Archibald was the son of Margaret McMahan and "Joseph C. Reid of Georgia" as noted on his twin brother's death certificate, Wilson McWilliam McMahan-Hensley. Their mother married John Hensley about 1843 (no marriage record found) and sometime between 1860 census, the brothers changed their last name from McMahan to Hensley. Archibald and his brother joined Company C, 16th North Carolina Infantry, CSA. Archibald's record showed that he was age 23 when he enlisted on May 1, 1861, as Private in Yancey County, North Carolina. Although it was a victory for the CSA at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Archibald was one of the 105 men of the regiment who was killed.
The following is an extract of the Civil War Service record for Lt. William Jasper
Edney of Jacks Creek, Yancey County. First Lieutenant in Company C, 16th NC Regiment, also known as the Black Mountain Boys. Details of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va. May 2, 1863.
Early in the A.M. of the 2nd, the 16th under Gen. Stonewall Jackson is ordered to march around and come up behind the Union army gathered there. At 5:15 they attack in three waves. The first two waves drove the enemy back for some distance before digging in their heels. The third wave was the 16th NC under Gen. Pender; the first two waves had failed, and so, the 16th NC became the front line of attack. That evening the Black Mountain Boys were detached from Jackson's command and ordered to report to Gen J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, where they attacked a Union cavalry force at Ely's Ford at 11:30 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. they rejoined the main force. On May 3rd, Gen. Jackson is accidentally shot in the dark by an unidentified group of North Carolina soldiers, and dies at few days later. At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 17 killed, 73 wounded. A.P. Hill replaces Jackson; Pender replaces Hill; Gen Alfred Scales replaces Pender.
(The following is a letter written by Pvt. Archibald (McMahan) Hensley to his stepfather John Hensley October 1862)
"Camp near Bunkers Hill N.W
Father Dear Sir,
We are still in Camp near Bunker's hill drilling. we drill three hours a day. Times is giting very harde with the Soldiers in regard for something to eat we get nothing but beef and flour and sometimes not a nuf of it. I have no news that is worth your attention we get no nusspapers and no but little about the public affairs it is the opinion of some that peace will bee made shortly but as my part I don't see any better prospect of it than I did sixt months ago but from my own observation I no this war cant last a great while longer from the fact the Confederate States cant support it. It is now a tite sqwease for the soldiers to live on what they get. Nearly one fifth of them are barefooted and shoes cant be got for them there is a many one that hasnt got the 2nd shirt. When we were in Maryland bacon was worth 8 cts corn 60 cts wheat 100 coffee 5 lbs to the dollar Sugar 10 cts lb Sidy 10 cts everything cheap as it was before the war. I dont see any prospect of afight hear shortly though when we fall back from hear I shall look for one. The Yankees are afraid to attact us hear they cant attact us hear without wadeing the Potomic and they tride that once and cost them too much before they got back again. I am sorry to tell you that the Smallpocks are raging in Camps which will do us agreat injury though we have narry case of it in this brigade the boys are being vaccinated and doing all they can to stop it with that exceptions the health of the Army is the best I ever saw it. Our Reg is small too C. has been taken from it and gone to Tenn. Capt. Young is about to get a discharge. Col. McElroy hasnt come with his conscripts yet. It is Gen. orders to gave discharges sick furloughs and Transfurs more to the sowlders. I had a thot of getting a transfur to the 29th N.C. Reg. You will pleas tell Thomas Edge that Capt. Young says he didnt get him to pay me teen dollars if he dont tell him I shall think he ant honest fer I let him have the money when he was out. I am plenty confident that you can get McDanel out of the Army if you will try John Nils and Myself is
well--yours truly. A. Hensley"
NOTE: In June 2001, Brenda Normandin (creator of this memorial) called the National Park Service which oversees the cemeteries at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield to determine if it had an Archibald Hensley buried there. NPS told her they did not have any listing for him and suggested to check the cemeteries in town because some casualties of the battle were buried there. She checked the cemeteries listings and Archibald is not listed there either. It appears that he is one of the fallen soldiers whose grave was unmarked.
