1st Regiment NC Union Vol.

[pvtheath]

My unit has recently decided to put together a Federal impression to represent a company of men from the 1st Regiment NC Union Vols. I have been scouring my University's library but unfortunately I haven't come up with anything specifically on the 1st or even much on Unionism in the Eastern part of the state (the regiment was formed in the eastern part of the state after Gen. Burnside captured New Burn and much of Eastern NC). My question is does anybody have any suggestions on sources I could use to get a sense of the uniform and equipment these men would have been issued? It would make sense to simply say they were fitted out with the regulation dark blue sack coat, sky blue trousers, and standard 1862 accouterments. However, I would like to make sure before moving to such a bold conclusion. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Brad Heath

[yeoman]

Sir, try this "link", (http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncuv/collins1.htm) and "here", (http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncuv/articles.htm) as may be of some help.

Here is a photograph of Private James Daniel Boyd, Co. A, 1st Regiment N.C. Union Volunteers.

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncuv/boydjamesd.jpg

Good luck with your units impression.

[BobRoeder]

Brad,

You probably have this information already but I'll post it anyway for anyne else who may find it interesting/useful.

Page 64, Lincoln’s Loyalists: Union Soldiers from the Confederacy by Richard Nelson Current:

General Ambrose E. Burnside, with a large amphibious expedition, succeeded in taking Roanoke Island in February and New Bern in March 1862. On reaching the mainland, the Union officers found ample confirmation of the rumored loyalism. “The hearts of the people of North Carolina are not with the rebels; the woods and swamps are full of refugees fleeing from the terror of conscription,” Commodore S.C. Rowan reported from New Bern. “The people say they won’t fight us, and I they must fight it will be on our side.”

Burnside soon decided to enlist such men as were available. “I have authorized the organization of the First North Carolina Union Volunteers,” he wrote from his New Bern headquarters to the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton on May 5, 1862. “The movement was initiated by the Union men in and about Washington [N.C.], and I have encouraged it to the extent of feeding, clothing, and arming.”

Mr. Current’s source:
Wayne K. Durrill, War of Another Kind: A Southernm Community in the Great Rebellion (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. Pp. 43-44, 53-56, 67.

[BobRoeder]

Also, from the website - http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncuv/ncuv.htm

There is a recruiting poster which clearly says:

"Their pay, clothing, rations, equipments and allowances will be in all respects similar to those of
the United States Volunteers." Edward E. Potter, Col. Com'g 1st N.C. U. Vols. Sept. 5, 1862

Nice website with alot more information.
Cheers,

[Thomas Alleman]

Usually all non-colored and colored units started out as volunteer then were made US regulars.

[pvtheath]

Thank you for all the comments. I have been on the site Mr. Hadden provided. I feel as though these men would have been wearing the regulation sack coat, etc., when fighting in the field. By the way, Mr. Alleman, do you think these troops would have acquired dark blue trousers or would have been left with sky blue trousers? Thanks again for everyone's responses.

Brad Heath