Updated November 25, 2022
Overview
Sgt. Carter Montague Gilliam was born about 1826 in Cumberland County, VA. He was the son of Charles Manning Gilliam, Jr. and Eliza A. Carter. (Eliza A. Carter, should not be confused with Elizabeth ”Betsy” M. Carter, her sister who married John A. Hudgins.)
According to a 1852 Chancery Suit, Carter Gilliam vs. the Executors of Elizabeth Carter, etc., Charles M. Gilliam, Jr., died in 1827 or 1828, “leaving one child, Carter Gilliam.” Carter was raised by relatives.
In 1850 Carter was living with his uncle, Everard M. Carter. Also is the household is Elizabeth Dunkum/Duncan. It is possible that this is his mother Eliza A. Carter. It has been suggested that this Elizabeth Dunkum may also be an Elizabeth S. Bradley who married William L. Dunkum on 18 Nov 1833. However, it appears that Elizabeth Bradley Dunkum is, in fact, the daughter of Clement Bradley, see Cumberland Will Book, 6, page. 215-218.
Elizabeth Woodson Gilliam Putney Shores, Carter’s grandmother, died in 1850 mentioning in her Will Charles M. Gilliam. On 27 Jan 1851, Carter requests John Trent, Sheriff, to take into his possession the estate of Charles M. Gilliam, deceased. In 1852, Carter sues the Executors of Elizabeth Carter, his grandmother, chiefly concerning several negroes. Also in 1852, John A. Hudgins, Elizabeth M. Carter, William L. Toler, Sarah A. Toler, Carter M. Gilliam, and Joseph Palmore, legatees of Jesse Carter sold “Rose Cottage” to Everard Carter, son of Jesse Carter. The Virginia Historical Inventory contains a Report on “Rose Cottage.”
In 1860 Carter is living with aunt and uncle, “Betsy” and John A. Hudgins. On 23 Apr 1861, Carter enlists as a Private in Company E of the 18th Infantry Regiment. Carter, according to the diary of Sgt. H. E. Wood, died on the Gettysburg battlefield with the Company’s Roll Book. Carter’s burial place is not recorded.
Name: Carter Gilliam
Occupation: Carpenter
Enlistment Date: 23 Apr 1861
Enlistment Place: Cumberland County, Virginia
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Virginia
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 23 April 1861 at the age of 32.
Enlisted in Company E, 18th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 23 Apr 1861.
Promoted to Full Corporal on 1 Nov 1861.
Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 3 Apr 1863.
Killed Company E, 18th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Carter Gilliam engaged in the following conflicts:
Fought on 21 Jul 1861 at Manassas, VA.
Fought on 10 Sep 1861 at Munson's Hill, VA.
Fought on 15 Oct 1861 at Warrenton, VA.
Fought on 11 Nov 1861.
Fought on 20 Apr 1862.
Fought on 5 May 1862 at Williamsburg, VA.
Fought on 8 May 1862 at Williamsburg, VA.
Fought on 1 Jun 1862 at Seven Pines, VA.
Fought on 7 Jun 1862.
Fought on 27 Jun 1862 at Gaines' Mill, VA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1862 at Frazier's Farm, VA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1862 at Frayser's Farm, VA.
Absent sick with rheumatism: July-Oct. 1862
Fought on 8 Nov 1862.
Fought on 20 Nov 1862 at Shepherdstown, VA.
Fought on 4 May 1863 at Suffolk, VA.
Fought on 14 May 1863.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Greencastle, PA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
From the Diary of H. E. Wood, Ex-Color Sergeant, Eighteenth Regiment
The Roll Book of “Black Eagle Rifles”
Carter Gilliam, our orderly sergeant, was killed at Gettysburg and his body left upon the field. He had the roll book of our company with him, and as such it was lost.
Brock, R. A. Southern Historical Society Papers Volume 37
Sources
- Brock, R. A. Southern Historical Society Papers Volume 37
- Historical Data Systems, comp. American Civil War Regiments [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA