[1] Battle spent his early childhood in Louisburg, North Carolina, where his father practiced law and was active in politics.

In 1862, Battle was elected by the legislature to serve as a trustee of the University and held this position until 1868, when the entire board was thrown out by the Reconstruction General Assembly.

He was elected Treasurer by the legislature in 1866 but removed from office in 1868 by the occupying U.S. military authorities because of his service to the Confederacy.

"[5] Edwin Alderman declared that "under Dr. Battle's wise and sympathetic direction the history department of the University enriched and invigorated the intellectual life of the institution, causing history to be regarded by those under his guidance as no longer merely informational and conventional in value, but a department of the great science of sociology.

The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the oldest student group on UNC's campus, used to hold a history lecture in Battle's name and honor every year on the eve of University Day.