Contributed by: Diane Siniard
After refusing to join in the fighting in the Civil War he was shot and killed as he ran through the woods by soldiers. He was killed when his son James Oram was very young. Told to me by Dorcas Banks Brinson. On 15 Sep 1862, Cpl. E. J. Banks enlisted in Co. K, 31st North Carolina Infantry Regiment at Camp Mangum, Raleigh, NC. They left that location for Kinston, NC on 23 Oct 1862, then to Greensville, NC on 4 Nov and back to Kinston on 6 Nov. On 12 Nov they were flanked and spiked their artillery, moved to the north end of the island and there surrendered. [history is confused] On 21 Feb 1863, they were at Elizabeth City, NC. On 16 Feb 1863, they left Camp Whiting. E. J. listed as absent at hospital in Columbia, SC. (Compiled Service Records Confederate Soldiers -- North Carolina. LDS reel 1381363). * Death info from Compiled Service Records Confederate Soldiers -- North Carolina. LDS reel 1381363. E. J. Banks (First_Last) Regiment Name 31 North Carolina Infantry. Side Confederate Company K Soldier`s Rank_In Corporal Soldier`s Rank_Out Corporal Alternate Name Notes Film Number M230 roll 2 CONFEDERATE NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS 31st Regiment, North Carolina Infantry 31st Infantry Regiment, organized at Wilmington, North Carolina, in September, 1861, contained men from Anson, Edgecombe, Brunswick, Beaufort, Craven, and Harnett counties. Stationed at Roanoke Island, the unit was captured in February, 1862. After being exchanged, it was assigned to General Clingman`s Brigade and remained under his command for the duration of the war. The 31st fought at White Hall, then moved to the Charleston area where it was engaged in various conflicts including the fight at Battery Wagner. Ordered north it took an active part in the battles at Drewry`s Bluff and Cold Harbor, and later endured the hardships of the Petersburg siege north and south of the James River. In 1865 it fought its last battle at Bentonville. The unit had 456 effectives at Roanoke Island and lost 7 killed, 31 wounded, and 1 missing defending Battery Wagner on July 18, 1863. Few surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Its commanders were Colonel John V. Jordan; Lieutenant Colonels Daniel G. Fowle, Charles W. Knight, and Edward R. Liles; and Majors John A.D. McKay and Jesse J. Yeates.
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