Williamsburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 28: Williamsburg, C. S. A., 1862, 1923

The first months of the year 1862 Williamsburg actually organized its military forces and disciplined its civilian population for the grim business of war. On February 1, 1862, the following companies from Williamsburg were in training camps: I. Company G, Fifteenth Infantry, Captain James McCutchen, enlisted for the period of the war; 2. Wee Xee Volunteers, Captain J. G. Pressley, in Colonel Hagood's First South Carolina Infantry, for one year from April 12, 1861 ; 3. Company E, Tenth Infantry, Captain J. F. Carraway, for twelve months from July 19, 1861; 4. Company H, Tenth Infantry, Captain

Captain John Watson and his cavalry company in the Pee Dee Legion, for twelve months from January 1, 1862; 6. Captain S. D. M. Byrd and his company in Major Manigault's Battalion; 7. Captain William B. Gordon and his company known as the Ripley Guards stationed at the Santee Bridge doing local duty and enlisted for twelve months; 8. The Wee Nee Riflemen under Captain Samuel W. Maurice, Third Regiment, at Camp Harlee, Georgetown. There were in these companies about eight hundred men. There were then in companies formed in the surrounding districts more than three hundred men from Williamsburg. Of these eleven hundred men from Williamsburg then under arms, the one hundred men in Captain James McCutchen's company were the only ones from this district who had enlisted for the duration of the war.

The Wee Nee Volunteers commanded by Captain John G. Pressley became Company C of the Twenty-Fifth Regi¬ ment under Colonel Charles H. Simonton. Captain Presslev was then elected Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment and commanded it in nearly all of its battle service. Col¬ onel Simonton was commanding a brigade or on detached service in the Judge Advocate's Department for the greater part of the War. Captain Thomas J. China suc¬ ceeded Captain Pressley in command of the Wee Nee Volunteers, and later, after Captain China had been killed, Captain Calhoun Logan commanded it.

James F. Pressley organized Company E, Tenth In¬ fantry, but when the Tenth Infantry was formed, Captain Pressley was elected Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment and Captain James F. Carraway succeeded him in com¬ mand of the Company. When this Tenth Infantry com¬ manded by Colonel A. M. Manigault was organized for the duration of the War, Captain Carraway of Company E resigned and Captain T. N. Miller succeeded him. Cap¬ tain Miller died at Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1862, and Cap¬ tain G. P. Anderson succeeded him. This Regiment in 1862 had in it for the duration of the War also from Williamsburg Captain J. R. Nettles' Company H. When Captain Watson's Company, Williamsburg Light Dra¬ goons, became Company I, Fourth Cavalry, it was under the command of Captain S. J. Snowden. This year Cap¬ tain Byrd was promoted, becoming Major of Byrd's Bat¬ talion in the Twenty-Sixth Regiment of Infantry. Cap¬ tain C. S. Land succeeded him in command of the Com¬ pany.

"In September of this year, there was a great demand for soldiers to defend our seacoast and companies com¬ posed of old men and broken down Confederate soldiers residing in our Congressional District were called into service. After two months at Fort Finger on the Pee Dee River, Colonel E. B. C. Cash's Regiment was ordered to report at Georgetown and thither we went. At an election for officers for the Williamsburg and George¬ town Company, the following men were chosen : S. D. McGill, captain; A. F. Gardner, first lieutenant; W. G.

"Williamsburg was assigned as a guard around the colors of the regiment obtained by Major J. B. Chandler, a native of and interested in our County. At the organi¬ zation of Company D, the following non-commissioned officers were appointed by its captain : W. D. Fulton, first sergeant; W. J. Lee, second sergeant; S. J. Strong, third sergeant; Jesse Carter, fourth sergeant; T. S. Stuart, fifth sergeant; J. M. Gordon, first corporal; R. F. Scott, second corporal ; E. H. McConnell, third corporal ; W. J. Stone, fourth corporal. The latter being quickly detailed in blacksmith shop, J. D. Harper was appointed in his place.

"At first, there were one hundred twentv-six men on roll, but a few were detailed from the company, as their ser¬ vices were required in other duties, occasioning a change among the non-commissioned officers. When the com¬ pany was disbanded in February, 1863, at Kingstree, there were one hundred three men on duty and there they were paid off by the Captain for their services under him, in¬ cluding their commutation money, amounting to $6,935.41 in the aggregate.

