Captain Samuel S. Biddle
Dublin Core
Title
Captain Samuel S. Biddle
Subject
Company C (the "Neuse Guards"), 61st Regiment N.C. Troops
Description
In January-February 1862 a volunteer heavy artillery company known as the “Robinson Artillery” organized in Craven County and was mustered into service on March 5. The new company was attached to the 40th Regiment N.C. Troops (3rd Regiment N.C. Artillery) as Company K. The men were placed in the fortifications defending New Bern and received their baptism of fire at the Battle of New Bern, just eight days later. More than ten men appear to have been killed in action.
After the retreat from New Bern, the “Robinson Artillery” was ordered to Wilmington where it was stationed at Fort Fisher, and later at Fort Johnston, Brunswick County. In September 1862 the company was converted from heavy artillery to infantry and in November assigned to the 61st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company C. The company was now known as the “Neuse Guards.”
Samuel S. Biddle, Jr. (born September 18, 1843) was a student when he enlisted as first sergeant in the “Robinson Artillery” on February 25, 1862. Samuel’s family, which resided in Russell’s District, Craven County, was a wealthy one. His father, although describing himself as a “farmer” in the 1860 census, had substantial real estate holdings and one hundred slaves.
Samuel was elected second lieutenant in July 1862, promoted to first lieutenant the following September, and to captain on August 8, 1864, three months before his twenty-first birthday. In July 1863 the 61st North Carolina was ordered to South Carolina, where it participated for several months in the defense of Charleston Harbor. However, three companies were detached and remained in North Carolina. Company C was ordered to Kenansville in Duplin County, where it apparently remained on picket, outpost, and recruiting duty before joining the remainder of the 61st North Carolina at Petersburg in December 1863.
Samuel was hospitalized on several occasions during the war, the final time at General Hospital No. 3 at Raleigh, from whence he returned to duty on April 1, 1865. There are no further military records for him. He died on November 7, 1868, and is buried in the Simpson-Biddle Cemetery, Fort Barnwell, Craven County.
After the retreat from New Bern, the “Robinson Artillery” was ordered to Wilmington where it was stationed at Fort Fisher, and later at Fort Johnston, Brunswick County. In September 1862 the company was converted from heavy artillery to infantry and in November assigned to the 61st Regiment N.C. Troops as Company C. The company was now known as the “Neuse Guards.”
Samuel S. Biddle, Jr. (born September 18, 1843) was a student when he enlisted as first sergeant in the “Robinson Artillery” on February 25, 1862. Samuel’s family, which resided in Russell’s District, Craven County, was a wealthy one. His father, although describing himself as a “farmer” in the 1860 census, had substantial real estate holdings and one hundred slaves.
Samuel was elected second lieutenant in July 1862, promoted to first lieutenant the following September, and to captain on August 8, 1864, three months before his twenty-first birthday. In July 1863 the 61st North Carolina was ordered to South Carolina, where it participated for several months in the defense of Charleston Harbor. However, three companies were detached and remained in North Carolina. Company C was ordered to Kenansville in Duplin County, where it apparently remained on picket, outpost, and recruiting duty before joining the remainder of the 61st North Carolina at Petersburg in December 1863.
Samuel was hospitalized on several occasions during the war, the final time at General Hospital No. 3 at Raleigh, from whence he returned to duty on April 1, 1865. There are no further military records for him. He died on November 7, 1868, and is buried in the Simpson-Biddle Cemetery, Fort Barnwell, Craven County.
Creator
Unknown Photographer
Source
1860 U. S. Census, Russells District, Craven County, North Carolina, population schedule, page 67, dwelling 515, family 507, S.S. Biddle household; 1860 U.S. Census, Russells District, Craven County, North Carolina slave schedule, page 55, S.S. Russell, slave owner; Manarin et. al., North Carolina Troops 1:500, 14:607-608, 668; service record files of Samuel S. Riddle, 61st Regiment N.C. Troops, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers from the State of North Carolina (M270), RG109, NA; http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Biddle...&
Contributor
Michael Black Collection
Format
Ambrotype
Files
Citation
Unknown Photographer, “Captain Samuel S. Biddle,” Tar Heel Faces, accessed May 18, 2024, https://tarheelfaces.omeka.net/items/show/117.
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