North Carolina Patriots of ’61: David, Tobias and , Christian A. Bumgarner Alexander County

Christian (or Christus) Augustus Bumgarner was born in Alexander County in 1846, son of Simon and Eliza Bumgarner of Sugar Loaf Township. After North Carolina’s secession in May 1861, Christian’s older brothers David L. and Tobias, both farmers, enlisted in “the Alexander Men” which became Company G, 37th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. The 37th Regiment was engaged at first New Bern and then in Virginia from Hanover Court House through Cold Harbor to Appomattox. Brother David was killed at Gaines Mill in July 1862; brother Tobias died of typhoid fever a month later.

Christian enlisted at the age of 17 in October 1863, joining Company A of the 56th North Carolina Infantry, NCT. This unit was mustered at Camp Mangum near Raleigh in July 1862 under Colonel Paul F. Faison, with further calls for recruits in Rutherford, Mecklenburg, Alexander, Camden, Cumberland, and other counties.

Christian’s company was detailed to North Carolina guard and reconnaissance duty – protecting railroads and monitoring Northern raids emanating from New Bern. The 56th Infantry also saw battle duty as part of General Matt Ransom’s brigade which fought at Gum Swamp, Plymouth, Drewry’s Bluff, Ware Bottom Church, Sayler’s Creek, Petersburg, and the retreat to Appomattox. At the latter the unit mustered only nine officers and sixty-two enlisted men in the ranks.

C.A. married Julia Catherine Daniels in 1867, settling into home in Sugar Loaf. He died at age 84 and is buried in the old churchyard of Salem Lutheran Church. His descendants are still to be found in the Taylorsville region of Alexander County.

(C.A. Bumgarner, John F. Crossen, Confederate Veteran, Sept/Oct 2003, pp. 16-17)

From Free North Carolina