Tarheels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina in the Great War of 1861-65. 91 pp., hc. New material added. Rep. of 1904 ed.

Tar Heels

by Patrick A. Schroeder

Tar Heels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina in the Great War of 1861-5 is a book by soldiers who strove to make those points honored in the history of their state and of the nation. The five points refer to North Carolinaís proud claims ìFirst at Bethel, farthest to the front at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, and last at Appomattox. Appomattox generates two points: the last volley fired by the Army of Northern Virginia and its last capture of Union artillery.

In 1903, Virginia Judge George L. Christian questioned the veracity of North Carolinaís claims. Tarheel veterans felt obligated to research and present a historical account upholding their viewpoint. Each member of the committee had a distinguished war record, and in most cases participated in the engagement they reported on. In the following text, they defend their heartfelt beliefs with an abundance of first-hand accounts, reports, statistics, maps, logic, and corroborating testimony from their Federal foe.

Even today, the role of North Carolinians is largely overlooked. Pettigrewís, Scalesí, Davisí and Laneís brigades no doubt advanced farther to the left of "the Angle" during Longstreet's July 3, 1863, assault causing confusion for Webbís Federal brigade in "the Angle."

In Longstreetís July 3 assault, Pickett's Virginians lost an average of 91 men per regiment. Pettigrew's larger units sustained a higher ratio of casualties losing an average of 250 men per regiment. The Gettysburg section may attract the most attention. Yet, North Carolina's participation at Big Bethel, where they suffered the first battle fatality (Henry L. Wyatt of Company A, 1st North Carolina Infantry), and their advance and capture of artillery pieces at Chickamauga are also compelling. "The Last at Appomattox" reveals scarce details about the final battle fought by the Army of Northern Virginia and the prominent role played by General Bryan Grimes and North Carolina soldiers.

Tar Heels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina in the Great War of 1861-5 is an excellent primary source. However, until now, the book could only be found in rare bookstores, if at all. It is reprinted in its orginal text, with a corrected index, photographs of key North Carolina commanders and soldiers, and a page citing the inscriptions on the North Carolina monuments at Appomattox.

Patrick A. Schroeder