"Hello my name is Wesley Gant and I am a descendent of Pinkney Gant who served in the unit. While doing research on him I recently visited the

State Archive in Raleigh and found a document that would be of much interest to the webpage. I am currently typing it from the copies of the origanal,

its title is "Reminiscence of civil war history by James C Elliot" and is 20 pages long and list many of the service of soldiers from Cleveland County.

I am currently on page 12 of 20 and will send it to you when I finish. I also have some information on Pinkney which would be beneficial to your page.

Thank You,

Wesley Gant"

13 Mar 2008 I told Wesley that I would be honored to share his find with other researchers, and asked that he include source information for documentation:

"I'm sorry to say I didn't write that information but you can reach the NC archive at 919-807-7280, every one there is very helpful.

The aforementioned paper was found in the archive room (Floor 2) in the box is also a copy of a payroll sheet from 1862 with the names of
Allen, Rufus L.
Beaver, David
Crowder, Joseph
Earls, Hiram
Finch, James C
Gladdin, Lacy
Gant, Pinkney
Gant, J A
Goins A B
Gibson, O P
Green, Wm
Hambrick, Thomas
Hord, T Jefferson
London, Anonymous
London, Sidney
Ledford, L McCee
Mcmurray, Bartlette Y
Price, Peter
Pheilbeck, David M
Richards, Wesley
Spoke[?] Philip
Sanders, Griffin
Sparks, Albert
Sulles [?] DH
Spayer, Johnathan
 They were all paid $5.11 and the document is signed by Capt. H J Schenk and paymaster  A H Leivil [?]"

This is Wesley's transcription and we thank him sincerely for sharing his hard work with us:

