Emeline Pigott was born on December 15, 1836 in Harlowe Township, Carteret County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Col. Levi Whitehurst Pigott and Elizabeth Dennis. She grew up in Harlowe and when she was 25, she moved with her family to Crab Point, near current day Morehead City, North Carolina. Across the creek from the farm, there was an encampment of Confederate soldiers stationed there to help protect the North Carolina Coast.
Just across Calico Creek from their farm, the Confederate 26th North Carolina Division was stationed. Emeline helped sick and wounded soldiers of the division by nursing them and providing food and supplies. She collected mail from the soldiers and would also sneak medical supplies, food, and clothing into the nearby woods and hide them in hollow trees designated especially for this purpose. During these activities, Pigott met and fell in love with a private by the name of Stokes McRae. McRae was involved in the Battle for New Bern and the regiment was sent north to Virginia. Stokes was born to a wealthy farm family in Montgomery County, NC. He attended and graduated from the University of North Carolina and led a life of idleness until he felt he was called to fight in the Civil War. Emeline followed the men of the 26th to New Bern, hoping to be of some help. New Bern fell to the Federals after only four hours of fighting. She remained in New Bern until the last train carrying Confederate wounded to Kinston. She remained there for several months nursing the wounded. The 26th NC fought in Virginia, and returned to eastern NC to protect Richmond, VA. In May 1863, the regiment was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia and they headed north. On July 1, the regiment took part in the Battle of Gettysburg. McRae, then a sergeant major, was hospitalized with a shattered thigh. He died on August 2, 1863. In December 1863, Emmeline made her way to Concord, NC when the Federals took Kinston. She finally worked her way back down to the coast and her home near Morehead City. Emeline organized fishermen to spy for her and she passed this information to the proper authorities. Emeline also entertained Yankee soldiers at her parents' farm, distracting them long enough for her brother-in-law, Rufus Bell, to carry food into the nearby woods for Confederates hiding there. Rufus was the husband of Emmeline's sister, Abigail. In 1864, Emmeline and Rufus were arrested on suspicion of spying while trying to carry supplies and messages across the lines. Rufus was searched and released when no contraband was found on him. While the police were looking for a woman to search Emeline, she ate some of the incriminating messages and tore others into tiny pieces. She was. however. found to be concealing about 30 pounds of contraband in her voluminous skirts. Secured in specially sewn pockets in her skirts and petticoats were discovered: 1 pair boots, 2 pairs of pants, a shirt, a cap, a dozen linen collars, 12 hankies, 50 skeins of wool, needles, a lot of spools of thread, toothbrushes, hair combs, 3 pocket knives, several pairs of gloves, razors, and 4-5 pounds of candy. The carriage in which they were arrested is on display at The History Place in Morehead City, North Carolina. Emmeline was transported to New Bern to stand trial. She was allowed to take her cousin, Mrs. Levi Woodburg Pigott, with her. They were imprisoned in a home in New Bern. The home still stands and is used as a gift shop for the nearby Tryon Palace complex. It is marked with a historical marker. One night, the women claimed someone tried to kill them with chloroform, but they broke a window in their cell and took turns breathing fresh air until they were able to summon the guards' attention. Over the next month, Emmeline was scheduled for trial on several occasions, but never went to a hearing. She was unexpectedly released from her incarceration and returned home. After her release, Federal soldiers constantly harassed her until the Civil War ended. Emmeline was a member of the New Bern Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and in her later years organized a chapter in Morehead City. It was named for her and she held the title of honorary president until her death on May 26, 1919 at the age of 82. Emmeline is buried in the Pigott family graveyard on the north shore of Calico Creek just off of what is now 20th Street and Emmeline Place in Morehead City. The graveyard is cared for by the city, but is padlocked. Her headstone can be seen from the padlocked gate.
