9th Regiment North Carolina State Troops/1st North Carolina Cavalry: Private Robert Smith Currin, my 1st cousin 5x removed

1st North Carolina Cavalry 1861 by Don Troiani



 Robert Smith Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina on March 14, 1830.  He is my 1st cousin 5x removed.  Prior to his enlistment, two of his brothers died while serving in the Confederate States Army.  His older brother, William P. Currin served as  a Private in Company I, North Carolina 23rd Infantry Regiment.  William died from disease in a Richmond, Virginia Hospital on June 6, 1862.   His younger brother, Thomas H. Currin served as a Private in Company K, North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment.  Thomas was killed in action during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

The loss of two brothers must have weighed heavy on Robert's mind.  On July 7, 1864, Robert enlisted in Company B, North Carolina 1st Cavalry, also known as the 9th Regiment North Carolina State Troops.

1st Muster Roll for Robert

Due to the fact that Robert enlisted so late in the war, there are no further documents in his service record, other than his 1st Muster Roll and Cover Sheet. 

Cover Sheet for Robert Smith Currin's Service Record

Shortly after the secession of North Carolina, the North Carolina State Legislature authorized the organization of  10 Regiments, which were to be enlisted for three years service or for the duration of the War.  Eight of these Regiments were designated to be Infantry Regiments, one of Cavalry, and one of Artillery.  The Ninth Regiment formed by this act of the Legislature was designated the Ninth Regiment North Carolina State Troops, First North Carolina Cavalry.  Recruiting for this unit began in mid May, 1861, and ten companies of the unit were filled and accepted into service by early June.

The Unit completed it's organization at Camp Beauregard in Ridgeway, Warren County, North Carolina on August 12, 1861.  They were mustered into service in the Confederate Army in Richmond, Virginia.  On October 12, 1861, the 9th Regiment North Carolina State Troops was officially recognized as the North Carolina 1st Cavalry. 



Flag of the NC 1st Cavalry



Below are the North Carolina 1st Cavalry's Regimental Assignments:

Cavalry Brigade, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. October 1861-March 1862

Ransom's Brigade, Department of North Carolina. April-May 1861.

Cavalry Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. June-July 1862

Ransom's Brigade, Department of North Carolina, Companies A and B. May-August 1862

Hampton's-Baker's Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia. July-September 1862.

Gordan's Brigade, Hampton's Division, Stuart's Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Established on Sept 9, 1863. The first ever North Carolina Brigade consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th North Carolina Cavalry Regiments.

Barringer's Brigade, W.H.F. Lee's Division, Hampton's Cavalry Corps. May 1864-April 1865.

Although Robert didn't enlist until mid 1864, he still saw plenty of action in the Civil War.   The North Carolina 1st Cavalry took part in the following engagements after Robert's enlistment:

Fought on 4 Aug 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 15 Aug 1864 at Riddle Shop, VA.
Fought on 15 Aug 1864 at White's Tavern, VA.
Fought on 15 Aug 1864 at Richmond, VA.

Fought on 15 Aug 1864 at Near Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 16 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 16 Aug 1864 at Deep Bottom Run, VA.
Fought on 17 Aug 1864 at White Oak Swamp, VA.
Fought on 18 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 19 Aug 1864 at Spring Church, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Reams' Station, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 23 Aug 1864 at Old Stage Road.
Fought on 25 Aug 1864 at Reams' Station, VA.
Fought on 27 Sep 1864 at Knoxville, TN.
Fought on 29 Sep 1864 at Reams' Station, VA.
Fought on 1 Oct 1864 at Near Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Oct 1864 at Chapin's Farm, VA.
Fought on 27 Oct 1864 at Near Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 27 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 27 Oct 1864 at Boydton Plank Rd, VA.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864 at Stony Creek, VA.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864 at Wilkinson's Bridge, VA.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864 at Stone Creek, VA.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864 at Stony Creek.
Fought on 9 Dec 1864 at Sailor's Creek, VA.
Fought on 10 Dec 1864 at Armstrong's Mill, VA.
Fought on 10 Dec 1864 at Armstrong Mills, VA.
Fought on 12 Dec 1864 at Hick's Ford, VA.
Fought on 12 Dec 1864 at Hamilton, NC.
Fought on 6 Feb 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 17 Mar 1865 at Snow Hill, NC.
Fought on 27 Mar 1865 at Lee County, VA.
Fought on 28 Mar 1865 at Snow Hill, NC.
Fought on 28 Mar 1865 at Boone, NC.
Fought on 31 Mar 1865 at Dinwiddie Court House, VA.
Fought on 31 Mar 1865 at Champion Run, VA.
Fought on 31 Mar 1865 at Chamberlain Run, VA.
Fought on 1 Apr 1865 at Five Forks, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Sutherland's Station, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Ford's Station, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Dinwiddie Court House, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Ford's Depot, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Ford Depot, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Namozine Church, GA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Sutherland's Station, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Aberdeen Church, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Aberdeen Counrt House, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Dinwiddie Court House, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Amelia Court House, VA.
Fought on 4 Apr 1865 at Namozine Church, VA.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Burkesville Junction, VA.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Aberdeen Church, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Burkesville Junction, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Amelia Court House, VA.
Fought on 9 Apr 1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 Apr 1865 at Near Salisbury, NC.
Fought on 13 Apr 1865 at Raleigh, NC.
Fought on 15 Apr 1865 at Lenoir County, NC.
Fought on 18 Apr 1865 at Watauga County, NC.
Fought on 1 May 1865 at High Point, NC.

Only Nine men from the North Carolina 1st Cavalry surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.  The remaining men of the unit broke through Federal lines and escaped.  During this breakthrough, Private James Sims, of Company G, was wounded and captured by Federal Troops.  When it became clear that it would be impossible for the remaining men to reach the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston, which was still fighting in North Carolina, the regiment disbanded and the men returned home.

General Wade Hampton

General Wade Hampton had the following to say about the unit:

"On every field this regiment displayed conspicuous gallantry, your State, which furnished so many gallant soldiers to the Confederacy, gave none who upheld her honor and reflected a glory on our flag more bravely than did the First Regiment of North Carolina Cavalry"

Robert Smith Currin lived an additional 50 years after the end of the Civil War.   He died in Granville County, North Carolina on February 22, 1915.  He was 83 years old.  He is buried in the Knott's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Granville County.

Grave of Robert Smith Currin

Here's my relation to Robert:

Robert Smith Currin (1830 - 1915)

is your 1st cousin 5x removed

Sarah "Sally" Blackwell (1801 - 1876)

Mother of Robert Smith

Pomfret Blackwell (1769 - 1828)

Father of Sarah "Sally"

Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)

Daughter of Pomfret

Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)

Daughter of Phoebe

Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)

Daughter of Martha Anne

Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)

Daughter of Phebe Lucy

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