1
"Lattimore NC R[?]lx April 21rst 1913
Reminiscence of civil war history by James C Elliot
Private Co. F 56^th NC I 1861-65
Mrs JJ Lattimore Shelby, NC
My dear madame- we appreciate your patriotic in gathering up the fragments of civil war history. The most of which has been lost and the time of any more personal reminiscences will soon have passed. I will begin at home- a write up of my neighbors and school companions . Among those most prominent are the Baltimore family, embracing ten of my school companions among those most prominent are the Lattimore family. Embracing ten of my school fellows. Uncle big john Lattimore furnished seven boys in the regular service. Uncle big john Baltimore 3 sons - all. Strong brave and enthusiastic in the cause to the last uncle big john Baltimore was a remarkable man. Standing 6ft 4in wieght over 300lbs. when young he could outrun, out laugh, and out lift any man in his country. And could do as much work chopping wood and cradling grain as two ordinary men. He could jump farther backward than most men could forward. He could take the negro men to the coaling ground where his normal task was 6 cord of 4 foot wood per day
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Though so strong and brave, he never struck a man with his fist. On a few occasions he has picked up a troublesome fellow - shook him a little. Lay him on the ground and told him to behave himself. And he always did. He kept no accounts with his neighbors any thing he had they were welcome to “pay back when you are able- if not keep it” was his motto his wife Isabelle Carson, a daughter of the famous sheriff Billy Carson of Rutherford Co. He lived on good creek farm of about 1500 acres and owned about 20 negroes their children cam as follows; William c , Sallie, Daniel, John, Joseph, Samuel, James, Frank, Thomas D., Audley M., and Meary C. At the beginning of the war William C had married lizzie harris sallie William Packard. Samuel Mary Gidney. All the other were single and old enough for war except audley - William was a farmer and was detailed to make leathers for the confederate government. Daniel and Johny enlisted in leapt billy bearbitts company in may 1861. Daniel was made 2^nd lieutenant they were mustered into the 5^th regiment. Twelve months volunteers then after reorganization 1862 into the 15^th reg. leapt having been crippled in a railroad wreck did not serve anymore.
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Then Judson J Meagniss was made chaplain and Daniel Lattimore first lieutenant they served from Yorktown to Richmond 7 day battles and Manassas Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg-Chancellorsville, etc. when liray M-[?] after was made colonel 49^th regt. Which was assigned to Meatt Ransoms brigade south of James river dept. AT Drury’s Bluff 16 may 1864 john Lattimore was shot in the left wrist. I saw him leaving the field, in August 1864 lieutenant Daniel Lattimore was killed by long range bullet while laying under his tent fly. Reading his bible in the N.E. side of the Petersburg Cemetary where his Co. had retired from the trenches for a days rest. John Lattimore went on through the nine months siege to Appomattox surrender. Samuel Lattimore visiting those brothers at Yorktown August 1861 contracted measles of which he died. Joseph Lattmiore was in Texas and enlisted early from that state after serving about two years in the western armies was taken prisoner and held 2 years which wrecked his health and he died a few years after. The war leaving a widow and two children.
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James and Thomas D. Lattimore joined Capt. A. G. Waters Co. Thas D. as 3^rd Luietenetn and mustered into 34^th regt. Was their history as they were with it from seven days battle at Richmond, 2^nd Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness on the siege of Petersburg and to Appomattox. Thomas had command of the Litter Bearers of his brigade during last years of war. James drove a wagon. Part of the time. At one time, I have not data, in a hard fought battle swaying back and forth with heavy loss the flag of the 34^th had gone down 4 times. The men and officers were scattered, demoralized, Jim Lattimore caught up the flag and waving it called out “here’s your flag boys, rally to your colors- Rally to your colors-” Reformed the firing line and saved a rout. They had fallen back a little under cover of the ground and planting the flag staff in the ground while the men would step back a few paces to load and then up to the flag to shoot. He got a bullet through his shoulder and was borne from the field leaving his colors flying. He got a Furlough home and joined the Baptist Church. But was
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Soon back and stood to his flag until it went down at Appomattox. Never to Rise again Frank went as a recruit to the Co. and fought through the wilderness and through the siege of Petersburg up to the 26^th of March when he was taken prisoner, on Hatcher’s Run and he was with me at Point Lookout, Md. Until last of the June 1865. Audley M. went out at 18 months upto Appomattox making fine [rearguard] as a faithful soldier. Uncle Big Joe Lattimore , a brother of Big John, lived close by on a large farm with negro slaves- He was 6ft 4in and weighed 200lbs he was quick tempered quick spoken but tendered hearted and hospitable no one ever asked a favor of him and was denied. He was very positive in his political and religious views . He married Launasa Robbison a daughter of Jesse Robbison of Lincoln Co. They had three sons old enough to get into the war. Jesse R. Lattimore was 19 when he joined Capt. A.G. Waters Co. along with his cousins Jim and Tom Lattimore Jesse was strong healthy boy - did not use tobacco in any form and was never sick a day from duty. He was in all the campaigns battles
