TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example 16^{th}. Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. [Illustration: _Yours Truly Jno. W. Hinsdale._ (author’s signature)] HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS, IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES, 1861-’65, BY COL. JOHN W. HINSDALE OF RALEIGH, N. C. NASH BROTHERS, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, GOLDSBORO, N. C. SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. (THIRD JUNIOR RESERVES.) It affords the writer pleasure to respond to the invitation of Judge Walter Clark, himself a distinguished officer of the boy-soldiers, to make a lasting memorial of the courage and heroism of the brave and patriotic lads who composed the Third Regiment of Junior Reserves, known since the war as the Seventy-second Regiment of North Carolina Troops. It is to be regretted that the task has not been performed at an earlier day, before the stirring scenes in which these youths took so conspicuous a part have faded into the dim outline of a shadowy dream. Some inaccuracies must now necessarily creep into this sketch. The writer was Assistant Adjutant-General of Lieutenant-General Theophilus H. Holmes, who commanded the Reserves of North Carolina, and he has in his possession many valuable records pertaining to that office, access to which has been of great assistance in the preparation of this regimental history. It is deemed not inappropriate here to narrate some things of a general nature concerning the Reserves.