The second man from Williamsburg killed in the War was Benjamin Faneuil Scott, Sergeant of Company K, Sixth Infantry. He rushed on the field at Williamsburg, Virginia, on May 5, 1862, received from the first volley a wound in his thigh, was taken by the enemy sweeping the field and died in their hands. His cousin, Alonzo W. Flagler, saw him fall, but could give no further in¬ formation of him. He was the eldest son of John Ervin and Mary Gordon Scott. His mother hoped as long as she lived that he might return.

B. Huggins, and G. G. McElveen. Killed at Boonsboro, September 14, 1862 : S. T. Chandler, John Hudson, William McCallister, J. McDonald, and George W. Spring. Killed at Maryland Heights, Lieutenant W. E. Keels. Wounded at Maryland Heights, Washington Venters. Wounded at Fort Sumter, November 2, 1862, E. Johnson. Wounded at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 : G. S. Faddy, H. D. Gamble, Lieutenant G. W. Bar¬ ron, W. L. Graham, J. M. Graham, John Thompson, W. J. Wilson, Captain James McCutchen, and W. S. Eaddy. At Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862, were killed : W. W. Cunningham, Hugh Johnson, and Daniel Conyers Ne¬ smith ; wounded, Alonzo W. Flagler. Wounded at Cor¬ inth, May 26, 1862, William G. Gamble, W. J. Britton.

Death may be a beautiful thing when a young man rejoicing in his strength rushes out to meet a valiant enemy and falls in the forefront of the battle line. There it is swift death or sweet victory, but where a young man wastes away with some loathsome disease in some pesti¬ lential hospital, when his strong comrades are outside responding to the clear call to fame, and the bugle notes with failing strength fall on his ears - this is death with all its sting.

The Wee Nee Volunteers were stationed at Camp Glover on James Island and participated in the battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862. This Company left James Island on December 14, 1862 and were transported by railroad to Wilmington, North Carolina. From Wilming¬ ton the Company was ordered to Kinston. On reaching Magnolia it was ordered to return to Wilmington, where it remained in barracks until December 31, on which day it left for Charleston, South Carolina, and was again stationed at Camp Glover. The officers of the Company at this time were Captain Thomas J. China, First Lieuten¬ ant Calhoun Logan, Second Lieutenant Henry Montgom¬ ery, Jr., Third Lieutenant B. P. Brockinton. Captain China was sick from July 13 until the end of the year, during which time the Company was commanded by Lieutenant Logan. The inspecting officer on James Island reported on the Company as follows : discipline, good ; instruction, very good; military appearance, very fine; arms, good with exception of a few; accoutrements, good; clothing, very good.

The Tenth Infantry commanded by Colonel A. M. Manigault left South Island on March 31, 1862, for the West, where it was brigaded with three Alabama regiments and commanded by Brigadier General Trapier until December 1, 1862, when Colonel Manigault succeeded him. This Regiment had three Williamsburg companies in it and the other companies of the organization contained many Williamsburg men. On May 2 this Regiment formed the advance guard of Beauregard's army and checked the enemy at what was the first battle of Corinth. In August, General Beauregard was sent to Charleston and General Bragg commanded the Confederate forces in the vicinity of Chattanooga. The Tenth Regiment formed the advance guard of General Bragg's army at Munfordville and Perry - ville. After Perrvville, Bragg returned to Knoxville to rest and recuperate his army. Then he recrossed the mountains and was attacked by General Rosecrans at Murfreesboro, or Stone's River, on December 31, 1862. In this battle the Tenth Regiment showed great valor and a large number of its men were killed or wounded. As a mark of especial distinction, this Regiment was allowed to retain the guns that it had captured and to have the names of the men of the Regiment who fell inscribed on them.

However much the Tenth Infantry suffered from battle during 1862, its losses from disease far exceeded its killed and wounded. It is difficult for one to understand the losses from disease that occurred during the summer and fall. Enterogastritis seems to have afflicted nearly all of the men and the physicians alternately prescribed blue mass and opium pills which had but little control of the condition. The men ate whatever they fancied and drank the first water they found. Thirty-five years later this country was considered as polluted with malignant dis¬ ease germs when so many of the soldiers stationed at Chickamauga during the Spanish American War died of the same kind of diseases that had taken off so many of the Confederates.