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of his regt. He served Part of the time with Lieutenant Tom Lattimore asa litter bearer when he carried General Pender off the field. Mortally wounded . He said “General Pender this makes three times I’ve carried you back. General Pender replied “that’s so Jesse” He was Pleased that the general recognized him - That he knew his name - My uncle Thomas L. Carson of Capt. Dickerson’s Co. 34 regt. Said that the bravest deed he saw during the war was done by Jesse Lattimore[;] a battle was raging with varying success- they were laying in a field of tall corn firing along the rows - a wounded soldier lay near the yankee firing line. Calling pitifully to his comrades to come after him. They answered back to him that they could not “till the Yankees get you” - “I want them to get me” they say you can have me - They won’t shoot you - Jesse called on the Litter Bearers and a man volunteered to go with him and taking a liter they went slipping up the corn rows - the stalks falling around them nearly up to the yankees they went and brought the wounded man back to Jesse he was a comrade in dire distress, for whom
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He risked his life after they had gotten their paroles and was ready to start home Jesse picked up a musket and brought it home with him fooling it all the way. He said he thought he would feel awkward walking so far without a musket to carry. That is probably all the musket brought from Gen. Lee’s surrender and it should be preserved Jesse picked up a young negro boy that had been with him several months. As faithful as Robinson Crusoe’s man Friday Jess called his faithful darky Joe Hooker- After the famous Union General - Joe Hooker accompanied him home and stayed with him as long as he lived which was only to nov. 1867 Jesse was accidentally hurt falling from a high door in a cotton gin house and only lived a few days - Joe Hooker remained with the family some time longer, and then went to work on railroad west of Morganton where he was killed by a caving bank . Two sudden tragic deaths of good friends. - so soon after so many narrow escapes this live cannot solve such pathetic mysteries. Pinkney Lattimore entered the army as an 18 year old recruit
8
Joining the 48^th regt. Cooks brigade along with wm b Neagle and several others from Cleveland co. in the fall of 1862 he was brave faithful soldier up to the battle of raim’s [?] station Aug 1864. Where in the famous charge of cook’s and lanis brigades he lost his life on the enemies earthworks - as his regiment swung past the 34^th regt. As they went into the charge pink said to lieutenant Tom Lattimore . “we are going to move them yankees this time” - and they did. But at fearful cost. Samual Lattimore went out at 18 in 1864 and served in a detached battalion guarding federal prisoners at Salisbury part of the time - Charles B Lattimore oldest son of Daniel Dobbins Lattimore and a cousin of the afore said boys though not 17 when the war closed has served about 2 years with the home guards and feels right much like a veteran
9
The Wills family in the civil was 1861-5 John K wills was one of the big men of upper Cleveland. Standing 6ft. 2in. And weighed about 250lbs - his wife was Mary Carson a daughter of sheriff Billy Carson . He lived on the best river farmers in the county and owned about 50 negroes. He was a Methodist extoller a good farmer and showed fine business sense in all his undertakings. He always did just what he thought was right regardless of what others might think of it. At uncle big John Lattimore Corn Shucking 1rst Dec. 1860 Wills sent 24 hands - 20 negroes and 4 white boys that was the way neighbors helped each other in the good old days. After Supper the conversation was mostly about the prospects of war then looming up - His oldest son Robert G Wills was a weakly man and did not serve in the regular army . 2^nd son Thomas P. lived in Shelby and hired a substitute Meases White to take his place. 3^rd son Lewis volunteered in the first company raised and was mustered into 2^nd regt. As a lieutenant and served faithfully up to Chancellorsville where he was killed leading his Co. while driving the enemy steadily back. John K [Jesse?], 4^th son joined the Co. with his brother Lewis
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at the age of 18 years in 1862 and served faithfully up to Appomattox. 5^th son James H went out at 17 years of age in 1864 and was made captian of the 1rst Co. of 17 year old boys raised in Cleveland. He made a fine efficient officer and served to the class of war.
The Withrows - in the Civil War
James Withrow a grandson of the Capt. James Withrow of Kings Mountain battle fame,
