This thesis presents a socio-military history of the 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, C. S. A. The narrative traces the regiment from the creation of the companies that formed the unit through the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. It focuses on the backgrounds of the men and their experiences in camp, on the march, and in battle.

The ten companies in the regiment were raised by men from eight counties across the piedmont and mountain areas of the state. After training in Raleigh during the late summer, the unit served as part of the coastal defenses near Morehead City. In March, 1862, it participated in the unsuccessful defense of New Bern.

The regiment temporarily joined the Army of Northern Virginia, serving in the Seven Days campaign and the defense of Petersburg. In the spring of 1863, it returned to North Carolina. There the unit participated in the campaign, led by Gen. D. H. Hill, to retake New Bern.

The 26th North Carolina permanently joined the Army of Northern Virginia in May, 1863. After that point, it fought in all the major battles of the army. The regiment’s high, and low, point came at the battle of Gettysburg. During the fighting on the first and third days, it suffered 734 casualties. This was the highest loss by any regiment during the Civil War. The unit rebounded from the losses at Gettysburg, only to lose heavily again at Bristoe Station.

The strong efforts of the officers prevented the regiment from being consolidated with another. By May, 1864, its numbers had risen to 760 men. The unit remained with the army during the bloody Overland Campaign, suffering badly at the Wilderness. Once the army reached Petersburg, the 26th North Carolina served in the trenches and with Hill’s corps as a counter to Federal advances. It surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia in April, 1865, at Appomattox Court House.