I received an e-mail at the end of March from a visitor to our web page in which he mentioned having found two graves of members of the original Buncombe Riflemen. I passed the information on to Dean Baehman, who quickly got in touch with the proprietor of the cemetery.

In the late afternoon of Wednesday, March 27th, 2002, Dean and Dave Jackson paid a visit to the final resting place of two of our camrades in arms and in history: George W. Worley and Noah West.

Out of respect for the wishes of its proprietor, incidentally a relative of Noah West, I'll not publish the cemetery's exact location.

The grave marker of Noah West, originally 4th Sergeant of the Buncombe Riflemen. In 1861 at the age of 29, he marched out of Asheville with the original unit, and stood at the battle of Bethel. He became fatally ill and returned to Asheville, where he passed away in October of that same year.

The inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of Noah West Born October 1, 1831 Died October 2, 1861 of a disease contracted in the service of his country A Member of the Buncom (sic) Riflemen and one of the Heroes of the victory achieved by southern arms at the Battle of Bethel Church, VA. June 10, 1861 as well as a meek and faithful follower of the blessed savior, his memory is embalmed in the hearts of his countrymen and his soul rests in the bosom of his God.