Married Rixie Wells a Daughter of Robert Wills and a sister of John K Wills. He lived in Rutherford Co. on Hinton’s creek on the eastside of cherry Mountain on a large farm and owned about 45 negroes. He was a good farmer and a very devout Methodist extoller and like his brother in law Wills Raised much corn to sell. He Furnished the Confederate army 6 sons. 4 of whom served in a Cleveland Co. enlisting with Capt. Billie Corbett served in the 5^th , 15^th, and 49^th regts with the Co up to Appomattox. William P Withrow as orderly Sergeant led that Co. through the whole war. He was severely wounded several times and lost and eye in battle. John C Withrow was noted for his fine physique a real athlete
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As a great Turkey hunter - he was noted as a fine rifle shot and his comrades said he was the best soldier that ever handled a musket always quiet calm and diliberate taking steady aim in the hundreds of shots that he fired in many battles. He was wounded a number of time, I think, shot though both arms and thigh. He always soon recovered and was back at his post. And come home from Appomattox a strong vigorous man. James Withrow Died of measles at Yorktown Va fall of 1861 Thomas B Withow was wounded at Fredericksburg and did not serve any more Adolphus Withrow I think went out with Capt. Edwar’s Sandy Run Yellow Jackets and served with 34^th regt. He was shot through the hand and afterwards died of sickness - Jason the youngest son went out with the 17 year old boys while the were stationed at Wilmington NC He had the experience of running the blockade he and a comrade Elijah Soneizy[?] were prowling around on a blocade runner when the vessel sailed off with them tp Nassua Island and brought them in about a week he says they enjoyed the trip fine. He is the only one now living
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Ezekiel Bridges was a small man living on a small farm with a big family. His wife was a Webb - He furnished 8 sons to the army Uncle Zeke and his boys were as loyal and enthusiastic for the cause as any all were good and faithful to the last. Alfred served in the Capt. Harrels Co. I - 56^th Regt. Lawson A Co F 56^th regt - Derek and Willam in Capt Edwards Co 34 regt. Albert command not know by writer, John and Dan were killed in battle David and Albert died. Lawson A was one of the cool bravest soldiers in his Co. as witnessed this writer, Uncle Richard Philbick[?] another small man small of stature but large in southern patriotism furnished 3 sons john P, William and Thomas F. all enlisted in Capt. Edwards Co. 34 - Regt John P had knee shattered by a piece of shell and is still living going on a crutch for 50 years William was a fine soldier and went with the picked sharpshooters and skirmishes for his regt. At the breaking of lines at Petersburg spring 1865 he was shot in the face under the left eye and Dr. VJ Palmer extracted the ball from the roof of his mouth one year after the war
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He is living yet but in poor health. Thomas F was sick and hospitals a good deal but he could see more of the funny side of war than any one we know he was taken prisoner on hatchins run 25 of march 1865 and was in Point Lookout Prison with me the Davis boys close nieghbors to me all married men Simon and Hamley Davis enlisted with Capt. Edwards Co. 1861 34 regt. Both good and true Simon lost a leg above knee- when Stonewall Jackson was wounded. He said it was after night and our men who fired on Gen Jackson drew yankee artillery fire and Gen Jackson drew the yankee artillery fire that broke his leg he died at his home near Bryson city about 2 yearsago Hanley was tough as whitleather and was shot and shelled a number of times but never seriously hurt Thomas and Pinkney Davis was with our Co. F 56 regt. Thomas was a good soldier and died of fever during Peteresburg Pinkney Died of Dropsy summer 1864 Nathan the last to go in the 40 to 45 call did not live long Uncle Andy Harmon for many years the miller for the wills and Lattimore mills on the river was a devout Methodist class leader with a nice family of 2 sons and 8 daughters they kept the mills and tilled the farm
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And made decent living Morgan Whisnant[?] married the oldest daughter Martha and John Womach. A nice young man a school teacher married the second daughter Bettie Jefferson Harmon and doc the youngest with the two sons in law volunteered and went to the war. I forgot their command, but think Whisnant and womach were in the 55^th regt. Womach was killed in the battle of Gettysburg Both Haromn boys were killed in battle and MorganWhisnant lost a leg - this most pathetic case I can recall old man Harmon broken down by age left with 8 daughters and a crippled son-in-law they all moved to Illinois in 1867 and I visited them there in 1868 they did better there than they could have done here at that time.
The Shields brothers Robert and Ruben Shields had established a buggy and blacksmith shop at Polkville in 1860 In spring of 1861 Ruben Shields enlisted in Capt. Bill Learbells[?] Co. and in October 1861 Robert Shields enlisted in Capt. AG Waters Cleveland Guards 34 Regt Robert Shields come back on furlough and married Launesa[?] Ledford daughter of John Ledford. He returned and was killed I think with Capt. Waters at Richmond 1862