William J. Clarkson, who was a merchant near Lenud's Ferry, eniisted in Captain Weston's Company of the Tenth Regiment when it was organized on July 19, 1861. Mr. Clarkson was the great grandson of Colonel William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen¬ dence and a representative in the first Congress under the United States Constitution. Colonel William Floyd was the great grandson of Richard Floyd and his wife, Sus¬ annah, who in 1650 came from Brecknockshire in Wales to Massachusetts and afterwards settled on Long Island. Thus, it will he seen that William J. Clarkson, of the Tenth Regiment, had a long line of worthy American blood. He was educated and may be regarded as one of the highest type of private soldiers in the Confederate Army. Mr. Clarkson kept a diary from the time he left South Island with the Tenth Regiment on March 31, 1862 until he was severely wounded in the head and tempo¬ rarily deprived of his sight at Murfreesboro on Decem¬ ber 31, 1862. This diary is a remarkable piece of work. From it one may see something of the soul of the soldier of the Tenth Regiment during that period. These quotations are taken from this diary.

"March 31, 1862. Up very early - got breakfast - struck tents - then left for Mount Pleasant. Marched fifteen miles - this is a pretty place to camp - saw some pretty young ladies - two or three visited our camp that night.

"April 6, 1862. Went to Catholic Church this morning - the afternoon to the Methodist Episcopal Church - had inspection. The Colonel spoke to the Regiment in regard to some of its late conduct.

" April 9, 1862. Charleston is truly a mass of ruins. We have been reviewed by General Ripley. He appeared to like the looks of the Regiment very much.

"April 11, 1862. Left Charleston on steamboats - landed at a country wharf - marched through the city to the South Carolina Railroad - received many cheers on our way - tiresome trip to Augusta - some pretty places on the way.

"April 14, 1862. Took breakfast at Dalton - liked the place very much - ordered to return in consequence of the enemy being in our wav - take the back track for Atlanta. On our way to Atlanta - we again turn toward Chatta¬ nooga.

"April 15, 1862. Again we receive orders to return to Atlanta - shifted engines in Atlanta - many of us were left - Colonel Manigault appeared very much vexed. At Newman we were in a railroad smash - one was killed and twenty-eight wounded.

"April 17, 1862. Ladies request to have a dress parade, so the Regiment appeared on the grounds amidst a crowd. The people liked it very much.

"April 18, 1862. Arrived at Montgomery - it is a busi¬ ness looking place - eight hundred Yankee prisoners here. Two ladies sent me and some others a beautiful bouquet with their best wishes for our success and for safe return. Left Mobile on the steamer Saint Nicholas.

"April 20, 1862. Billy Gamble and myself stole out of the boat and went up into the city. Like the looks of things very much - some very fine looking places and pub¬ lic houses, postoffice, custom house, and others. The

"April 21, 1862. Ordered to leave for Corinth at four o'clock - expect soon to see the enemy. Our Regiment is truly in a state of confusion but I trust all things will work good for us and that our country will soon be at peace.

"April 24, 1862. Arrived at Corinth at five- thirty - looks like there are many soldiers here. We are all worn out from the fatigue of travel, having been on the road for thirteen days. This is decidedly the filthiest place I ever saw. Nothing can be procured to eat for love nor money.

"April 26, 1862. I looked around at the breastworks that are around this place. It appears as if it would be impossible for the enemy to come in. This morning I ate one hard bread for dinner - this is what I call hard fare. After tattoo tonight the Regiment met at the Col¬ onel's headquarters and Chaplain Capers had prayers. I truly hope God will hear, answer, and help us.

"April 27, 1862. Again partake of hard bread and bitter coffee for breakfast - had inspection this morn¬ ing. I believe the Sabbath is truly a day of rest - may I do nothing today that I shall be sorry for hereafter. We received better rations today - molasses, flour, coffee, sugar, rice, and meat.

"April 28, 1862. I went down to the spring and for the first time tried to wash a few clothes - find it rather difficult. Various reports as to the fall of New Orleans are current.

"April 30, 1862. We expect an attack every day - I hope we shall be prepared to give the enemy a warm reception. Had a few instructions from our captain as to how we shall act and aim in battle - ordered to cook three days' rations. Noticed the Twenty-Eighth Alabama Regiment today. Its performance was very poor.

"May 31, 1862. Ordered to march at four o'clock to¬ morrow morning. We shall no doubt soon see the long looked for enemy and come together. If so, may God pro¬ tect and shield us from danger.

