| Robert
Benton Deans was born on October 1, 1844, in Wilson, North Carolina.
During the War Between the States, he served in Company H, 59th
Regiment of North Carolina Troops, which became the 4th North Carolina
Cavalry, first as a private and later as a sergeant.
The 4th North Carolina Cavalry was formed in August 1862 at Garysburg,
North Carolina, near Roanoke Rapids. Its companies hailed from the
counties of Anson, New Hanover, Caswell, Hertford, Cabarrus, Bertie,
Currituck, Wilson, Cleveland, and Northampton. The regiment’s
first service, under Colonel Dennis D. Ferebee, was in eastern North
Carolina, but by 1863 it had become part of the cavalry corps of
Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment fought at Culpeper
Court House, Brandy Station, Upperville, Aldie, Fairfield, Hagerstown,
Jack’s Shops, Wilson’s Farm, White Oak Road, and Five
Forks. It was also present at Gettysburg. It surrendered with Lee’s
army at Appomattox Court House with only 40 officers and men left
in its ranks.
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After the War, Sergeant
Deans married Huldah Etheridge on December 24, 1868. They had four
children. He died on March 20, 1927, at age 82 and is buried next
to his wife in Maplewood Cemetery, Wilson, North Carolina.
The memory of Sergeant Robert Benton Deans of Company H, 4th North Carolina
Cavalry, is perpetuated in this unit by his descendant, Compatriot
Charles L. Barnes.
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