William Henry Bagley

William Henry Bagley (July 5, 1833 – February 21, 1886) was an American military officer, politician, and newspaperman. He served as clerk of the North Carolina Supreme Court, having been elected January 18, 1869, and holding that position until his death, a little more than 17 years thereafter. He was appointed to the post of superintendent of the United States Mint at Charlotte, but could not accept the appointment as he did not qualify for it. He served as state senator for North Carolina's First Senatorial District. Biography Bagley was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina, on 5 July 1833, and was a son of Colonel Willis Bagley. In 1852, Bagley was elected register of deeds of his native County, and held that position for several years. In 1855, he removed to Elizabeth City, in the adjacent county of Pasquotank, and there engaged in journalistic work as editor of the Sentinel. He also studied law, and was licensed to practice in 1859. In 1860, he was associated in the editorial management of another paper, the State, with James W. Hinton. Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, Bagley entered the Confederate service, and was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company A, Eighth North Carolina Regiment, on May 16, 1861. This regiment being sent to join the forces engaged in the defenses around Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, Bagley was engaged in numerous actions in that vicinity until February 8, 1862, when he was captured by Burnside's expedition against Roanoke Island, where he was stationed.