"We very much regret to announce today that hostilities have actually commenced between the Southern Confederacy and the Federal Government…."
Hillsboro Recorder, April 10, 1861

The American Civil War began with attacks on Fort Sumter in April 1861. Charles Fisher, President of the North Carolina Railroad Company, immediately organized a regiment of troops and established a training camp at Company Shops. On May 25, 1861, Fisher was appointed Colonel of the Sixth North Carolina Regiment. Throughout the month of June the regiment camped and drilled near the Shops. On July 3rd just after Fisher resigned as head of the NCRR, the regiment left on a special train to join the First Battle of Manassas in Virginia. Nine days later, Fisher suffered a fatal gunshot wound and died a hero’s death.

Supplying the Army:

"All Railroad companies of the State will transport troops and munitions of war for the use of the State free of charge, and extra trains will always be in readiness for an emergency."
State Journal, Raleigh, April 20, 1861

Railroads were the most outstanding technological innovation of the 19th century, allowing them to play tremendous roles in the events and outcome of the American Civil War. For the very first time armies could be quickly shifted from place to place and supplied with reinforcements, armaments, and provisions over hundreds of miles in record time.
Until the final weeks of the war, the NCRR became the Confederacy’s longest and most dependable lifeline by transporting materials and troops for General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.
By May 1, 1861 a Charlotte newspaper described the road as moving troops and supplies "at all hours and at every inconvenience and expense, free of charge."

Passenger & Freight Service:

Prior to the war, the NCRR ran 2 partially filled passenger cars a day in each direction. In wartime, passenger trains contained 6-10 overflowing cars. In June 1861 the longest passenger train on the NCRR was reported as having 12 coaches all filled with soldiers on their way to Virginia.
The road carried the increased load of passengers and freight with the same pre-war equipment. Every car ran the length of the road every day and freight piled up in stations, warehouses, and along the tracks. Increased traffic caused an in crease in wear and tear of NCRR’s rolling stock and equipment. Railroad deterioration greatly affected the amount of supplies reaching the army.

NCRR Under Attack:

In early 1865 Union forces under General Sherman cut off all major Confederate supply lines between South Carolina and Virginia. In March NCRR became a major carrier of men, animals, and supplies gathering rapidly under Confederate General Johnson to meet General Sherman’s advancing troops. In April the NCRR found itself at the center of the war and under attack.
The advancing Union army was responsible for burning bridges at Greensboro and Jamestown, the depot and warehouse at High Point, the passenger shed at Salisbury, and the depot at Greensboro. Retreating Confederates seeking to slow Sherman’s advance from Goldsboro to Raleigh destroyed bridges at Hillsboro and over the Neuse River and Little Creek. They tore up 8 miles of track and filled in cuts with debris near Goldsboro, burned the depot and warehouse at Raleigh and the station at Morrisville.
On April 26, 1865, Generals Sherman and Johnston met at the Bennett farm in Durham where they agreed upon terms for Johnston’s surrender. The war finally came to an end.

 
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