Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-02-09
COUNTY'S OLDEST
CITIZEN PASSES
Long Career of Mr.. Albert Wilson
Came to Close Sunday Evening
When He Answered Final Call;
Was Confederate Soldier

Mr.. Albert Wilson, aged 1O2, the
Oldest Confederate veteran of whom
we have record in North Carolina,
and one of her very oldest citizens,
regardless of military service, died
Sunday evening at his home three
miles east of Boone, following an
illness of several weeks duration.
Although blind, deaf and palsid, his
mind remained active after his more
than century of life. Should he
have lived, Mr.. Wilson would have
observed his 1O3rd birthday ami
versary early in April.
Deceased had seen the major part
of the history of America as an in
dependent nation and had witnessed
it's industrial growth from the time
the first locomotive was put in oper
alton on the old Baltimore and Ohio
Railway, he being little more than
five years old at that time.
At birthday dinner given in hon
or of Mr.. Wilson last year, many
stories were told of the exploits OF
Company E, 37th North Carolina in
fantry, in which organization Mr..
Wilson ranked as first sergeant.
Tales were told of the regiments
baptism of fire at New Bern, of how
it Joined jackson in the Shenandoah
and participated in its first major
engagement at Hanover courthouse,
where it drove the enemy from the
field and forced him to seek protec-
ton in the woods under the protec-
ton of his own batteries. Then fol-
lowed closely Mechanicsville, Gaines
Mill and Fraziers farm, where
Commander Cahrles C. Lee was kill
ed in action. With Lieutenant Col.
Barber as their new commander,
they went to Malvern Hill where
they forced Mcclellan back to Har-
rfson's landing mad checked Pope at
Cedar Run.
The feasting of Mr.. Wilson's regi-
ment On captured Federal rations
after having existed for week on
! green corn, was another interesting
story The 37th was one unit of
Jackson's "foot cavalry in the
flank movement to Pope's rear.
Throughout the strenuous march the
only food they had was the corn they
plucked from the fields they passed.
At Manassas Junction they charg-
ed Taylor's New Jersey brigade,
forced it across Bull Run and ami
hilated it. Here they were able to
supply themselves with great store
of excellent rations.
Jackson led his gallants in so
many victories that he was idoliZed
by all his troops. Hence it was not
strange that Albert Wilson's voice
would break and he was moved to
tears when speaking of the Wilder
ness. AS Jackson led the southern
army on the famous flank movement
around Hooker's army in broad day
light, the men felt again the thrill
of certain victory and scarcely mind
ed the barrage from 43 pieces of
artillery concentrated on the 37th.
The battle continued until after
night. Jackson ordered a certain
road kept clear and that no one
should be allowed to pass. Shortly
afterwards. he returned along the
same road and was shot to death
by his own pickets. Albert Wilson,
lying wounded short distance
away, heard the shot that killed his
general.
Then followed the heart-breaking
campaign at Gettysburg, the terrible
days before Petersburgh and finally
the surrender of Lee, discharge.
home to Carolina mountains to deal
with the bushwhackers, during which
period Stoneman and his men came
to Boone to pillage and murder. Mr..
Wilson, in Boone at the time was
captured by Stoneman's men, but in
some way his discharge certificate
brought about his release.
Funeral services were conducted
from the Three Forks Baptist church
Monday afternoon. The burial was
in charge of the local Masonic lodge,
Mr.. Wilson having been a member
of that fraternity longer than any
other man living in Watauga county.