"Mav 2, 1862. We are on the road for somewhere but I do not know where. Marched ten and one half miles over the worst road I ever saw - remained under arms all day - great excitement all the time. After dark I fell asleep, the ground for my bed and the starry heavens for my covering.

"May 8, 1862. Company being reorganized and the government is holding all those who have served twelve months - very unjust I think. Four o'clock we all marched out to face the Yankees on the road to Shiloh - some of our men fired on them - supposed to have killed a major - saw his horse and overcoat.

"May 9, 1862. After a few hours of sleep on the cold ground, we were called up at four- thirty - fell in but for no purpose - took another nap leaning against a tree - we are taken back to camp for rations and find we will )e out of them for two days. Nine o'clock we are again )n the road for Farmington - at twelve o'clock we opened i rapid fire on the enemy. We were in open field in full sight - feel calmer than I expected - three o'clock the firing ceases - we have driven the Yankees back through the field - saw four of the enemv that have been killed, awful sight - truly an awful sight to me to see the dead and wounded on the ground. This battle is considered to be a great victory. We have accomplished that for which we went - to burn and destroy the bridge at Farm¬ ington to cut off the communication of the enemv from the railroad.

"May 15, 1862. Over to the Fifth Georgia Regiment this evening - drank a quantity of beer - 100 a cup. Va¬ rious reports going the rounds - some say peace and some say war. My trust is in God.

"May 19, 1862. Our surgeon orders no one to come up on sick list who is suffering from colds or diarrhea. He is becoming quite harsh in his practice. Continual stir in camp.

"May 23, 1862. Expect to get furlough in order to recruit my health. Had a letter from home today - oh, that God may protect them and may we soon meet again, our country being at peace!

"May 27, 1862. The thoughts of staying at this hos¬ pital make me sick. Mr. Harmon, the Methodist preacher, carried me out to his home. The Harmons appear to be very fine but plain country people.

"June 12, 1862. Received haversack of eatables and bade the Harmons goodbye. I can never forget them foi their kindness - I hope God will bless and reward them.

"June 13, 1862. Am at Jackson, tlie Capital of Missis¬ sippi - bought essence of ginger - looked at pistols being made - drank beer - lay about in the dirt all day - bought milk and ate snack - tried to get off on passenger train but being a poor soldier could not. Ate supper and at

"June 14, 1862. Arrived at Meridian at seven o'clock - looked about but find nothing but filth. It is truly tire¬ some staying about these one horse depots. At ten o'clock all aboard on filthy box cars again - travelled all night.

"June 15, 1862. Still on the road - detained in conse¬ quence of order given - had to run back for water - had a car smashed on our train and had to leave same - this way of treating a poor soldier is a shame - cars again tonight.

"June 22, 1862. On sick list - ate a piece of raw meat and raw liver for breakfast - this is indeed hard living. This holy Sabbath has been passed with little advantage to me - oh, that I may yet be allowed the privilege of enjoy¬ ing this, the Lord's Day.

"June 26, 1862. Bade farewell to the sick list and to our quack doctors - was made to mark time for going to the creek for water - something new to me.

"July 31, 1862. On the cars - tiresome travelling - no one is allowed to leave the cars even for water, but I violated orders and slept all night on the top of a car.

"August 5, 1862. Passed many ladies and received their good wishes for our success - many peaches and water¬ melons - stopped at Graniteville and got a fine supper at the hotel.

"August 12, 1862. Ordered to wash clothes without soap. This is another unreasonable order which I do not obey. Dress parade and a perfect botch of the march off the field.

"August 13, 1862. Lequex, McCants, McNulty, and Alexander, and I walked out over the mountains to the country to various houses in search of eatables. At last we came up with a good dinner. We went to another house and picked some fine peaches.

"September 14, 1862. It is truly no good and quite hard on me to be compelled to violate the holy Sabbath washing my clothes, but it is now three weeks since I put on any clean clothes, so I had to do this, it being my first opportunity.

"September 24, 1862. Bardstown, Kentucky, is a de¬ lightful place but the water is scarce. Our rations have been cut down again to one-half pound flour. Three of us went into the country and bought some peaches from a Lincolnite and ate fine dinner. I hear that Lincoln intends to free all the negroes on January first.

"October 12, 1862. No enemy yet, thank God. God has been merciful to us all. Went up to the house and got rations of whiskey. The General and all hands 'full.'

