Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - William Boggan

4^th INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS
Organized: 6/6/1861 Greensboro, NC
Mustered In: Inf. Not Avail.
Designation Changed: 11/14/1861
 

14^th NORTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Designation Assigned: 11/14/1861
Surrendered/Mustered Out: 4/9/1865 Appomattox Court House, VA

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:  (4^th / 14^th)

This unit was initially organized as the 4^th North Carolina Infantry Volunteers, a twelve month, “state”, regiment. It was re-designated the 14^th on 11/14/1861 when North Carolina consolidated their state and volunteer troops.

On 4/27/1862 the regiment was, again, reorganized then it was placed under the auspices of the Confederate States of America (CSA) to serve for three years or the duration of The War. Its period of service was within the eastern theater of the American Civil War (ACW).

As originally fielded, men in the unit’s ten companies were principally recruited as follows: “A” (The Roanoke Minute Men) Warren and Halifax counties; “B” (Thomasville Rifles) Davidson County ; “C” (Anson Guard) Anson County *; “D” (Cleveland Blues) Cleveland County; “E” (Oak City Guard) Wake County; “F” (Rough and Ready Guards) Buncombe County; “G” (Reid Guard) Rockingham County; “H” (Stanley Marksmen) Stanley County; “I” (Lexington Wild Cats) Davidson County and “K” Wake County.

Virginia actions of 1862 included: April siege of Yorktown, Lee’s Mill (4/5), Williamsburg (5/5), Seven Pines (5/31 – 6/1), Gaines’ Mill (6/27) and Malvern Hill (7/1).  Moving to Maryland, the 14^th fought at South Mountain /Crampton’s Gap (9/14) and Sharpsburg/Antietam (9/17). The combat year was concluded at Fredericksburg. VA (12/13).

1863 found the 14^th at Chancellorsville, VA (5/1 – 4) and Martinsburg, VA (6/4). The regiment then moved to Gettysburg, PA (7/1 – 3). At the latter place it suffered twenty percent (20%) casualties including three hundred (300) men on the field.

Returning to Virginia, the unit saw action at Warrenton Springs (10/12) and (blank) Court House (10/14), the Bristoe Campaign (Oct. – Nov.), Kelly’s Ford (11/7) and during the Mine Run movements (Nov. – Dec.).

1864. Virginia clashes with the enemy during the final, full year of The War encompassed the Wilderness (5/5 – 6), Spotsylvania Court House (5/8 – 21), north Anna (5/22 – 26) and Cold Harbor (6/1 – 3). All these actions were during Union Gen. U.S. Grant’s Overland Campaign.

June, ’64 actions in the Shenandoah Valley preceded Confed. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s movements northward toward Washington City. During this period the 14^th was ^active at Monocacy. MD (7/9) before returning to the Shenandoah  Valley where it saw combat at Third Winchester (9/19), Fisher’s Hill (9/22) and Cedar Creek (10/19).

Final conflicts during the opening months of 1865 included Saylor’s / Sailor’s Creek (4/6) and Appomattox Court House (4/9) in Virginia.  At the latter place the 14^th was surrendered with Confed. Gen. R.E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Although total loss numbers are not available, on 45/9/1865 the regiment surrendered only seven (7) officers and one hundred seven (107) men.

SOLDIER: (4^th / 14th)
Residence: Wadesboro Anson County, NC   Age: 18. Yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 4/22/1861Wadesboro Anson County, NC   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 4/30/1861 Wadesboro Anson County, NC
Transferred: 11/14/1861
Discharged for Disability: 5/2/1862
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
 

William H. Boggan was born 6/15/1843. His place of birth was within Anson County, NC. Although not specifically documented, it is surmised his Anson community of birth was likely Wadesboro as that is where the U.S. Census found the Boggans in 1850 and 1860. 

Parents of William were Norfleet Drew Boggan (b. 11/29/1805 Anson County, NC) and Jane Gould (nee Hammond (b. 7/9/1813 NC) Boggan. Although Norfleet was a farmer, he also served as a clerk in the Anson County court system.

Norfleet and Jane produced six children. Of the six, William was the fourth born. Older than he were: Rosa E. Boggan (b. 6/8/1835 Anson County, NC), Harriet E. Boggan (b. 5/20/1837) and Walter Jones Boggan (b. 3/13/1841**). Younger than he were James Norfleet Boggan (b. 6/4/1845***) and Lydia Jane Boggan (b. 12/12/1847 Anson County, NC).

Norfleet Boggan died on 11/8/1854. His widow, Jane, passed on 3/6/1858. Both deaths occurred in Anson County, NC. Care for the Boggan children then fell to second oldest daughter, Harriet Eleanor Boggan who, by that time, was, herself, widowed.

It appears William remained with his siblings on the family farm until 4/22/1861 when he and older brother Walter both enlisted in the 4^th / 14^th North Carolina Infantry. As an under aged “ minor” without a father at the time, it was likely, with Walter’s permission and tutelage, that William was able to enlist.

Although Walter would go on to serve with another North Carolina infantry regiment, William remained with the 4/14^th until granted a disability discharge on 5/2/1862. Available military documents note the discharge but do not denote the cause. 

With military life behind him, where William initially settled is not known. By 1870, however, he was in Richland Washington County Arkansas with Brother Walter and family. At that time, the unmarried William listed his occupation as “school teacher.”

1880. Another decade. Another census. That population tally displayed a major residential change, not only for William, but his brothers Walter and James. All were then farming in Columbia County, Washington Territory (WT).

What had drawn the brothers across the continent to the far southwest corner of WT is not known. Another unknown is when the trio arrived in the Pacific Northwest.

By 1885 William’s farming address had changed from Columbia County, WT to Asotin County, WT. He – as well as his two brothers - would live out his life in that county. More specifically, he/they lived out their lives in the Asotin County community of Anatone.

William H. Boggan died on 2/25/1911.in Anatone Asotin County, WA. Cause of the 67.8 year old’s passing is not known. He had never married or produced children, so he left behind no local family except his brothers and their kin.

Former Confederate soldier, Private William H. Boggan, was/is buried in the Anatone Cemetery. That burial ground is located in Asotin County, WA

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* This organization was originally known as Captain Charles E. Smith’s Company (Anson Guards).

**During the ACW Walter served in the 4^th/14 North Carolina Infantry and the 43^rd North Carolina Infantry. He survived The War and is buried in the Anatone Cemetery located in Asotin County, WA.

***During the ACW James served in the 2^nd North Carolina Artillery and the 3^rd North Carolina Artillery. He survived The War and is buried in the Anatone Cemetery located in Asotin County, WA. 

Posted: 5/4/23
Updated: 

Buried at Anatone Cemetery