The companies which would eventually compose the 26th North Carolina State Troops were recruited shortly after the spring planting for 1861 was done. The men came from the mountains and western piedmont of the Old North State. These men were not recruited for any specific regiment, but rather as independent companies, who were brought to Raleigh to train and prepare for war. While the men were at North Carolina's Camp of Instruction at Camp Crabtree, (later renamed Camp Carolina) three miles from Raleigh, the Confederates fought the Battle of First Manassas on July 21, 1861 and their was concern the war would end in Confederate independence before they could see the elephant. Their fears and hopes were unfounded.

It was at Camp Crabtree that the men first met North Carolina's boy wonder, Henry King Burgwyn, Jr., called Harry. The 18-year old Harry already held the rank of Major in the Confederate Army. Burgwyn was familiar with the basic principles of military operations due to eduction at the United States Military Academy and the Virginia Military Institute. Burgwyn was very adept at the manual of arms and incurred the anger of many members of the regiment by his heavy handed discipline during the time spent at the Camp of Instruction. John Randolph Lane related his first impressions of Burgwyn:

We [Company G] took the train at Company Shops (now Burlington) for Raleigh; arriving at this place, the company marched out to Camp Crab Tree, a Camp of Instruction, and were assigned our position in camp a little after dark. On the next morning when we awoke, we saw the sentiels at their posts and realized that we were indeed in the war. Immediately after roll call--but there was no roll call in our company--Major H. K. Burgwyn, commander of the Camp of Instruction, sent down to Captain W. S. McLean, demanding the reason for failure to report his company.

Before the excitement occasioned by his messsage had subsided among the commissioned officers, an order came for a corporal and ttwo men to report at once at headquar- ters. Captain McLean selected Corporal ane, his lowest subaltern officer, and two of the most soldierly-looking men, S. S. Carter and W. C. Cater, to report to Major Burgwyn.-

Accordingly, these three worthies appeared before the commandant, wondering whether they were going to be promoted, hanged or shot. This was our first sight of the commanding officer, who appeared though young, to be a youth of authority, beautiful and handsome; the flash of his eye and the quickness of his movements betokened his bravery. At first sight I both feared and admired him. He gave us the following order: "Corporal, take these men and thoroughly police this Camp; don't leave a watermelon rind or anything filthy in Camp."
This cheering order completely knocked the starch our of our shirts and helped greatly to settle uss down to a soldier's life. The cleanliness of the camp was reported by the officer of the day as being perfect. You may be sure our officers reported the company properly after that.
The ten companies, listed below were formally organized into the 26th North Carolina State Troops on Auugust 27, 1861 at Raleigh, North Carolina. Since no individual had led the organization of the regiment, the men were allowed to choose their colonel. The election came off and Captain Zebulon Baird Vance of Company F, "the Rough and Ready Guards" of 14th North Carolina State Troops was selected. Vance had been a prewar Whig Congressman from Asheville, and was one of the most popular antebellum politicians in the state. Major Burgwyn was chosen lieutenant colonel of the newly formed regiment and Wilkes Volunteers Captain Abner B. Carmichael was elected major. Colonel Vance appointed the remainder of the staff

Sorce:26th North Carolina State Troops, Confederate States Army, by Jeffrey C. Weaver

* 1st action New Bern March 1862.

* Malvern Hill, the 26th charged to within 25 yards of the Federal position, further encouraging McClellan's departure.

* The taking and holding of the Herbst Woods on McPhearson's Ridge against the "Iron Brigade," is partly responsible for the federal retreat
  through the town of Gettysburg, July 1st 1863. Tremendously high causality rate, 588 of 800, as well as having 14 color bearers shot down
  that day.

* First and the farthest penetration of federal lines by any confederate regiment, Gettysburg July 3rd 1863. (Pettigrew's Charge)

* 26th holds the tragic distinction of suffering the highest casualties of any unit, Confederate or Union at Gettysburg.

* Involved in the Wilderness Campaign.

* The regiments participated in the defense of Petersburg for 18 months.

* Approximately 2,000 men served in the 26th North Carolina State Troops during the course of the war. Only 131 were surrendered with
  General Robert E. Lee on April 9, 1865