The North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment: Eight Cousins

Flag of the North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment located at the Gettysburg Museum

The North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina in March of 1862.  It's companies were made up of men who were from Nash, Wake, Franklin, Granville, and Alamance counties.  The regiment was originally assigned to the Department of North Carolina until May of 1863, when it was transferred to the Army of Northern Virginia.  The North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment was part of General Ambrose Powell Hill's Third Corps.  The 47th remained attached the the Army of Northern Virginia through the Appomattox Campaign.

I have members in the North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on both sides of my family who served in four different Companies, E, F, G and H.  One member from each side was captured following the Battle of Southerland's Station, Virginia on April 2, 1865.  

Below is the Union Army's Official Report for the Battle of Southerland's Station:

Sutherland's Station, Va.,
April 2, 1865.

1st Division, 2nd Army Corps.

At 9 a. m. the division, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. N. A. Miles commanding,
drove the Confederates from the White Oak road and pursued to
Sutherland's station on the South Side railroad, 8 miles from
Petersburg where a larger force was found intrenched, with
artillery. Miles ordered Nugent's and Madill's brigades to
charge, which was gallantly done, but the position proved too
strong to be carried by a direct assault over the uneven ground
in front.

Madill was severely wounded in the charge and Brig.-Gen.
MacDougall took command of the brigade. About noon the
artillery of the division came up and began a vigorous shelling
of the works, under cover of which MacDougall made another
charge but it was also repulsed. Miles then pushed forward a
strong skirmish line against the enemy's right to engage his
attention, while Ramsey's brigade was moved rapidly through the
woods and down a ravine on the he Confederate left.

At 2:45 Ramsey advanced on the double-quick, struck the enemy
in flank, and then swept down inside the works, capturing a
large number and scattering the remainder. Those who escaped
were driven toward the Appomattox river, where they were picked
up in the woods that afternoon and the next morning. Miles
captured 600 prisoners, 1 battleflag and 2 pieces of artillery.

His loss for the day was 33 killed, 236 wounded and 97 missing.

Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 861

Another casualty that took place on April 2, 1865 was the death of Confederate General A. P. Hill.

A. P. Hill

During the Winter of 1864-65, Hill was sick several times.   By March of 1865 Hill's health had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer remain in the field.  General Hill was sent to Richmond to recuperate.  On April 1, 1865, Hill returned to the field.   On April 2nd, while riding near the Petersburg lines, Hill was killed by Union Corporal John W. Mauck of the 138th Pennsylvania.

Historical Marker showing where A. P. Hill was killed

Hill was originally buried in Chesterfield County, Virginia due to Richmond's occupation of Federal troops.  In 1867, his body was transferred to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.  On May 30, 1892, Hill's body was transferred to his final resting place at the base of the A. P. Hill Monument at the intersection of Laburnum and Hermitage Road in Richmond, Virginia.

Grave of General Ambrose Powell Hill

 

Close-up of A. P. Hill Monument

Following the Battle at Southerland's Station, both James Henderson "Henry" Nowell and Joseph Young Moss were confined to Hart's Island Prison Camp in 1865.   Henry met his untimely demise while imprisoned there.   Joseph was lucky enough to be released after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

What remains of Hart's Island today

In 1865, as the Civil War was ending, the Federal government used the Island as a prison camp for Confederate soldiers. Hart Island was a prisoner of war camp for four months in 1865. 3,413 captured Confederate soldiers were housed. 235 died. Their remains were relocated to Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn in 1941.

Below are brief biographies of my family members who served in the North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment. 

Company E:

Hugh Shaw was born in Wake County, North Carolina in 1823.  He is my 3rd cousin, 5x removed.  Hugh enlisted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on October 31, 1864 at the age of 41.   Hugh was captured at Hatch Run, Virginia on April 2, 1865.  He was confined to Hart's Island Prison Camp, Hart's Island, New York on April 7, 1865. 

