North Carolina Patriots of '61 -- Caldwell County’s Captain William Deal, III and Six Sons

Caldwell County’s Captain William Deal, III -- and Six Sons:

(A Father and Six Sons Who Served, Robert C. Deal, Confederate Veteran, Vol. III, 2002)

Born 14 August 1798 in Lincoln County, William Deal, III was the descendant of German settlers from Pennsylvania’s Palatinate Immigrants who bought cheap and abundant land in western North Carolina.

Deal married Catherine Smyre in 1824 and their union produced twelve children – six sons and six daughters.

The Deal Plantation was located on Clark’s Little River in Cedar Valley, Caldwell County, where William operated a country store, grist mill, woodworking, harness, saddle and blacksmith shop.

In 1836 a United States Post Office was located in his store and the plantation became known as Deal's Mill, North Carolina.

First son (in order above) William Franklin Deal enlisted in 1862, working for the Supply Depot in Salisbury.

Sidney Deal joined the Watauga Rangers in 1862 -- Company D, 1st North Carolina Cavalry. Pinckney, Marcus and Rufus Deal all enlisted in the Caldwell Rough and Ready Boys which became Company A, 22nd North Carolina.

Youngest son Avery Jerome Deal enlisted in Company A, 22nd North Carolina in 1863 at the age of 19.

Rufus served with the 22nd North Carolina until January 1864, he was then then appointed lieutenant of

Company I, 26th North Carolina (Caldwell Guards). He was killed in action at Cold Harbor. Father William journeyed by wagon to tidal Virginia to retrieve his son's body for burial at home.

While his sons were away at the front, father William enlisted in the Caldwell County Home Guard in 1861 at age 61, and promoted to captain in 1863. Daughter Harriet scalded a marauding Northern soldier with hot water in early 1865 as he made off with her setting hen from the chicken house.

(A Father and Six Sons Who Served, Robert C. Deal, Confederate Veteran, Vol. III, 2002)

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