The Military Service of Pvt. Johnathon Hill Basden- (Nov 21, 1839 – Jul 23, 1919)
Transcribed by Chris Swinson
Unit: Capt. Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas), North Carolina Volunteers
This company was mustered into the service of the State of North Carolina as “Guerillas” for local service, to operate east of the Wilmington and Weldon Rail Road, between the Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers. This company subsequently became Company K, 61st Regiment North Carolina Infantry (State Troops).
On a Company Muster-in and Descriptive Roll, dated July 22, 1862, in Jones County:
Pvt. John H. Basden was enrolled for active service: Apr 29, 1862 in Onslow Co., N.C. by F.D. Koonce.
Description – Born: Onslow County; Age: 22 years; Occupation: Farmer; Height: 5 feet, 5 inches.
Oath of allegiance to State of North Carolina: Signed with his “X” mark.
Mustered into Service: July 22, 1862 in Jones Co., N. C. by Capt E. W. Ward for a period of 3 years.
Service History
(* indicates information from Company Muster Rolls)
The 61st Regiment North Carolina Infantry (State Troops) was organized about September 1862, with ten companies, A to K, which had previously served as independent companies. Some of the rolls show 59th North Carolina Infantry (State Troops), which was probably due to a misunderstanding of the line number the regiment was to receive.
Pvt. John H. Basden appears on a Roll of Honor, not dated, for Company K, 61st North Carolina State Troops; County: Onslow; Date of entrance into service: Apr 27, 1862; Age: 22; Vol. or conscript: Vol.
— Note: Roll compiled in the Office of the Adjutant General of the State of North Carolina in accordance with resolutions ratified by the General Assembly of that State on December 20, 1862.
* Nov/Dec 1862 (First Muster Roll available) – Present, last paid by Capt. Brown to Oct 31, 186_.
* Jan/Feb 1863 – Present, last paid by Jno. B. Daniels to Oct 31, 1862. Identifies enlistment location as Richlands, N.C.
* Mar/Apr 1863 – Present, last paid by Maj. Erwin to Dec 31, 186_.
* May/June 1863 – Absent, On detached service at Little Bridge from May 20; last paid by Capt. Anderson to Apr 30, 1863.
* July/Aug 1863 – Present, last paid by Capt. Anderson to Apr 30, 1863; Bounty due.
* Sept/Oct 1863 – Absent, on sick leave since Oct 13, 1863; last paid by Capt. Crenshaw to Aug 31, 1863. Bounty: Paid, $______; due, $ 50.
* Nov/Dec 1863 – Present, last paid by Capt Crenshaw to Aug 31, 1863; Bounty due.
* Dec 31, 1863 to Apr 30, 1864 – Present, last paid by Capt. Mears to Dec 31, 1863.
Pvt. John H. Basden appears on a Receipt Roll for Clothing, 1st Qtr, 1864. Date of issuance: Jan 23, 1864. Signature: By “X”.
Muster Rolls for May through Aug 1864 not included or unavailable.
Pvt. J. H. Basden appears on a Receipt Roll for Clothing, 2nd Qtr, 1864. Date of issuance: May 25, 1864. Signature: By “X”.
Pvt. J. H. Basden appears on a Receipt Roll for Clothing, 3rd Qtr, 1864. Date of issuance: July 29, 1864. Signature: By “X”.
* Sept/Oct 1864 – Absent, Prisoner of War, captured at Fort Harrison, Sept 30, 1864; last paid by Capt. Mears to Apr 30, 1864.
Pvt. J. H. Basden appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War, not dated. Where captured: Fort Harrison, When captured: Sept 30, 1864.
— Source: Roll No. 11, sheet 3.
* Nov/Dec 1864 – Absent; Prisoner of War, captured at Fort Harrison, Sept 30, 1864; last paid by Capt. Mears to Apr 30, 1864.
Pvt. J. H. Basden appears on a Register of prisoners confined at Bermuda Hundred, Va.
— Where captured: Near Fort Harrison, When captured: Sept 30, 1864.
— When confined: Oct 1, 1864.
— Turned over to: Pro Mar General (Provost Marshal General), When: Oct 1, 1864.
— Remarks: Prisoner of War
— Source: Bermuda Hundred, Va., Register No. 191, page 105.
Pvt. J. H. Basden appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, Md.
— Date of Arrival: City Point, Va.; Oct 5, 1864.
— Where captured: Fort Harrison, When captured: Sept 30, 1864.
— Remarks: Exchanged March 17, 1865.
— Source: Point Lookout, Md., Register No. 2, page 30.
Pvt. J. H. Basden (signs by “x” mark) signature appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War, not dated, paroled at Point Lookout, Md., and transferred to Aiken’s Landing, Va., March 17, 1865, for exchange.
— Where captured: Fort Harrison, When captured: Sept 30, 1864.
— (Roll indorsed: “Received at Boulware’s Wharf, March 19th, 1865, on the within rolls Eight hundred and Seventeen (817) paroled Confederate prisoners of war, including nine (9) officers. – W. H. Hatch. Asst. Agent of Exch.”
— Source: Roll No. 96, sheet 2.
** The above information was extracted from records received from the National Archives Trust Fund, Washington, D.C., on 3 June 1999.