In blistering summer heat on July 1,1863, the first day of fighting was raging across the Pennsylvania farmland at the Battle of Gettysburg. As the troops of the 47th North Carolina Infantry moved into the thick of battle, they were slowed by the high temperatures. "The men had difficulty in ramming down their cartridges," recalled Captain John W. Thorpe, "so slick was the iron ram-rod in hands thoroughly wet with perspiration. All expedients were resorted to, but mainly jamming the ram-rods against the ground and rocks."
The North Carolinians were trading fire with some of the North's best troops — the heralded "Iron Brigade" — as General James J. Pettigrew's brigade of Confederates sought to drive Federal forces from Gettysburg's McPherson Ridge. The regiment had to advance across an open field "about a fourth of a mile wide," push through "thick underbrush and briars," and advance across another open field under fierce fire all the way.

As the 47th advanced, Federal artillery fire tore into the regiment's ranks. With gritty determination, the infantry continued to move forward, "delivering its steady fire amid the rebel yells, and closed with the first line of enemy." The Federals gave way, and the North Carolinians advanced on a second enemy line, which also fell back after desperate fighting.
"All were yelling and pressing forward through the growing wheat breast high," recalled Captain Thorpe, "when suddenly a third line of the enemy arose forty yards in front, as if by magic, and leveled their shining line of gun barrels on the wheat heads. Though [we were] taken by surprise, the roar of our guns sounded along our whole line. We had caught the drop on them. [We] redoubled our yells and [made] a rush, and the work was done...." Hard-pressed by Confederate forces like the 47th North Carolina, the Federal line collapsed and Gettysburg's first day of battle ended in a Southern victory.

The 47th North Carolina Infantry was mustered at Camp Mangum near Raleigh, in April of 1862, and was enlisted in Confederate service in May. Transferred to camp between Kinston and New Berne, the regiment began the war drilling, training and doing outpost guard duty. In July of 1862, the 47th was sent to Petersburg, where it was brigaded with other North Carolina regiments under the command of Brigadier General James G. Martin. Troops from the regiment did picket duty and helped construct fortifications at Drewry's Bluff on the James River near Richmond.
Brigadier General James J. Pettigrew replaced General Martin during the summer of 1862. After serving on provost duty, guarding the railroad south of Petersburg, and reinforcing Confederate forces at Kinston, the 47th joined Pettigrew's Brigade in the unsuccessful Confederate attempt to recapture Federally-held New Berne, North Carolina. In June of 1863, Pettigrew's Brigade — including the 47th North Carolina Regiment —joined Robert E. Lee's Northern invasion as part of Heth's Division of General A.P. Hill's Corps.

After playing a principal role in the Confederate success on the first day of battle at Gettysburg, the 47th North Carolina was held in reserve until July 3,1863, when Pettigrew's Brigade distinguished itself in Pickett's Charge. "It was an open field in front about three-quarters of a mile in width," recalled a survivor of the assault. "When about half across the intervening space, the enemy opened on us a most destructive fire of grape and canister. When within about 250 or 300 yards of the stone wall behind which the enemy was posted, we were met with a perfect hail-storm of lead from their small-arms." The regiment was shattered by the Federal fire-storm and fell back with the other Confederate survivors. When the charge ended, the 47th North Carolina was but a "skeleton of its former self."
General Pettigrew, killed during the retreat from Gettysburg, was replaced as brigade commander by General William W. Kirkland. The depleted 47th North Carolina remained in the thick of the fighting in Virginia, and was engaged at Bristoe Station, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Reams' Station, Petersburg, Hatcher's Run and the Appomattox Campaign. At the Battle of Reams' Station on August 25,1864, the 47th North Carolina received much credit for a brigade assault that captured an estimated 2,000 Federal troops and nine pieces of artillery. In the bitter fighting at Boydton Plank Road on October 27,1864, the regiment suffered another blow when it incurred heavy casualties and the loss of its regimental battle flag. On April 12,1865, 77 battle-worn survivors of the 47th were present when the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox. "[We] marched between the open ranks of the Federals and stacked guns," remembered one North Carolinian." 'Twas silent — very sad. We broke ranks for home."