The North Carolina 51st Infantry Regiment was organized at Wilmington, North Carolina, in April, 1862, with men recruited in the counties of Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin, Columbus, Robeson, and New Hanover. The 51st was brigaded with the 8th North Carolina under Gen. Thomas Lanier Clingman. Their first engagement was at Goldsborough in December of 1862. The 51st was transferred to Charleston where it participated in the defense of that city and were the main defenders of Battery Wagner which was portrayed in the movie, "Glory." After the fall of Charleston, the 51st was transferred to Virginia where it participated in the late battles of 1864 and the siege of Petersburg. It returned to North Carolina at Christmas of 1864 and participated in the battle of Kinston and Bentonville where it surrendered with the Army of Tennessee.