The North Carolina in the Civil War Message Board

Re: 55th North Carolina
In Response To: 55th North Carolina ()

It seems to me that Davis' brigade was organized for at least two reasons beyond the obvious military need for additional troops.

First, of course, was to arrange a brigade for the President's brother.

Secondly, the President had been almost obsessive that the Mississippi troops in the Virginia Army be organized into "Mississippi" brigades [originally 2 brigades]. This caused one of the many arguments between Davis and Johnston.

However, when this 3rd "Mississippi" brigade was subsequently organized, the 55th NC was plugged into the brigade to complete its organization, until additional Mississippi units could be rearranged and brought to Virginia. You know that this temporary arrangement was not to the President's liking, considering the prevailing ruling of brigading by state [where ever possible].

In my opinion, all of this focus on forming a 3rd "Mississippi" brigade left the 55th NC as a "step child" or temporary unit in the brigade, hence perhaps one reason why the 55th is overlooked in some brigade publicity.

There were several other late organizing NC regiments that bounced around until they could find a permanent brigade home, most notably the 54th and 57th, ultimately of Hoke's all North Carolina brigade.

Do you know of any brigade asignments for the 55th prior to joining Davis? And, when was the 55th officially assigned to Davis? Many sources say in November.

There was a provisional brigade under Leventhorpe in the North Carolina district, and also a vague reference to French's brigade in the late summer of 1862. Could the 55th have been in either of these brigades?

I am very interested in your forthcoming book on this unit, particularly for the period of summer and fall of 1862. As a Mississippian, I am proud of the service of these "Mississippi" brigades, and as a student of the CW, I am interested in those late organizing NC units.

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