He also served with countless relatives during the Civil War or War Between the States, in the 62 regiment, North Carolina. Two of his sons also served in the 62 regiment, Alfred Webb (A.W.) and John Henry (J.H.) Parker. Family, friends and neighbors serving together was common practice, it was unthinkable to coward in the presence of family, and one dared not turn tail and run when your family rallies "CHARGE!"
One example is that many Parkers fought along side with some of the original petitioners-founders of Jackson County, North Carolina (so formed in honor of President Andrew Jackson). There were approximately 300 original Founders of Jackson County, North Carolina. Original prominent Founders of Jackson County, North Carolina, and Petitioners of the North Carolina State Legislature, to also fight in the 62 regiment North Carolina are as follows; 10 Parker's, 14 Bryson's, 9 Coward's, and 5 Buchanan's. Of course there were other prominent Jackson County families to contribute to the South. For further reading see: Thomas' Legion, also referred to as, 69 Regiment, North Carolina; first Confederate Regiment to recruit two full Company's of Cherokee Indians.
I have three relatives that fought with the renowned Colonel William Thomas, in Thomas' Legion or also called, 69 Regiment of North Carolina. He was considered a Chief by the Cherokee and savior of over 1000 Cherokee, during the bloody "Trail Of Tears."
JACKSON COUNTY PETITIONERS
PLEASANT PARKER, my Great Great Great Uncle
Served while in the 62nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry (home was Caney Fork, Jackson County). 62nd Infantry Regiment was formed at Waynesville, North Carolina, in July, 1862. It's members were raised in the counties of Haywood, Clay, Macon, Rutherford, Henderson, and Transylvania. The unit served in North Carolina, then in July, 1863, was assigned to General Gracie's Brigade and stationed at Cumberland Gap. Here many were surrendered in September, but a number escaped from being captured. They returned to the Asheville area and in April, 1864 had 178 men present. The records show 443 men of the 62nd were prisoners at Camp Douglas. It continued the fight under Generals Breckinridge, Vaughn, and Williams in East Tennessee, then became a part of Colonel J.B. Palmer's command at Asheville in March, 1865. Later it disbanded near the French Broad River. The field officers were Colonels George W. Clayton and Robert G.A. Love, and Lieutenant Colonel Byron G. McDowell. Company Deaths Recorded in the Diary (My Great Great Uncle J.P. Parker was one of many from the 62nd regiment listed among casualties) Above is from The Civil War Diary of Ezekiel A. Brown (Ezekiel A. Brown died in Camp Douglas Ill. June 18th 1865). The account below, written in 1901 by B.G. McDowell, includes precious little information about the men of the 62nd. After the surrender of Cumberland Gap, the men of the Sixty-second Regiment who were at home on furlough, and all those who escaped capture went into camp at Pigeon river, in Haywood County, N. C. After remaining there for a few days, they entered again into active service and never for one moment flinched from any duty assigned them, nor from constant danger to which they were exposed, to the end of the war. In April, 1864, the fragment of the regiment was at Asheville under command of Captain Aug. B. Cowan and reported 178 men...........
THE CLOSING SCENES.
The Sixty-second North Carolina Regiment were the very last men to surrender when the war closed. The fragmentleft of the regiment composed part of Palmer's Brigade at Asheville 10 March, 1865, and under General Martin aided to repulse Kirby's Brigade near that town 5 April, 1865. Many of them never did take the oath of allegiance. The remnant of this regiment, along with other brave and noble men of the Old North State, after General Lee's surrender in Virginia, resisted a Federal force on the French Broad, near Asheville, and held them at bay for hours, until overcome by overwhelming forces and when forced to withdraw, under Colonel Clayton, did so and went to their homes and never did take the oath of allegiance as then required by the Federal authorities. No braver or more noble hearted men ever lived than those composing the Sixty-second North Carolina Regiment of Infantry.
B. G. McDowell
Bristol, TENN.
30 May, 1901
In the period 1885-1901, the pensioner was allowed $30 if he lost a leg, an eye, an arm, or became incapacitated. A surviving widow, if not remarried, could claim the same amount. Those who had property valued at $500 or more or those who received a salary of more than $300 per year from a federal or state job were not eligible for pensions.
Parker, Pleasant, 62nd North Carolina Regiment
Submitted by: Matthew Dean Parker
Anyone with more information or
questions, please contact me.
CONFEDERATE NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS
62nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry
62nd Infantry Regiment was formed at Waynesville, North Carolina, in July, 1862. Its members were raised in the counties of Haywood, Clay, Macon, Rutherford, Henderson, and Transylvania. The unit served in North Carolina, then in July, 1863, was assigned to General Gracie's Brigade and stationed at Cumberland Gap. Here many were surrendered in September, but a number escaped from being captured. They returned to the Asheville area and in April, 1864 had 178 men present. The records show 443 men of the 62nd were prisoners at Camp Douglas. It continued the fight under Generals Breckinridge, Vaughn, and Williams in East Tennessee, then became a part of Colonel J.B. Palmer's command at Asheville in March, 1865. Later it disbanded near the French Broad River. The field officers were Colonels George W. Clayton and Robert G.A. Love, and Lieutenant Colonel Byron G. McDowell.
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