/1862 at Burke County, NC as a Private.
On 7/1/1862 he mustered into "B" Co.
NC 54th Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* POW 11/7/1863 Rappahannock Station, VA
* Confined 11/11/1863 Point Lookout, MD
* Paroled 3/9/1864 Point Lookout, MD
* Exchanged 3/15/1864 City Point, VA
* POW 4/6/1865 Farmville, VA
* Confined 4/14/1865 Newport News, VA
* Oath of Allegiance 6/25/1865 Newport News, VA
Promotions:
* Sergt 11/1/1864
(Wife: Elizabeth)
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
- Photo courtesy of Gene Atkins
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @
www.civilwardata.com
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