The unit was enlisted at Jefferson, North Carolina, the county seat of Ashe County on Aug. 27, 1861. It was formed of residents of Ashe County and called “Ashe Beauregard Riflemen”. The unit was mustered into state service on Nov. 20, 1861, and was assigned to the 37th Regiment North Carolina Troops as Company A.
The 37th had a long and glorious battle campaign. In March of 1862 they fought at New Bern, North Carolina, and in May and June they were in Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill and Fraziers’s Farm, Virginia. Summertime saw conflicts in Richmond, Second Manassas, Ox Hill and the Bloodiest day in American History at Sharpsburg, Maryland. The 37th was involved in major battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Petersburg to name a few. On April 9, 1865 the 37th was present and accounted for at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, For laying down of arms and surrender to Federal troops to end the war between the states.
NORTH CAROLINA 37TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
Organization: Organized at High Point on November 20, 1861. Reorganized in April 1862. Surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, 11 April 9, 1865.
First Commander: Charles C. Lee (Colonel)
Field Officers:
John B. Ashcraft (Major, Lieutenant Colonel)
William M. Barbour (Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel)
Jackson L. Bost (Major)
Owen N. Brown (Major)
John G. Bryan (Major)
Charles N. Hickerson (Major, Lieutenant Colonel)
William G. Morris (Major, Lieutenant Colonel)
Rufus M. Rankin (Major) (doubtful)
William R. Rankin (Major)
Assignments:
District of the Pamlico, Department of North Carolina (November 1861 -March 1862)
Branch's Brigade, District of the Pamlico, Department of North Carolina (March 1862)
Branch's Brigade, Department of North Carolina (April-May 1862)
Branch's Brigade, Department of Northern Virginia (May 1862)
Branch's Brigade, A. P. Hill's Division, Department of Northern Virginia (May-June 1862)
Branch's Brigade, A. P. Hill's Division, Ist Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (June-July 1862)
Branch's-Lane's Brigade, A. P. Hill's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (July 1862-May 1863)
Lane's Brigade, Pender's-Wilcox's Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (May 1863-April 1865)
Battles:
New Bern (March 17, 1862)
Hanover Court House (May 27, 1862)
Slash Church (May 27, 1862)
Seven Days Battles (June 25-July 1, 1862)
Beaver Darn Creek ()une 26, 1862)
Gaines' Mill (June 27, 1862)
Frayser's Farm (June 30, 1862)
Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862)
Cedar Mountain (August 9, 1862)
2nd Bull Run (August 28-30, 1862)
Chantilly (September 1, 1862)
Harpers Ferry (September 1245, 1862)
Antietam (September 17, 1862)
Shcpherdstown Ford (September 20,1862)
Fredericksburg (December 1.3, 1862)
Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863)
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Falling Waters (July 10, 1863)
Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)
Bristoe Station (October 14, 1863)
Mine Run Campaign (November-December 1863)
The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864)
Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864)
North Anna (May 22-26, 1864)
Cold Harbor (June 1-3, 1864)
Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)
Gravel Hill (July 28, 1864)
Fussell's Mill (August 16, 1864)
Reams' Station (August 25, 1864)
Squirrel Level Road (September 30, 1864)
Jones' Farm (September 30, 1864)
Pegram's Farm (October 1, 1864)
Hatcher's Run (February 5-7, 1865)
Petersburg Final Assault (April 2, 1865)
Battery Gregg (April 2, 1865)
Jetersvilie (April 5, 1865)
Farmville (April 7, 1865)
Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)
Further Reading: Alexander, John Brevard. Reminiscences of the Past Sixty Years.
Jacob A. Kever
Company A, 37th Regiment of North Carolina Infantry