BIOGRAPHIES
John Wright West was born 19 Jul 1844 in Duplin Co.,N.C.
probably Warsaw.
He was the oldest of five children.
When the Civil War broke out, John enlisted in June of 1861 at the age
of 16. His company muster roll states that he was a farmer and was 17 years
of age. July 30th 1862 he was discharged by the Conscript Act and on June
30 1863 he reenlisted. John was in Company D, 1st Battalion, North Carolina
Heavy Artillery. He was at the Battle of Fort Fisher under Major James
Reilly. John's younger brother, Daniel James West, was in the same company
and was mortally wounded in that battle. One of John's saddest memories
of the war was the loss of his brother. Apparently Company D was given
the call to charge just as Daniel was severely wounded and John had to
follow orders and leave his brother there to die.
HOME
