24th Infantry

Captain Barney Lane

Company E (the “Lone Star Boys”), 24th Regiment N.C. Troops (14th Regiment N.C. Volunteers)

Barney Lane, a carpenter by trade, lived in the “District East of Neuse River” in Johnston County. (His first name also appears as “Barna” and “Barnaba.”) On May 31, 1861, he was appointed captain of the “Lone Star Boys,” a company recruited in the Smithfield area and later designated Company E, 24th Regiment N.C. Troops (14th Regiment N.C. Volunteers).

Lane served until spring 1863 when he was reported absent sick in Johnston County through the end of June. The July-August muster roll of Company E reports him on “detached service in Johnston County arresting deserters,” but the one for September-October states that Lane himself was under arrest at Weldon. No cause for his arrest was specified, and the November-December muster roll has him absent with leave in Johnston County.

Lane rejoined his company in 1864 and was wounded in action, probably in the fighting at Drewry’s Bluff, May 12-16, and was sent home on furlough. He returned to duty by August, when he was ordered to Raleigh to collect conscripts assigned to the 24th North Carolina. Lane resigned September 4, 1864. His letter of resignation does not specify a reason, but an endorsement by a senior officer states that during the past year Lane “has done but little service in consequence of disease.”

Lane (1823-August 1886) is buried in the Lane Cemetery, Princeton, Johnson County.

Image: Copy print in author’s possession.

Source Note:
1860 U. S. Census, District East of Neuse River, Johnston County, North Carolina, population schedule, page 53, dwelling 411, family 398, Thomas Tisdale household; Manarin et. al., North Carolina Troops 7:292; service record files of Barney Lane, 24th Regiment N.C. Troops, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers from the State of North Carolina (M270), RG109, NA.