In a February 20, 2019, article called "History Walks With You", Civil War historian Don Balyeat, 2G nephew of Archibald Hensley, explains : ..."He talks about his Great-Great Uncle Archibald Hensley who served with the 16th Infantry Regiment of North Carolina. He explains why his relative has been in an unmarked grave since his death. He also talks about Archibald's twin brother Wilson, who was with him in the battle but never knew where his brother was buried. Preservation of the battlefield allowed Bayleat to visit the grave, 150 years later to the day."
The following is an extract of the Civil War Service record for Lt. William Jasper
Edney of Jacks Creek, Yancey County. First Lieutenant in Company C, 16th NC Regiment, also known as the Black Mountain Boys. Details of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va. May 2, 1863.
Early in the A.M. of the 2nd, the 16th under Gen. Stonewall Jackson is ordered to march around and come up behind the Union army gathered there. At 5:15 they attack in three waves. The first two waves drove the enemy back for some distance before digging in their heels. The third wave was the 16th NC under Gen. Pender; the first two waves had failed, and so, the 16th NC became the front line of attack. That evening the Black Mountain Boys were detached from Jackson's command and ordered to report to Gen J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, where they attacked a Union cavalry force at Ely's Ford at 11:30 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. they rejoined the main force. On May 3rd, Gen. Jackson is accidentally shot in the dark by an unidentified group of North Carolina soldiers, and dies at few days later. At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 17 killed, 73 wounded. A.P. Hill replaces Jackson; Pender replaces Hill; Gen Alfred Scales replaces Pender.
(The following is a letter written by Pvt. Archibald (McMahan) Hensley to his stepfather John Hensley October 1862)
"Camp near Bunkers Hill N.W
Father Dear Sir,
We are still in Camp near Bunker's hill drilling. we drill three hours a day. Times is giting very harde with the Soldiers in regard for something to eat we get nothing but beef and flour and sometimes not a nuf of it. I have no news that is worth your attention we get no nusspapers and no but little about the public affairs it is the opinion of some that peace will bee made shortly but as my part I don't see any better prospect of it than I did sixt months ago but from my own observation I no this war cant last a great while longer from the fact the Confederate States cant support it. It is now a tite sqwease for the soldiers to live on what they get. Nearly one fifth of them are barefooted and shoes cant be got for them there is a many one that hasnt got the 2nd shirt. When we were in Maryland bacon was worth 8 cts corn 60 cts wheat 100 coffee 5 lbs to the dollar Sugar 10 cts lb Sidy 10 cts everything cheap as it was before the war. I dont see any prospect of afight hear shortly though when we fall back from hear I shall look for one. The Yankees are afraid to attact us hear they cant attact us hear without wadeing the Potomic and they tride that once and cost them too much before they got back again. I am sorry to tell you that the Smallpocks are raging in Camps which will do us agreat injury though we have narry case of it in this brigade the boys are being vaccinated and doing all they can to stop it with that exceptions the health of the Army is the best I ever saw it. Our Reg is small too C. has been taken from it and gone to Tenn. Capt. Young is about to get a discharge. Col. McElroy hasnt come with his conscripts yet. It is Gen. orders to gave discharges sick furloughs and Transfurs more to the sowlders. I had a thot of getting a transfur to the 29th N.C. Reg. You will pleas tell Thomas Edge that Capt. Young says he didnt get him to pay me teen dollars if he dont tell him I shall think he ant honest fer I let him have the money when he was out. I am plenty confident that you can get McDanel out of the Army if you will try John Nils and Myself is
well--yours truly. A. Hensley"
NOTE: In June 2001, Brenda Normandin (creator of this memorial) called the National Park Service which oversees the cemeteries at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield to determine if it had an Archibald Hensley buried there. NPS told her they did not have any listing for him and suggested to check the cemeteries in town because some casualties of the battle were buried there. She checked the cemeteries listings and Archibald is not listed there either. It appears that he is one of the fallen soldiers whose grave was unmarked.
In a February 20, 2019, article called "History Walks With You", Civil War historian Don Balyeat, 2G nephew of Archibald Hensley, explains : ..."He talks about his Great-Great Uncle Archibald Hensley who served with the 16th Infantry Regiment of North Carolina. He explains why his relative has been in an unmarked grave since his death. He also talks about Archibald's twin brother Wilson, who was with him in the battle but never knew where his brother was buried. Preservation of the battlefield allowed Bayleat to visit the grave, 150 years later to the day."
