John:

Here is the information that I have.

Finley Patterson Mast was born March 30, 1832, in Sugar Grove, Ashe County, now Watauga County, North Carolina. His father was John Mast and his mother was Susanna E. Harmon. They are listed as family group #240 in the 1850 Watauga County Census, and in the Valle Crucis Township in the 1860 census. Mast married Rhoda Smith. Their children include: David C., Mary E., Martha S., John J., Emma L., and Lillie O. Mast was a farmer and postmaster. He enlisted in Company D, 58th North Carolina Troops, on June 27, 1862, and was mustered in at the rank of first sergeant. Mast was reported absent in the hospital on January 12, 1864, but was back with his company by February 29, 1864. He was captured in Watauga County, North Carolina, by Stoneman’s raiders, on March 28, 1865. The reason he was absent from his command is not known. Mast was first sent to Knoxville, Tennessee, and then on April 12, 1865, transferred to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was then transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, where he arrived on April 26, 1865, and then transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he arrived on April 30, 1865. On June 10, 1865, Mast was paroled after taking the Oath of Allegiance. He continued to farm after the war, and in the 1910 census was found living in the Laurel Creek Township. He died on June 12, 1924, and is buried in the Finely Mast Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Watauga County, North Carolina.

Sources: The Heritage of Watauga County, Vol. I; The Watauga Boys in the Great Civil War; 1850 Watauga County Census; 1860 Watauga County Census; 1910 Watauga County Census; Watauga County Times Past, June-Sept. 1987; North Carolina Troops book.

John Allen Mast was born September 9, 1892, in Ashe County, now Watauga County, North Carolina. His father was John Mast and his mother was Susannah E. Harmon. He is listed in family group 240 in the 1850 Watauga County Census, and in the Laurel Fork Township in the 1860 census. His spouse was Martha E. Moore. Their children include Eliza J., Noah T., Charlotte C., Virginia E., Newton L., Julia A., Munsford M., Mary E., Susan A., Martha A., ad William A. Mast owned one slave before the war.
He enlisted in Company D, 58th North Carolina Troops, on July 7, 1862, and was muster in with the rank of fifth sergeant. He was hospitalized at Griffin, Georgia, on September 26, 1863, for unknown causes. Mast returned to his company prior to October 31, 1863. He was furloughed for forty days on March 27, 1864, and was declared a deserter on July 9, 1864; he was subsequently reduced back to the rank of private. Mast went over to the enemy on an unknown date, and took the Oath of Allegiance at Chattanooga, Tennessee, on or about August 17, 1864. He was released at Louisville, Kentucky, on September 26, 1864. Mast died on February 6, 1892, and is buried in the Bingham-Mast Cemetery, Watauga County, North Carolina.

Sources: The Watauga Boys in the Great Civil War; Watauga County Times Past, June-September 1987; 1850 Watauga County Census; 1860 Watauga County Census; Arthur, A History of Watauga County, NC; The Heritage of Watauga County, Vol. I

Andrew Baker Mast was born July 4, 1827. Location not known. His father was David Mast and mother was Mary Shull. He lived in the Valle Crucis Township in the 1860 Watauga County Census. His wife was Caroline L. Francis and known children are William, John C., David F., and Mary. He was a farmer. Prior to the war, he served as a first lieutenant in the Watauga Company of the 98th Regiment of North Carolina Militia. He died on October 22, 1902, and is buried in the Mast Cemetery, in Watauga County, North Carolina.

Sources:
The heritage of Watauga County, Vol. II; 1860 Watauga County Census;

I have no record of Andrew B. Mast serving in the home guard. I also have no record at all of an “N. M. Mast.”

Can you add anything to the information that I have? I am seriously thinking about writing a book on the 58th North Carolina, much like I did on the 37th North Carolina.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Michael C. Hardy
www.michaelchardy.com