In October of 1859, word of John Brown's infamous raid on the arsenal at Harper's Ferry reached into even the most isolated regions of the South. Deemed by the fairly Unionist majority of North Carolinians as a blatant act of northern hostility, the event sparked rancor throughout the State, further kindling the smoldering debate over secession. In December 1859, as a direct result of the Harper's Ferry incident, the Council of State urged Governor John W. Ellis to authorize the organization of state militia and volunteer companies, and it was under this auspice that, on December 20th, "The Buncombe Riflemen of the Town of Asheville" was formed. |
| At the forefront of the unit's organization was William
Wallace McDowell, grandson of Col. Joseph McDowell, a Revolutionary War patriot. Described
as "a tall, well-built, bearded man of quiet courtly manner", William McDowell
was renowned for his reputation for fairness, integrity, loyalty and courage. The Riflemen
elected him Captain and he was commissioned by Governor Ellis. The uniforms of the Buncombe Riflemen were something to behold,
consisting of the best quality North Carolina "steel mixed cassimere". The coats
were trimmed in green velvet, with a row of gilt buttons on the breast, three buttons on
the wristbands and six on the skirts. The gray pants bore a green worsted stripe down each
leg. The captain's uniform was identical, except it was additionally trimmed in gold lace. The company colors were a blue flag with a white diamond in the center. On it in red were the arms of the State and under them a scroll with the word "ready" The flag was the same size as that of the U.S. regimental colors. The Riflemen drilled once a month, oftener "when necessary". |
| The coming of April of 1861 saw the release of winter's
grip over the North Carolina mountains, and into this otherwise placid scene burst the
news of the battle at Fort Sumter on the 12th. Governor Ellis wasted little
time in preparing the state for war. In response to the U.S. Secretary of War's request
for two regiments, he replied: "You can get no troops from North Carolina", and
Captain McDowell received his order to proceed to Raleigh on April 16th. On Monday, April 18th, the Buncombe Riflemen, in preparation for their march to the end of the railraod in Morganton, lined up on a street in the square where the Courthouse stood. Much of the town turned out for their farewell, and Misses Anna and Lillie Woodfin presented to the company a flag of red, white and blue silk made from their own dresses. After the war, The word "BETHEL" was embroidered onto the flag by Anna Woodfin, who made the presentation speech. This flag was taken to Raleigh, and when the Riflemen became the color company of the regiment it became the regimental flag of the first fight of the war. |
Original Members'
Markers Found
March 2002