
Red Banks Primitive Baptist Church - Greenville, NC
Posted by:
yraMC600
N 35° 34.306 W 077° 20.445
18S E 287879 N 3938974
Quick Description: Church building that was burned by U.S. troops in 1863.
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 1/8/2009 10:14:17 AM
Waymark Code: WM5HA6
Views: 7
Long Description:Text of the marker:
Federal expeditions frequently disrupted Confederate activities
in late 1863. Union forces often assembled here at Red Banks Church
because it was near Confederate camps. On December 17, 1863, a
Federal attack near here on the camp of Co. H, 3rd North Carolina
Calvary, resulted in the capture of thirty-five men.
Union Col. Joseph M. McChesney with detachments from his
command, the 1st North Carolina Volunteers (U.S.), as well as the
12th New York Calvary and 23rd New York Artillery Battery, set the
church afire on December 30. Nearby, Co. G, 3rd North Carolina
Calvary (C.S.A.), learned of the fire and rode toward the church
with a cannon and gun crew from Lt. Col. Joseph B. Starr's 13th
Battalion, North Carolina Light Artillery (Starr's Battery). Soon,
the Confedreates learned that The Federals had gotten behind them
and turned back. Lt. James H. Myrover of Starr's Battery wrote,
"they suddenly and unexpectedly met the enemy. ... The piece...was
immediately brought into position. In a moment or two our calvary
was retreating (and) it was impossible to fire the piece without
killing our own men. ... The piece was surrounded (and) 4 men were
taken prisoners." Confederate Lt. David C. Camp was killed.
A Federal report noted that "after a hand-to-hand conflict the
enemy retired, leaving 1 lieutenant and 5 men dead, with 1 piece of
Starr's fine battery, and caisson and horses. ... Our loss was 1
killed, 6 slightly wounded, 1 missing, and 3 horses disabled. ...
Lieut. William K. Adams, of Company L, First North Carolina
Volunteers, a gallant and dashing officer ... fell while making a
charge at the head of his command."