William Thomas Harbison; Company B, 11th North Carolina Infantry
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William Harbison was born on September 26, 1844 to Cynthia Qumi and Alexander Harbison in Upper Creek Township, Burke County, North Carolina. He was second born of six children; three boys and three girls. He grew up working on the family farm with his siblings.
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William, age 17, enlisted on February 1, 1862 with Company B "Hornets News Rifles", 11th North Carolina Infantry. His older brother Tolbert Payton Harbison (1843-1862) also enlisted with Co B. Tolbert unfortunately died of disease on June 13, 1862 at Camp Davis, Wilmington, North Carolina. William fought at New Berne, the Seven Days, Malvern Hill, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and Gum Swamp. In June 1863, he was in hospital at Charlottesville, Virginia with an illness. He returned to the 11th and fought at Gettysburg, South Anna Bridge, Bristoe Campaign, Bristoe Station, Mine Run Campaign, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, and Cold Harbor. On June 2, 1864 at Cold Harbor, the 11th was placed on the Confederate right in William Kirkland's Brigade, Henry Heth's Division of A.P. Hill's 3rd Corps. The previous day they had fought on the left. Here in this new position, the 11th and the rest of Hill's Corps worked vigorously to build breastworks and entrenchments. The work was dangerous as both sides had sharpshooters firing occasionally into the lines. Unfortunately, William fell a victim to this. While working near the top of one of the breastworks, a Federal sharpshooter's bullet ripped through his right knee. He was rushed to a field hospital where surgeons amputated his leg at the knee. On June 12, William was sent to St. Francis De Sales Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. On July 12, he was moved to Wayside Hospital No 9. William was given a 60-day wounded furlough in August. He was unofficially discharged in early 1865.
A folder of 23 images of documents pertaining to the Civil War service of Private William T. Harbison is freely available online from the National Archives (NARA) at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/168363422
William lived at home with his parents, their house servant, and his siblings, through most of the 1870s. He worked as the Upper Creek Township Clerk. Sometime around 1879, William married Harriet Verlicia Alexander. They had three children together; two boys and one girl. His son died in infancy and their daughter died at age 5. In 1879, they moved to Quaker Meadow, Burke County. It is presumed that their home was near Morgantown but this is unconfirmed. Here William worked as the county Registrar of Deeds. William Harbison died on July 18, 1896 at the age of 51. He is buried at the Alexander Family Cemetery. His wife died on September 22, 124 at the age of 75 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morgantown, Burke County.
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Brothers in Arms:
Tolbert Payton Harbison (1843-1862)
-Co B, 11th North Carolina Infantry (1862)
-enlisted; February 1, 1862
-died of disease at Camp Davis, Wilmington, North Carolina; June 13, 1862
William Thomas Harbison; Company B, 11th North Carolina Infantry
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William Harbison was born on September 26, 1844 to Cynthia Qumi and Alexander Harbison in Upper Creek Township, Burke County, North Carolina. He was second born of six children; three boys and three girls. He grew up working on the family farm with his siblings.
-
William, age 17, enlisted on February 1, 1862 with Company B "Hornets News Rifles", 11th North Carolina Infantry. His older brother Tolbert Payton Harbison (1843-1862) also enlisted with Co B. Tolbert unfortunately died of disease on June 13, 1862 at Camp Davis, Wilmington, North Carolina. William fought at New Berne, the Seven Days, Malvern Hill, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and Gum Swamp. In June 1863, he was in hospital at Charlottesville, Virginia with an illness. He returned to the 11th and fought at Gettysburg, South Anna Bridge, Bristoe Campaign, Bristoe Station, Mine Run Campaign, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, and Cold Harbor. On June 2, 1864 at Cold Harbor, the 11th was placed on the Confederate right in William Kirkland's Brigade, Henry Heth's Division of A.P. Hill's 3rd Corps. The previous day they had fought on the left. Here in this new position, the 11th and the rest of Hill's Corps worked vigorously to build breastworks and entrenchments. The work was dangerous as both sides had sharpshooters firing occasionally into the lines. Unfortunately, William fell a victim to this. While working near the top of one of the breastworks, a Federal sharpshooter's bullet ripped through his right knee. He was rushed to a field hospital where surgeons amputated his leg at the knee. On June 12, William was sent to St. Francis De Sales Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. On July 12, he was moved to Wayside Hospital No 9. William was given a 60-day wounded furlough in August. He was unofficially discharged in early 1865.
A folder of 23 images of documents pertaining to the Civil War service of Private William T. Harbison is freely available online from the National Archives (NARA) at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/168363422
William lived at home with his parents, their house servant, and his siblings, through most of the 1870s. He worked as the Upper Creek Township Clerk. Sometime around 1879, William married Harriet Verlicia Alexander. They had three children together; two boys and one girl. His son died in infancy and their daughter died at age 5. In 1879, they moved to Quaker Meadow, Burke County. It is presumed that their home was near Morgantown but this is unconfirmed. Here William worked as the county Registrar of Deeds. William Harbison died on July 18, 1896 at the age of 51. He is buried at the Alexander Family Cemetery. His wife died on September 22, 124 at the age of 75 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morgantown, Burke County.
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Brothers in Arms:
Tolbert Payton Harbison (1843-1862)
-Co B, 11th North Carolina Infantry (1862)
-enlisted; February 1, 1862
-died of disease at Camp Davis, Wilmington, North Carolina; June 13, 1862
Family Members
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