Confederate States Army

· in rebellion against the United States · Civil War, 1861–1865

Francis M. Eccles

Sergeant

1842 – 1872

1 war 1 assignment 2 family held

Sergeant Francis M. Eccles served in the Confederate States Army. Francis served with the Company A, 21st North Carolina Infantry. Francis served in the Civil War. Francis was 30 years old.

Life Story

Francis M. Eccles was born on February 27, 1842, in North Carolina to Harrison and Christina Eccles. His father was a farmer who owned $3,000 of real estate and $7,000 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Davidson County, North Carolina.

He enlisted in the Confederate army on May 8, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company A of the 11th North Carolina Infantry. The regiment became the 21st North Carolina Infantry in November 1861. The regiment took part in the First Battle of Manassas, the Seven Days’ Battles, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Battle of Monocacy, and the siege of Petersburg.

He eventually earned a promotion to sergeant, and he was severely wounded in the arm and leg in the Battle of Plymouth in April 1864. He surrendered as part of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865.

He returned to Davidson County after the war, and he earned a living as a farmer. By 1870, he owned $2,000 of real estate and $700 of personal property. He died on May 27, 1872.

Letters1

1 written by Francis

30 October 1861 Francis M. Eccles → Margaret Elizabeth Eccles, Martha E. Eccles

Broad Run Station

Fauquier Cou Oct 30^th 1861

My dear Sister's

I received a letter from you this evening and was very glad to hear from home and hear that you was all well at Home but very sorry to hear that Aunt Mary was sick with the Tyfoid Fevere but I hope that she is considerably better before this time.

I wrote a few lines to Sister Mattis the other day when Mr Mikel was at Centersville and he come back this evening and I thought that I would write you both a few lines. Since our Col has gone to Centerville all of our letters goes there to him before we get them and you may write soon and write to Manassas Junction and I then I will get them. I did'ent get to Centresville the other day for I have been having Chills for some time, but I will go in a short time I think Dock Larabee is down there now and is well so Mr Mikel said. They are expecting a fight down about there in a few days but I dont think so. I would like to come home and stay there a while and fly round with the girls going to meting. And then I could have something good to eat and drink and be there where I / could be cared for and have a good warm bed to sleep in and that in a warm old hous. I would not be like an old cold tent where the wind and cold can spring up off of the ground. Tell Mary that I reckon that she thought that the Reg that she saw was a big sight and you would think so too but too se all the Reg that I have seen would be a sight to look at. I hope that Mary has got shut of the chills since she has been with Aunt Mary. Pa need not send me any gloves for I have bought me a spendid pair of buckskin gloves and I will not kneed any more now. But for him to get me another pair of shoes or boots readdy by the time I need them. I will let him know when to send them to me. I will close my uninteresting letter by asking you both to write to me Give my love and best respects to Ma and Pa and any other enquiring friends. Kiss Susan and Mary for me. And accept a great portion of my love for yourselvs. Tell Sinday and the boys howdy for me. Write soon.

I remain you Affectionate Brother

Francis. M. Eccles

Maggie E. Eccles

Mattie E. Eccles

I would like to see you

all very well I do wish that

we could get to come back to

Old N.C. again and then

mabee I could get to come home

and see you all again. F. M.Eccles

His last letter, 30 October 1861 · Died 27 May 1872

Company A, 21st North Carolina Infantry

Sergeant

Entered service as Private; left as Sergeant.

Branch

Confederate States Army

Highest rank

Sergeant

War

Civil War

Service Record

Confederate States Army

Company A, 21st North Carolina Infantry

Sergeant

Entered service as Private; left as Sergeant.

Conflicts

Civil War

Family

Open in Discovery

Solid line: Home Front · dashed: Loved Ones · outlined circle: named in the record, not yet held

Home Front

Martha E. Eccles

Sister

1848 – 1925

Eccles, Martha E. is the sibling of Eccles, Francis M.

Margaret Elizabeth Eccles

Sister

1846 – 1933

Eccles, Margaret Elizabeth is the sibling of Eccles, Francis M.

In Our Keeping

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Record added October 18, 2026 vincent.nw

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Last updated October 18, 2026

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