Personal Narrative:

Neill McNabb Cole was born in Moore County, North Carolina on November 19, 1838 to John M. Jr. Cole (1809-1890) and Flora McNabb (1809-1885). At the age of 23, Neill enlisted into the Confederate Army on August 15, 1861 along with two of his distant cousins, George C. Cole and Andrew Cole, in Jonesboro, North Carolina.[1] Moore County, North Carolina had a total of 1,430 men who participated in the Civil War, divided between nine different companies.[2] When Neill first enlisted, he became a part of Company H of the North Carolina 30th Infantry along with both of his cousins.[3] Neill M.N. Cole died on August 15, 1862, a year after enlisting, in Richmond, Virginia from Typhoid Fever.[4] Typhoid fever is an illness that can be caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria and is spread through contaminated food, water and close contact with someone who has been infected.[5] As a result of Neill M.N. Cole’s death a year after enlisting, he only had the opportunity to fight in one of the twenty-three battles the 30th North Carolina Infantry fought after being moved to the Army of Northern Virginia, which happened to be the Seven Days Battle.[6]

Regiment History:

The North Carolina 30th Infantry was made up of 10 Companies (A-K) from counties around North Carolina. The Regiment was first assigned to the District of Cape Fear, Department of North Carolina in September of 1861, where they were trained and organized at Camp Mangum.[7] In June of 1862, the 2nd, 4th, 14th and 30th North Carolina troops were moved to D.H. Hills Division of the Army of Northern Virginia, where they were assigned to George B. Anderson’s Brigade. After joining Anderson’s Brigade, the North Carolina 30th Infantry fought in several battles including the Seven Days Battle, South Mountain, and Sharpsburg. Following Anderson’s death in October of 1862, General Stephen Dodson Ramseur took command of the Brigade early into the month of November. During Ramseur’s command, from November 1862 to June 1864, the 30th North Carolina fought in eight more battles, (Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Campaign, Mine Run Campaign, Kelly’s Ford, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and North Anne). In May of 1864, Ramseur was promoted from General to Major General so William R. Cox began to command the Brigade and the 30th North Carolina fought in twelve more battles including Cold Harbor, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocracy, Snickers Gap, 3rd Winchester, Fishers Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg Siege, Fort Stedman, Saylor’s Creek, Farmville, and Appomattox Courthouse. Overall the 30th North Carolina fought twenty-three battles after moving to the Army of Northern Virginia.[8]

Family:

Neill M.N. Cole was the third child out of eleven of John M. Jr. (Captain) Cole and Flora McNabb. In 1847 John M. Jr. (Captian) Cole remarried to Georgia Parkham and had six more kids. Neill was never married and had no children.[9]

[1] Kelly, Kenneth L. . Library of Congress Book. McIver Art and Publications, Inc., 1964.

"Neill M.N. Cole." American Civil War Research Database. Accessed June 7, 2017. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?C&68279.**

"Neill M N Cole: person, pictures and information." Fold3. Accessed June 07, 2017. https://www.fold3.com/page/637476241neillmncole/photos/49290577/. Digital image, Fold3. Page 2**

[2] Maness, Thurman D. "Moore County and the Civil War." Company H 26th Regiment N.C. State Troops. Accessed June 6, 2017. http://www.companyh26th.com/moore-county-nc-and-the-civil-war.html.

[3] Moore, John Wheeler. Roster of North Carolina troops in the War Between the States. Vol. 2. Raleigh: Ash & Gatling, State printers, 1882.

[4] "Neill M.N. Cole." American Civil War Research Database. Accessed June 7, 2017. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?C&68279.**

[5] Mayo Clinic Staff. "Typhoid Fever." Mayo Web. Accessed June 6, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/typhoid-fever/basics/definition/con-20028553.**

[6] “The 30th North Carolina Troops.” 30th North Carolina Troops. 2011. Accessed June 06,2017.

http://www.30thnct.org/history%20folder/regimental%20history.htm.

[7] "Battle Unit Details." National Parks Service. Accessed June 06, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=CNC0030RI.

[8] “The 30th North Carolina Troops.” 30th North Carolina Troops. 2011. Accessed June 06,2017.

http://www.30thnct.org/history%20folder/regimental%20history.htm.

[9] Kelly, Kenneth L. . Library of Congress Book. McIver Art and Publications, Inc., 1964.