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Mrs BC Hicks of Lawndale, NC is a daughter of Robert Shields she never saw her father and her mother named her after here father calling here Bobbie Shields. Ruben was killed in some of the early battles of the war - thus passed two good and useful men in the prime od youthful manhood. William Finch of Capt. Learbills[?] Co was probably the first man killed in battle from Cleveland he was killed near Yorktown, Va spring 1862
Joseph Bracket and Amos Philbeck[?] were credited by their comrade as being the best all around men in learbell’s [?] Co. as Samuel Putnam said Recently They never engaged in any mischief and were always quickly at their posts, but he was totally blind for several years but he is in comfortable circumstances Lieutenant John London one of the original Corbett’s Co. men was a fine soldier promoted for bravery was killed in the siege of Petersburg the London’s fared badly in our Co -F 56 -regt Uncle John lost two sons Sergeant William died of wound and Tommie[?] of sickness - uncle Chan London lost 3 boys. Anonymous[?] Sidney and John leaving orderly sergeant Andy London as one out of six.
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The Cabanisses in the Civil War -
Harvey D. and his youngest brother Frank Cabanisses enlisted in Capt. Learbells[?] Co in spring of 1861 - Harvey D was elected 1^st lieutenant and later made major of 5^th regt. Volunteers being over 35 years old upon the reorganization of the consort act. He came home for a while and then went back and served as a private until last winter of the war at Petersburg he was appointed clerk of court martial con - at the battles of Drury’s Bluff in may 1864. He was in the ranks carrying a musket. Next day after the big battle in which Gen BH Butler was routed and driven back on 16 - may . He said to me “I stood beside a pine tree in 50 yards of them and took 15 as clean shots as I ever did at a partridge the yankees held their position until our flanking force come up on their right and his regt 49^th lost heavily. Frank Cabanisses a brave soldier was killed at Sandy Ridge near New Bern, NC. Joseph Cabanisses was lieutenant in the 55^th regt. Where he won a reputation of a brave soldier. Their older brother Meant [?] Cabanisses went to that company as a 40 year old recruit and made a faithful record. Two older brothers George and Sanford Cabanisses lived in Ala. And served in the western army where Sanford was killed
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I visited Sanford Cabanisses’ widow and family in Talladega, Co. Ala. 1868 Pin and Bony Cabanisses enlisted in the Cleveland guards and into the 2^nd Regt. Bony Died of Fever and Pink served to the close of the war in all the campaigns of the regt. Making a faithful record , think he was at Appomattox. He drove a wagon part of the time James Cabanisses and Thomas P were sons of James Cabanisses and Susannah Hard. They were both fine soldiers Jim Cabanisses served all the war in a SC regt. He was a trusty scout - I saw him in the trenches at Petersburg, Thomas P Cabanisses went out with our Co -F 56^th - Being same hieght he and I always stood in the same rank my place in line was behind Tom at New Bern Feb 2^nd 1864 he plunderd some vacant houses while we were on skirmish line together and got a bad case of small pox but he recovered for spring campaigning battle of Plymouth April 20^th 1864 He was shot down as we advanced through the town after the battle was over we went back to hunt him up and he was gone and when found was eating yankee crackers he was hungry he hadn’t had any supper or breakfast so we were as hungry
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He had been struck in the breast with a spent shot ball and pretty badly bruised so he never stopped for that so side by side we marched on to Washington, NC Then via Greenvill and Snowhill to New Bern - Thence back to Kinston and thence to Petersburg and Drury’s Bluff 13-16 and Bermuda Hundred on 20^th May 1864 at about 1:30 pm in 40 yards of the yankee line of rifle pits was shot dead by my side and we were ordered to fall back and retreated leaving 4 of our Co. dead to be buried by the yankees - he was a brave bo and died with his face to the enemy our regt. Alone had been thrown against a fortified position but we held our ground until ordered to retreat after. We had runback a ways - I heard the order Halt; and halting promptly, about faced and taking cover by a little pin [?] Copped [?] . My gun and gave them another shot. Then looks around and saw that I was alone - the only man that had stopped So I put out after them and when I got up with the colors only about as man as a good company had stopped but soon most of the regiment was rallied and brought up and some SC - Regiments come to our support we advanced with them and drove the yankees back to their rifle pits
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That evening as we fell back. John Swezy[?] an 18 year old recruit of the Co. I Capt. Harrel Co. that had gone with me to the army was helping out a wounded comrade David Meoony [?] - a yankee officer ran up near tham and commanded them to surrender. Young swezy [?] shot the officer down and swung on to mooney and brought him back
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War Experience of James C Elliot confederate veteran from Cleveland Guards Chapter NDC Written for Miss Carry Legan [?] Historion NC Dimion [?] NDC"