POW Roll for Hugh

Hugh died from unknown causes at Hart's Island Prison Camp on June 10, 1865 at the age of 42.   He is buried in the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. 

Here's my relation to Hugh:

Hugh Shaw (1823 - 1865)

is your 3rd cousin 5x removed

Your 3rd cousin 5x removed

Mary Polly Nowell (1798 - 1836)

mother of Hugh Shaw

James Nowell (1767 - 1830)

father of Mary Polly Nowell

John Nowell (1736 - 1793)

father of James Nowell

Martin Nowell (1682 - )

father of John Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Sr. (1728 - 1777)

son of Martin Nowell

Dempsey Nowell Jr. (1755 - 1810)

son of Dempsey Nowell Sr.

Rev. John Downing Nowell (1803 - 1859)

son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.

Joseph Warren Nowell (1829 - 1889)

son of Rev. John Downing Nowell

Walter Hinton Nowell (1855 - 1922)

son of Joseph Warren Nowell

Joseph Warren Nowell (1889 - 1954)

son of Walter Hinton Nowell

Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes (1918 - 2013)

daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell

Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. (1946 - )

son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Selby

Sylvester Sneed was born in Wake County, North Carolina in 1840.  He is my 2nd cousin 6x removed.  Prior to the war, Sylvester was a farmer by trade.  He enlisted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 46th Infantry Regiment at Camp Mangum, North Carolina on April 11, 1862 at the age of 22.  The Company Descriptive book lists him as being 6" 1/2" tall. 

1st Muster Roll for Sylvester

Sylvester died of unknown causes at a Confederate Hospital in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina on January 18, 1863.   He was 23 years old at the time of his death. 




Final Muster Roll for Sylvester


Sylvester Sneed is buried in a mass grave along with 800 other Confederate Soldiers in the Willowdale Cemetery in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina. 




Close-up on Memorial showing Sylvester's Name


 

Monument for 800 Confederates

 Here's my relation to Sylvester:

Sylvester Sneed (1840 - 1863)

is your 2nd cousin 6x removed

Your 2nd cousin 6x removed

John Sneed (1790 - 1860)

father of Sylvester Sneed

Robert Sharpe Sneed (1756 - 1846)

father of John Sneed

William Sneed (1721 - 1790)

father of Robert Sharpe Sneed

Charles Sneed (1745 - 1841)

son of William Sneed

Judith Sneed (1772 - 1834)

daughter of Charles Sneed

Josiah Blackburn (1790 - 1857)

son of Judith Sneed

Sarah Jane Blackburn (1831 - 1896)

daughter of Josiah Blackburn

Samuel Henry Conway Jr. (1868 - 1936)

son of Sarah Jane Blackburn

Eunice Maud Conway (1895 - 1981)

daughter of Samuel Henry Conway Jr.

Robert William Lewis (Vaden) (1913 - 1990)

son of Eunice Maud Conway

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Robert William Lewis (Vaden)

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce  

Nicholas Wheeler was born in Wake County, North Carolina in 1846.  He is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Nicholas enlisted as a Private in Company E, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on October 2, 1863 at the age of 17.  He was the younger brother of John R. "Jack" Wheeler

Muster Roll showing Nicholas' Enlistment Date

Nicholas served as a Guard at Camp Holmes in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Pay Statement showing Nicholas was a Guard at Camp Holmes

Nicholas Wheeler survived the Civil War and lived at least an additional 5 years.  There is no further records of Nicholas after 1870.   His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to Nicholas:

Nicholas Wheeler (1846 - )

is your 1st cousin 4x removed

Your 1st cousin 4x removed

Burwell Wheeler (1796 - 1885)

father of Nicholas Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

father of Burwell Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Company F:


James Henderson "Henry" Nowell was born in Franklin County, North Carolina in 1822.  He is my 3rd Cousin 5x removed.   Henry was a Farmer prior to his enlistment at the age of 39.  He enlisted in Company F a/k/a "Sons of Liberty" of the North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on March 1, 1862.