Archibald was the son of Margaret McMahan and "Joseph C. Reid of Georgia" as noted on his twin brother's death certificate, Wilson McWilliam McMahan-Hensley. Their mother married John Hensley about 1843 (no marriage record found) and sometime between 1860 census, the brothers changed their last name from McMahan to Hensley. Archibald and his brother joined Company C, 16th North Carolina Infantry, CSA. Archibald's record showed that he was age 23 when he enlisted on May 1, 1861, as Private in Yancey County, North Carolina. Although it was a victory for the CSA at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Archibald was one of the 105 men of the regiment who was killed.
The following is an extract of the Civil War Service record for Lt. William Jasper
Edney of Jacks Creek, Yancey County. First Lieutenant in Company C, 16th NC Regiment, also known as the Black Mountain Boys. Details of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va. May 2, 1863.
Early in the A.M. of the 2nd, the 16th under Gen. Stonewall Jackson is ordered to march around and come up behind the Union army gathered there. At 5:15 they attack in three waves. The first two waves drove the enemy back for some distance before digging in their heels. The third wave was the 16th NC under Gen. Pender; the first two waves had failed, and so, the 16th NC became the front line of attack. That evening the Black Mountain Boys were detached from Jackson's command and ordered to report to Gen J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, where they attacked a Union cavalry force at Ely's Ford at 11:30 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. they rejoined the main force. On May 3rd, Gen. Jackson is accidentally shot in the dark by an unidentified group of North Carolina soldiers, and dies at few days later. At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 17 killed, 73 wounded. A.P. Hill replaces Jackson; Pender replaces Hill; Gen Alfred Scales replaces Pender.
(The following is a letter written by Pvt. Archibald (McMahan) Hensley to his stepfather John Hensley October 1862)
"Camp near Bunkers Hill N.W
Father Dear Sir,
We are still in Camp near Bunker's hill drilling. we drill three hours a day. Times is giting very harde with the Soldiers in regard for something to eat we get nothing but beef and flour and sometimes not a nuf of it. I have no news that is worth your attention we get no nusspapers and no but little about the public affairs it is the opinion of some that peace will bee made shortly but as my part I don't see any better prospect of it than I did sixt months ago but from my own observation I no this war cant last a great while longer from the fact the Confederate States cant support it. It is now a tite sqwease for the soldiers to live on what they get. Nearly one fifth of them are barefooted and shoes cant be got for them there is a many one that hasnt got the 2nd shirt. When we were in Maryland bacon was worth 8 cts corn 60 cts wheat 100 coffee 5 lbs to the dollar Sugar 10 cts lb Sidy 10 cts everything cheap as it was before the war. I dont see any prospect of afight hear shortly though when we fall back from hear I shall look for one. The Yankees are afraid to attact us hear they cant attact us hear without wadeing the Potomic and they tride that once and cost them too much before they got back again. I am sorry to tell you that the Smallpocks are raging in Camps which will do us agreat injury though we have narry case of it in this brigade the boys are being vaccinated and doing all they can to stop it with that exceptions the health of the Army is the best I ever saw it. Our Reg is small too C. has been taken from it and gone to Tenn. Capt. Young is about to get a discharge. Col. McElroy hasnt come with his conscripts yet. It is Gen. orders to gave discharges sick furloughs and Transfurs more to the sowlders. I had a thot of getting a transfur to the 29th N.C. Reg. You will pleas tell Thomas Edge that Capt. Young says he didnt get him to pay me teen dollars if he dont tell him I shall think he ant honest fer I let him have the money when he was out. I am plenty confident that you can get McDanel out of the Army if you will try John Nils and Myself is
well--yours truly. A. Hensley"
NOTE: In June 2001, Brenda Normandin (creator of this memorial) called the National Park Service which oversees the cemeteries at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield to determine if it had an Archibald Hensley buried there. NPS told her they did not have any listing for him and suggested to check the cemeteries in town because some casualties of the battle were buried there. She checked the cemeteries listings and Archibald is not listed there either. It appears that he is one of the fallen soldiers whose grave was unmarked.