"October 18, 1862. Marched eighteen miles - stopped at a creek - got rations of beef and half pound flour. Washed face and hands for the first time in over a week. Cooked my bread over top of an old lantern.

"October 22, 1862. Was amused at a soldier in a gar¬ den. The owner shot at him and the soldier ran out very rapidly. Rations of corn two ears to the man.

"November 5, 1862. Feel very sick, no money, no friends, in hospital all day. It is truly distressing to see the suffering at these hospitals.

. "November 30, 1862. Lieutenant White arrived and brought our boxes from home. Judge and I went to the creek, washed, put on clean clothes, and then we ate a hearty meal of butter, hominy, ham, cake, and other things.

"December 5, 1862. Colonel Pressley and staff now en¬ gaging in snow balling but it was too cold for me. I stay by the fire. I stayed up until after midnight to see the moon in total eclipse.

"December 13, 1862. Was reviewed on field about four miles beyond Murfreesboro by President Davis, Gen¬ eral Bragg, and others. Our division alone was reviewed. This has truly been a day of interest, having seen the Presi¬ dent of the Confederate States.

"December 19, 1862. Was compelled to see a poor man of the Twenty-Eighth Alabama Regiment shot for de¬ sertion - had twenty-eight guns fired at him - it was a cruel thing.

"December 20, 1862. Two years today since the seces sion of South Carolina - drew knapsack, and ate a heart} dinner. I hear that the enemy is evacuating Nashville that Captain Weston has been elected Lieutenant Gov ernor of South Carolina, and there is much talk of peace

"December 25, 1862. Clear and pleasant - this is thi first Christmas for me in the army - ate breakfast an( reported at headquarters - wrote all day - very busy - wrote orders to have two men shot tomorrow. What t Christmas !

"December 31, 1862. Battle still rages hot and heavy. The Tenth Regiment is ordered to advance and charge. We repulsed the enemy but they came back again. I was wounded - shot through the right eye and soon got off to the rear to the hospital. The wound is very painful."

The War in 1862 did not look to the folks at home like it did in 1861. In 1862, everybody realized that every energy must be utilized to win. Volunteering in the first part of 1861 was an easy matter. It was a serious step in 1862. A letter to the Courier of March 3, 1862, begins as follows : "As a daughter of Carolina and of the Tow country,' I write to beg that you will again appeal to our men. With dismay and grief, I learn that in Charleston it has been necessary to draft." The letter continues in the most appealing feminine manner. In Williamsburg, practically every man was a volunteer. There were, however, a few who attempted to remain at home. These were shown at once in no uncertain terms by the women that their place was on the field. If a man did not heed the warning of the women, the old men, using stern measures, soon made him look for the battle line.

In the spring of 1862, the people of Williamsburg planted all they could, and the slaves labored with in¬ creased zeal when they saw how "ole Massa" and "ole Missus" were working to send things to "young Massa" in "de wah." The slaves showed a loyalty to their masters all during the War that appeals most forcibly to a man. All war time there was an abundance of foodstuffs in Wil¬ liamsburg.

The plantations were searched for everything that could he used bv the Confederate Government. This letter was published by the Mercury : "Indiantown, S. C., March 29, 1862. Richard Yeadon, Esq. Dear Sir: I have this day sent to you by the Northeastern Railway about forty pounds of lead and brass of my own, and fourteen pounds for Mrs. Isabelle Garland, for the use of the government. Also, four patchwork quilts from four ladies of Williamsburgh, to be raffled or sold and the money applied to the ladies' gunboat, Palmetto State. Very respectfully, W. J. B. Cooper."

From the captain commanding came this letter to the Mercury : "I beg space to return thanks of the Wee Nee Volunteers to Mrs. J. F. Brockinton and to the ladies of the Elon Church Soldiers' Aid Association for valuable contributions of clothing and blankets. These substantial evidences of the regard and sympathy of the ladies of our native district have been gratefully received; and to be as brave in the defense of them and their homes as they are untiring in their efforts to serve us shall be our aim."

J. M. Thomas, of Myersville, was collector of Confeder¬ ate War taxes in Williamsburg during 1862. The ap¬ pointments to the Citadel that year were B. S. Nesmith and Thomas McCutclien. The Methodist circuit riders in the district were the Reverends John W. Murrav and

Henry J. Morgan. The Reverend W. A. Hemingway was chaplain of the Twenty-First Infantry in the field and the Reverend Jeremiah J. Snow, chaplain of the Sixth Infantry.