i>W.T. "Thad" Redmond fought with Company "C" of the 6th North Carolina Troops.
He was wounded at in his right arm at Gettysburg while carrying the colors. This photo was taken on his 83rd birthday in 1926.
The
History of the Cedar Fork Rifles
The Last Campfire
Major York's final reunion is his finest coup d' grace in 1892. Gathering in Cedar Fork on October 1 the festivities started which would bring the old Major his most notoriety. They met in Cedar Fork where the old school had been. (By this time the school had been set on fire and had burned.) Speaking to the veterans who were old men know, Fannie Lyon, now Mrs. Lowe, who had been in the sewing society, gave a history of the unit as she saw it. She was a young student at the Academy watching her brother and others become soldiers. The old Mrs. Lowe then remenised about sewing by hand the uniforms, equipment, and the procuring of the company flag which at this time she produced for the men. It had been thirty years since the men of the Cedar Fork Rifles had seen their name-sake flag. Graciously returned as a symbol of good will between North and South by Col. T.W. Higgins, whose 73rd Ohio had captured it along with the baggage in 1863. The waves of emotion swept over the veterans and tears flowed freely. Rising to the podium was Major York.
Letter in the NCDAH. From Maj. York to Ms. B.R. Lacy
Nelson. Durham Co. N.C. Sept 20 93
Ms. B.R. Lacy,
Secy. A______ Svc.
Y rs of 16th to hand
I take the earliest opportunity to reply. Cedar Fork, Wake then, Durham Co, Now, sent two companies to the Confederate Army - the finest one was the "North Carolina Grays" Co. I, 6th N.C. Regt. It is our blue flag hanging in the State Library, re-presented by Col. T. W. Higgins 73rd Ohio Regt. After my company had left a second one was formed which became "Co "G", 7th N.C. Regt Col. Reuben P. Campbell was the first col, and an old army officer & West Pointer, & fell with these colors grasped in his left hand - his right being shattered by a grape shot - June 27th 1862.
In preparing my Historic Address for the Re-union, I took in some fact relative to the 7th N.C. Regt. Private Sanders Burgess who lives within 2 miles of Cedar Fork gave me the fragment which you have now. He has another fragment, but has no legend on it. I think I can get that fragment for you. if you wish it. Mr. Burgess and others gave me this history of the flag. At the surrender, they had planted the colors to be turned over to the Federals; but as they gazed at it for the last time, they could not stand it. they returned & cut it into fragements, and kept them. Two of these fragments Private Burgess has kept. The fragment you have; was pinned to the cloth covering the Speaker's table at the Re-union Re-presentation. Oct 7th 1892. Many of the 7th N.C. recognized it easily and gazed at it intently.
At Gaines' Farm 27th Jun. 62. This 7th N.C. greatly distinguished itself. This battle flag was cut down 5 or 7 times, the color bearers being killed. Finally Col. Campbell seized it with his left hand, his right being shattered by a grape, and led the regt forward until he fell dead. As he fell the flag covered his body as perfectly as if it had been placed there by deft and designing hands. All who saw his dead body on the field will sure to give you this strange incident of the colors covering his dead body so deftly. the regt participated gallantly in the battle of Sharpsburg Md. Sept. 17th 1862. It belonged to Gen. L.O.B. Branche's brigade, and I am informed that Branch was kille men and just in rear of this battleflag, whose fragment you have with the legend "Sharpsburg"inscribed there on by order of Gen. Lee. This is all that is needed as to its heroism on that hardest-fought battle of the war - Personally I know nothing about its conduct At Gaines Farm, the Texas brigade was between me & the 7th N.C. At Sharpsburg they were on the right, a mile or two from us.
In my Historic Address, soon to be published, I think all the facts as to the flag & this fragment are given. I am now writing from memory entirely; but will not be for wrong. The Mss. of my Address has been in the State Library ever since I delivered it, & I have nothing with which to refresh my memory. When that is printed , all the facts will be given correctly. But they are substantially as given in this letter.
I shall send you the little dress sword I worn down to the 7 days. I am not sure. I hardly think, I shall change my notion about it, and possibly some other relics, which would be in better care with your society.
If there is any thing that I can do at any time to aid the Society, I shall cheerfully do it at all times.
Be pleased to return my kindest thanks to the Society for the Kindess shown me by them, and received for yourself the same for the kind and obliging manner in which you have made known their wishes to me.
Very truly
R.W. York
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