1st Muster Roll for Henry

Henry was hospitalized at Goldsboro, North Carolina on June 3, 1863 with an unspecified complaint.  He was reported on duty as a hospital nurse at Goldsboro in September through December of 1863. 

Hospital Muster Roll showing Henry employed as a nurse

Henry was reported present for duty with his Company in March - April and September - October of 1864.  He was captured at the Battle of Southerland's Station, near Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865 and confined to Hart's Island Prison Camp, New York Harbor on April 7, 1865. 

POW Record showing Henry's capture and death

Henry died of  "double pneumonia" on May 21, 1865 while being held captive at Hart's Island.   He was 43 years old.  Henry is buried in the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn New York. 

Grave of James Henderson "Henry" Nowell

Here's my relation to James Henderson Nowell:

James Henderson Nowell 1822-1865
3rd cousin 5x removed
Rev. Mark Nowell 1790-1872
Father of James Henderson Nowell
James Nowell 1767-1830
Father of Rev. Mark Nowell
John Nowell 1736-1793
Father of James Nowell
James Martin Nowell 1682-
Father of John Nowell
Dempsey Nowell Sr. 1728-1777
Son of James Martin Nowell
Dempsey Nowell Jr. 1755-1810
Son of Dempsey Nowell Sr.
Rev. John Nowell 1803-1859
Son of Dempsey Nowell Jr.
Joseph Warren Nowell 1829-1889
Son of Rev. John Nowell
Walter Hinton Nowell 1855-1922
Son of Joseph Warren Nowell
Joseph Warren Nowell 1889-1954
Son of Walter Hinton Nowell
Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes 1918-2013
Daughter of Joseph Warren Nowell
Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr. 1946-2019
Son of Ruth Adelaide Nowell Stokes
Selby Edward "Chip" Stokes III
You are the son of Selby Edward "Stokey" Stokes Jr.

Company G:

Richard L. Duke was born in Warren County, North Carolina on March 15, 1822.  He is my 1st cousin 5x removed.  Richard enlisted as a Private in Company G, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment at Camp Holmes on September 16, 1863 at the age of 41. 

Richard was admitted to General Hospital No. 9 on November 8, 1863.   Per the record he had been transferred from Winder Hospital No. 4. 

Register showing Richard was admitted to General Hospital No. 9

Confederate Records indicate that Richard spent the remainder of the war in General Hospital No. 9, recovering from his unspecified injury/illness.

Following his recuperation Richard returned home to North Carolina and settled in Franklin County.  He lived an additional 25 years following the end of the Civil War.  Richard L. Duke died on May 9, 1890 in Franklin County, North Carolina at the age of 68.  He is buried in the Epsom Cemetery in Vance County, North Carolina.

Grave of Richard L. Duke

Here's my relation to Richard:

Richard L Duke (1822 - 1890)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Lucy Green Harris (1803 - 1868)

mother of Richard L Duke

Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)

father of Lucy Green Harris

Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)

daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

son of Ann Washington Harris

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

son of James C. Moss

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

daughter of William Allen Moss

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Valeria Lee Moss

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Joseph Young Moss was born in Granville County, North Carolina on April 18, 1828.  He is my 1st Cousin 5x removed.  Joseph was a Full Ordnance Sergeant just like his older brother Peter Mann Moss who served in Company E, North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment.  Joseph was farmer prior to his enlistment at the age of 33.   He enlisted as Corporal in Company G, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on February 22, 1862. 

1st Muster Roll for Joseph

Joseph was listed as present for duty in January - February of 1863.  He was promoted to 1st Sergeant prior to March 1, 1863 and Full Ordnance Sergeant at an unspecified date.

Roll of Honor showing Joseph's promotion and wounding at Gettysburg

Joseph was wounded and captured at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863.  He was then confined to Fort Delaware on July 9, 1863. 

POW Register showing Joseph was confined at Fort Delaware

Joseph was paroled at Fort Delaware on July 30,  1863 and received at City Point, Virginia on August 1, 1863 for prisoner exchange. 