In a February 20, 2019, article called "History Walks With You", Civil War historian Don Balyeat, 2G nephew of Archibald Hensley, explains : ..."He talks about his Great-Great Uncle Archibald Hensley who served with the 16th Infantry Regiment of North Carolina. He explains why his relative has been in an unmarked grave since his death. He also talks about Archibald's twin brother Wilson, who was with him in the battle but never knew where his brother was buried. Preservation of the battlefield allowed Bayleat to visit the grave, 150 years later to the day."
The following is an extract of the Civil War Service record for Lt. William Jasper
Edney of Jacks Creek, Yancey County. First Lieutenant in Company C, 16th NC Regiment, also known as the Black Mountain Boys. Details of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va. May 2, 1863.
Early in the A.M. of the 2nd, the 16th under Gen. Stonewall Jackson is ordered to march around and come up behind the Union army gathered there. At 5:15 they attack in three waves. The first two waves drove the enemy back for some distance before digging in their heels. The third wave was the 16th NC under Gen. Pender; the first two waves had failed, and so, the 16th NC became the front line of attack. That evening the Black Mountain Boys were detached from Jackson's command and ordered to report to Gen J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, where they attacked a Union cavalry force at Ely's Ford at 11:30 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. they rejoined the main force. On May 3rd, Gen. Jackson is accidentally shot in the dark by an unidentified group of North Carolina soldiers, and dies at few days later. At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 17 killed, 73 wounded. A.P. Hill replaces Jackson; Pender replaces Hill; Gen Alfred Scales replaces Pender.
(The following is a letter written by Pvt. Archibald (McMahan) Hensley to his stepfather John Hensley October 1862)
"Camp near Bunkers Hill N.W
Father Dear Sir,
We are still in Camp near Bunker's hill drilling. we drill three hours a day. Times is giting very harde with the Soldiers in regard for something to eat we get nothing but beef and flour and sometimes not a nuf of it. I have no news that is worth your attention we get no nusspapers and no but little about the public affairs it is the opinion of some that peace will bee made shortly but as my part I don't see any better prospect of it than I did sixt months ago but from my own observation I no this war cant last a great while longer from the fact the Confederate States cant support it. It is now a tite sqwease for the soldiers to live on what they get. Nearly one fifth of them are barefooted and shoes cant be got for them there is a many one that hasnt got the 2nd shirt. When we were in Maryland bacon was worth 8 cts corn 60 cts wheat 100 coffee 5 lbs to the dollar Sugar 10 cts lb Sidy 10 cts everything cheap as it was before the war. I dont see any prospect of afight hear shortly though when we fall back from hear I shall look for one. The Yankees are afraid to attact us hear they cant attact us hear without wadeing the Potomic and they tride that once and cost them too much before they got back again. I am sorry to tell you that the Smallpocks are raging in Camps which will do us agreat injury though we have narry case of it in this brigade the boys are being vaccinated and doing all they can to stop it with that exceptions the health of the Army is the best I ever saw it. Our Reg is small too C. has been taken from it and gone to Tenn. Capt. Young is about to get a discharge. Col. McElroy hasnt come with his conscripts yet. It is Gen. orders to gave discharges sick furloughs and Transfurs more to the sowlders. I had a thot of getting a transfur to the 29th N.C. Reg. You will pleas tell Thomas Edge that Capt. Young says he didnt get him to pay me teen dollars if he dont tell him I shall think he ant honest fer I let him have the money when he was out. I am plenty confident that you can get McDanel out of the Army if you will try John Nils and Myself is
well--yours truly. A. Hensley"
NOTE: In June 2001, Brenda Normandin (creator of this memorial) called the National Park Service which oversees the cemeteries at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield to determine if it had an Archibald Hensley buried there. NPS told her they did not have any listing for him and suggested to check the cemeteries in town because some casualties of the battle were buried there. She checked the cemeteries listings and Archibald is not listed there either. It appears that he is one of the fallen soldiers whose grave was unmarked.
In a February 20, 2019, article called "History Walks With You", Civil War historian Don Balyeat, 2G nephew of Archibald Hensley, explains : ..."He talks about his Great-Great Uncle Archibald Hensley who served with the 16th Infantry Regiment of North Carolina. He explains why his relative has been in an unmarked grave since his death. He also talks about Archibald's twin brother Wilson, who was with him in the battle but never knew where his brother was buried. Preservation of the battlefield allowed Bayleat to visit the grave, 150 years later to the day."
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