According to Elsie Lee Drake Goepfert in The Heritage of Henderson County, Volume 1, “John Bryson Drake, second son of Thomas and Elizabeth Drake, served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He married 22 July 1866, Catherine Brigman daughter of Solomon Brigman and Lucinda Hensley, at her parent’s home, Flat Creek, Madison County, North Carolina. John worked for Solomon Brigman in his General Merchandise store and operated the grist mill. He also ran wagons for deliveries in Western North Carolina and upper South Carolina. John and Catherine moved to Henderson County to a farm on the west side of Drake Mountain, out Willow Road.”
Military Service – Excerpts from Civil War National Archives C.S.A. (Confederate) and United States (Union) Military Records for John Bryson Drake. He served first in the C.S.A. Company D. (65 State Troops) 6th North Carolina Cavalry. He then enrolled and served in the United States Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry.
John Bryson 1st served as a C.S.A. (Confederate States of America) soldier in Company D. of the 6th North Carolina Cavalry (65 State Troops). His available military records include only 1 located document.
Company Muster Roll dated November 1, 1862 to February 28, 1863 enlisted on July 15, 1862 in Hendersonville, N.C. by Capt. C. W. Gillespie for a period of 3 years or the war. This Muster Roll shows that he was paid 40cts. Per day for use of horse, arms, etc. $48.00 and shows that he was Present. Remarks state that Pay due for use & risk of horse for 120 days.
Note that the Muster Roll contains the following description *This company was formerly Company D, 7th Battalion North Carolina Cavalry. The 6th Regiment North Carolina Cavalry (65th State Troops) was formed early in 1863 by consolidation of the 5th and 7th Battalions, North Carolina Cavalry. For a time after the consolidation the companies continued to be known by the same letters they bore in the battalions; but were finally changed as follows: Companies A to D, 5th Battalion, became Companies I, K, H and B, respectively, of the regiment; and Companies A to F, 7th Battalion, became Companies E, F (New) G, C, D, and A, respectively, of the regiment.
John Bryson Drake 2nd served as a Union (United States) soldier in Company C., F. of the 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry. His available military records include the following documents.
Company Muster-in Roll dated October 6, 1863 at Knoxville, Tennessee shows that John B. Drake joined for duty and enrolled on September 26, 1863 in Greenville, Tennessee as a Private in Company C., 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry as age 20 years for period of 3 years.
Company Descriptive Book shows that John B. Drake enlisted October 1st, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee by Lt. Col. Smith for a term of 3 years in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry. It shows that he was born in Henderson, North Carolina and was 20 years, his occupation was a farmer, his eyes were blue, hair was light, complexion light and his height was 5 feet 8 inches.
Company Muster Rolls:
Company Muster Roll for Enlistment to December 31, 1863 shows he was Present and joined for duty and enrolled on September 26, 1863 in Greenville, Tennessee for a period of 3 years. He was a Private, Company C, 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry.
Company Muster Roll for January and February, 1864 shows he was Present and joined for duty and enrolled on October 1, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee for a period of 3 years. He mustered in on October 6, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee and was a 3rd Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry.
Company Muster Roll for March & April, 1864 shows he was Present and a 3rd Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry.
Company Muster Roll for May and June, 1864 shows John B. Drake was Present and a 2nd Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry. Remarks show Bounty rec’d $25.
Company Muster Roll for July and August, 1864 shows John B. Drake was Present and a 1st Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry.
Company Muster Roll for September and October, 1864 shows John B. Drake was Present and a 1st Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry.
Company Muster Roll for November and December, 1864 shows John B. Drake was Present and a 1st Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry.
Returns card shows that J. B. Drake a Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry as December 1863 – Absent sick Tazewell, Tennessee December 21, 1863. May 1865 ColorGuard
Company Muster-out Roll dated August 16, 1865 show a muster-out date of August 16, 1865 and that John B. Drake was a Corporal in Company F. 2nd Regiment N.C. Mounted Infantry, age 20, was last paid to December 31, 1864. He was due U.S. $36.62 and Bounty paid $25.00 and due $25. Remarks show Private from enlistment to Nov 8, 1863, then Corporal. Present for duty. Retained under G.O. 101 one musket, $6.00.