General Lees Immortals The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in t by Michael C Hardy

Author:Michael C Hardy
Format: epub

Major William Rufus Rankin in the 37th North Carolina lost his bid for re-election in April 1862. He went on to serve as sergeant-major of the 28th North Carolina, and surrendered at Appomattox.

David Rankin, Jr.

While the regiments were learning their roles within the new brigade, Branch reorganized his staff. Several men helped a brigade commander run the unit. Lieutenant James Bryan, likely already serving before Branch’s appointment, was the ordnance officer. Captain Daniel Carraway held the assistant commissary of subsistence post. One of Branch’s kinsmen, William Blount Rodman, a lawyer from Washington, NC, served for a month as Branch’s quartermaster before resigning and later becoming a cavalry colonel. Mississippi native Maj. Joseph Engelhard, who attended both UNC and Harvard Law School, began as assistant quartermaster in the 33rd Regiment before transferring to brigade staff in June 1862 as Rodman’s replacement. Francis Hawks, an assistant engineer during construction of New York’s Central Park before the war, became Branch’s engineer officer in March 1862. Branch nominated his brother-in-law, William A. Blount, Jr., as his aide-de camp, with the rank of lieutenant. Aides-de-camp held rather undefined positions as a general’s personal staff. During battle, they frequently conveyed messages. At other times, they could fill in wherever necessary. Branch’s other aide-de-camp was Lt. William Cannady, a former West Point cadet.³¹

On March 27, Branch’s superior, Maj. Gen. Theopholus Holmes, advised Gen. Robert E. Lee that after inspection and review of Branch’s command, the regimental commanders had assured him “that there was no demoralization … the men were tolerably well supplied and most anxious to advance.” According to John Conrad (28th NC), Holmes complimented the men’s patriotism: they should, he said, be “held up as a bright example and be rewarded for [their] valor.”

Amidst all this organizational tumult, Branch remained unsure about exactly how many Federals remained nearby. He estimated three or four regiments, with five or six steamers. However, he did know the enemy were camped beyond the Trent River, and the bridge was gone.³²

Despite Holmes’s assertions, Branch’s regiments that fought at New Bern were in rough shape. One officer noted in early April 1862, the regiments which lost their baggage had been reduced to living in demoralizing “brush houses.” Captain Morris luckily kept his money, but he had lost his uniform, sword, trunk, and other items during the retreat. Others noted loss of blankets and clothes. With state supplies running low, Governor Clark generated some relief by appealing to the people of the state to help resupply the destitute regiments with clothes and blankets. Local newspapers published resolutions of thanks from two companies in the 37th.³³

From time to time, regiments undertook various missions. Picket duty towards New Bern was common. William Bellamy (18th NC) found the 24-mile trip a “long & tedious walk” but thought “an attack will be made on Newbern soon.” Jackson Bost (37th NC) recalled in mid-April, the men marched 16 miles toward New Bern, dismantling the railroad and returning with the rails. Iron rails were in scarce supply across the Confederacy, and they could be reused elsewhere.

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