POW Roll showing Joseph's Parole

He returned to duty on an unspecified date and was present in January - April of 1864.  Joseph was captured at Southerland's Station, Virginia on April 2, 1865 and confined to Hart's Island Prison Camp, New York Harbor on April 7, 1865. 

POW Register showing Joseph was confined to Hart's Island Prison Camp

He was released at Hart's Island on June 18, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. 

Joseph's Oath of Allegiance

Joseph Young Moss lived and additional 30 years following the Civil War.  He died in Granville County, North Carolina on April 10, 1895.  He was 66 years old.   Joseph is buried in the Grove Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Granville County. 

Grave of Joseph Young Moss

Here's my relation to Joseph:

Joseph Young Moss (1828 - 1905)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Jordan Daniel Moss (1806 - 1873)

Father of Joseph Young

Howell Cobb Moss Sr. (1773 - 1831)

Father of Jordan Daniel

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

Son of Howell Cobb

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

Son of Benjamin Lucious

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

Son of James C.

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of William Allen

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce

Lewis Henry Moss was born in Granville County, North Carolina on May 2, 1842.  He is my 1st Cousin 5x removed.  Lewis was the younger brother of  Joseph Young Moss.  Lewis was also a farmer  prior to his enlistment.  He enlisted as a Private in Company G,  North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on February 22, 1862.

1st Muster Roll for Lewis

He was 19 years old at the time of his enlistment.  Lewis was reported present and accounted for in January - February of 1863, January - February of 1864 and September - October of 1864.  He was captured at Taylor's Farm, Virginia on April 4, 1865.  During his imprisonment, he was assigned to duty as a nurse for the "rebel wounded" in a Federal field hospital on April 11, 1865. 

Service Record showing Lewis was a nurse for the "rebel wounded"

Lewis was hospitalized at City Point, Virginia on April 12, 1865 with diarrhea.  He was confined to Newport News, Virginia on April 23, 1865 and released at Newport News, Virginia on June 30, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. 

Lewis's Oath of Allegiance

Lewis Henry Moss lived an additional 44 years following the Civil War.   He died in Granville County, North Carolina on January 1, 1909.   He was 66 years old.   Lewis is buried in the Banks United Methodist Church Cemetery in Creedmoor, North Carolina. 

Here's my relation to Lewis:

Lewis Henry Moss (1842 - 1909)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Jordan Daniel Moss (1806 - 1873)

Father of Lewis Henry

Howell Cobb Moss Sr. (1773 - 1831)

Father of Jordan Daniel

Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)

Son of Howell Cobb

James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)

Son of Benjamin Lucious

William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)

Son of James C.

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of William Allen

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

Daughter of Valeria Lee

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

Daughter of Phebe Teresa

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce


Company H:

John R. "Jack" Wheeler was born in Wake County, North Carolina in July of 1837.  He is my 1st cousin 4x removed.  Jack previously served as a Private in Company C, North Carolina 61st Infantry Regiment but was discharged on April 1, 1863.  He enlisted as a Private in Company H, North Carolina 47th Infantry Regiment on October 25, 1864.

1st Muster Roll for Jack in the NC 47th

On February 25, 1865, Jack was admitted to Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia for an undisclosed injury.  There are no further records in his service file. 

Register showing Jack's Admission to Jackson Hospital

 John R. "Jack" Wheeler lived an additional 49 years following the end of the Civil War.  He is listed as a Widow in the 1910 Federal Census.  He died in Franklin County, North Carolina on June 9, 1914 at the age of 76.  His burial location is not known.

Here's my relation to Jack:

John R. "Jack" Wheeler (1837 - 1910)

is your 1st cousin 4x removed

Your 1st cousin 4x removed

Burwell Wheeler (1796 - 1885)

father of John R. "Jack" Wheeler

Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)

father of Burwell Wheeler

Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)

son of Benjamin Wheeler

Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)

son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler

Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)

son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler

Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)

daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler

Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )

daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis

Chip Stokes

You are the son of Joyce