Fisher born in Salisbury in 1816 and attended Yale University in 1835 for a year. In 1854 elections, he was successfully elected as a representative from Rowan County in the state Senate and the next year president of the railroad. Fisher was also responsible for developing the new Western North Carolina Railroad but his presidency was marred with alligations of mismanagement and politics curbing the new railroad. Like York, Fisher too saw unrest on the horizon of the American continent by 1860, had many of his railroad "smiths, masons, engineers, etc." into a volunteer corps called the "Piedmont Legion" or "Piedmont Rangers". Import for the regiment is the number of cadets from the Charlotte Military Academy who joined the ranks and Fisher offered command of this unit to the superintendent, Major Daniel Harvey Hill, who would go on to become one the greatest generals in the Confederate Army. But unfortunately, HIll refused and Fisher assumed command and bankrolled to regiment from his own pockets, hoping the state would reimburse him at some point.
       On May 23rd the Military Board, which had been set up by the General Assembly to appoint officers for units. Fisher was officially commissioned as the Colonel of the 6th North Carolina State Troops and Richard York, became Captain of Compnay I, and his lieutenants received their posts as well. These commissions were back dated for Fisher to the 15th of May and the Captains to the 16th were about to evolve into the unit they would remember for the rest of their lives.
       These men met on May 27th, 1861, in Morrisville to organize the company. Wyatt Allen writes Fisher from the camp of the "N.C.G's" (North Carolina Grays). It seems Fisher had asked Allen what companies were forming in near by Chatham county. Strangely enough Allen is secretive about finding information about this unit stating, " **Fisher papers. SHC. ** I have been careful in my inquiry in order that no predijuice might arise for or against."
        The next day, May 28th the men of the North Carolina Grays raised their hands and took the oath, received their pay, and officially entered into service for the rebelious state of North Carolina.
       Five days later, on June 1st, the men and boys of the Cedar Fork Rifles met at the academy with their bags in hand and together marched the four or so miles down to Morrisville. Waiting for them on this bright June morning were residents of the community who had come together and prepared a decadent send off for their new soldier boys. The women were dresses in their finest dresses and hoops, fathers smirked with unbridled bride at their sons, and little brothers sulked at missing of the "fun" that was going to be had in the army.
       The party was to be held at the house of Malcus Williamson Page near the train depot in Morrisville, which would take them off to war. Food was prepared and set out on tables and a party atmosphere prevailed. Captain York stood proudly over his men wearing a light bronze officers dress sword which had been given to him by Captain Ed Norwood who was an old member of the Chatham militia.**Francis Hoffman Williams Collection. NCDAH The older sister of a Cedar Fork cadet, Miss Fannie Lyon who had worked so hard on uniforming the men, came forward and presented the silk flag to the company. It had the seal of North Carolina, figures of Liberty and Plenty looking toward each other. Liberty, the first figure, standing, her pole with cap on it in her left hand and a scroll in the right. Plenty, the second figure, sitting down, her right arm half extended toward Liberty, three heads of grain in her right hand, and in her left, the small end of her horn, the mouth of which is resting at her feet, and the contents of the horn rolling out. Across the bottom was incscribed, "To the Morrisville Grays by the Ladies of Cedar Fork" and on the reverse side, "The Old North State Forever". It was presented and accepted by Lt. Page, who gave a short speech on behalf of the men. The eager soldiers exploded with cheers and shouts, which echoed through the small hamlet. Patriotic and encouraging speeched were given by Capt. York, Mr. A. H. Merrit, Dr. T.W. Young and others.
       Together, soldiers and civilians sang songs honoring the new Southern Confederacy and all was bliss in the bright spring sun. After an hours intermission to eat the array of plentiful home-cooked meals, Rev. A.D. Blackwood, the pastor of the Cedar Fork church, stepped forward and gave a sermon to the men which was followed by presenting each man with a bible. Lt. Wyatt Allen then came forward and made a few words of acceptance of the gifts. The men grabbed their possessions, kissed wives, mothers, and children farewell. Tears fell and handkerchiefs fluttered, all overtook by the excitement and energy of the party and all unaware of the death and destruction that they would a part of. Oblivious to the fact that for many this would be the last time they would see their families.
       The black smoke belched from the engine and the iron wheels slowed rolled away from Morrisville toward their destination of Company Shops where the rest of the regiment was massing, making ready for war.