Henry W. Fullenwider

In 1860 he was a 23 year old overseer, probably on John R Alexander's plantation (17 slaves), near Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, NC. He enlisted there in April 1861 as a Private in Company B, the Bethel Regiment for 6 months' service. He enlisted again, at Manassas, VA in February 1862 and joined Company K, 23rd North Carolina Infantry as a Private on 18 February. He was wounded "four times" at Seven Pines, VA in June 1862 and was promoted to Sergeant by September.

He was mentioned by Brigadier General D. H. Hill as having been "highly commended" by his commanding officer for his service on the Campaign. He was wounded by gunshots to his thigh and side at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862 and captured there. Company K's Captain William H Johnston later wrote of him:

He fought like a hero at Cold Harbor & Malvern Hill & at South Mountain he displayed his usual gallantry. At Sharpsburg none could have fought better, at which battle he was twice wounded.

He was admitted to US Army General Hospital #5 in Frederick, MD on 12 October and transferred to Fort McHenry on the 16th. He was sent on to Fortress Monroe, VA on 18 October for exchange. He was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #4 in Richmond, VA on 24 October and sent home on furlough for 40 days on 6 November 1862.

He was appointed brevet 2nd (or 3rd) Lieutenant of Company E on 26 June (to date from 22 May) 1863. He was mortally wounded by a gunshot to his head at Winchester, VA on 20 July 1864 and captured. His skull was fractured at the front, side, and rear, and the bullet lodged in his head. He was admitted to the US Army General Hospital at Clarysville near Cumberland, MD on 23 July and the bullet was removed, but he died there on 30 July 1864.

His service from his Compiled Service Records,1 online from fold3, and the Confederate Officer's Card Index. His commendation in Maryland is from D H Hill's after-action report; General Hill also noted "Sergeant Fullenwider has been six times wounded during the war, but still lives to perform more heroic deeds." Sharpsburg wound and hospital details from the Patient List,2 as H.W. Falemvider. The Captain Johnston quote from his letter of 3 January 1863 to Colonel Christie recommending Fullenwider for a commission "for gallantry on the field of battle." That letter is at the National Archives among Letters Received by the Confederate Adjutant and Inspector General's Office. His Winchester wound and Cumberland hospital details from the MSHWR.3 Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

c. 1837; Mecklenburg County, NC

07/30/1864; Clarysville, MD; burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Cumberland, MD