Campaign of 1862--organization.
After the
battle of Newberne,
North Carolina, the
Confederate troops at that place fell back to
Kinston, fresh
North Carolina troops were ordered to the same place, and soon afterwards the whole force was divided into two brigades.
The first was placed under the command of
General Robert Ransom, and the second, composed of the Seventh, Eighteenth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-third and Thirty-seventh North Carolina regiments, was commanded by
General L. O'B. Branch.
This brigade was known as the Second North Carolina brigade from the time of its organization until it was assigned to
General A. P. Hill's command.
It was then designated as the “Fourth brigade of the light division” until orders were issued directing that all brigades, divisions and corps should be called by the names of their respective commanders.
In obedience to these orders, this gallant body of
North Carolina troops was then called “
Branch's brigade” until the
battle of Sharpsburg, where the heroic
Branch was killed.
I was soon afterwards promoted to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
General Branch, and from that time to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse this command was known in the Army of Northern Virginia as “
Lane's brigade.”
