Corporal William Roland Downs

Corporal William Roland Downs

Company A, 1st Regiment N.C. Infantry (US)

A scattering of members of the 1st Regiment N.C. Infantry (U.S.) came from other states and the interior of North Carolina, but the vast majority of the men were residents of the counties that surround the Albemarle Sound, the most pro-Union area of eastern North Carolina. Nearly 170 members of the regiment were born in Beaufort County, including William Roland Downs, who enlisted in Company A at Washington on August 18, 1862, for three years service. Downs was a resident of the Chocowinity community.

Company A remained at Washington from Downs’s enlistment until late April 1864, when it withdrew to New Bern following the Confederate victory at nearby Plymouth on April 20. In the meantime, Downs was promoted to corporal on April 2, 1864.

After its arrival at New Bern, Company A was ordered to Fort Heckman at Morehead City and remained there or at the Town of Beaufort through April 1865. On June 27, 1865, Company A mustered out of service. Downs was due $100. In bounty money, which he presumably collected.

William Roland Downs (December 1, 1837-October 16, 1871) is buried approximately one-half mile from Chocowinity, about fifty yards south of State Road 1138.

Unknown Photographer

Anonymous descendant