A history of the University of South Carolina online

J. P. Mellard, A. P. Nicholson, J. G. Kamsey, J. M. Richard-
son, D. J. Sojourner, R. H. Smith, A. T. Smythe, G. R.
Thornwell, J. H. Trezevant, J. L. White, W. D. Warren,
J. A. Wilson.

It will be observed that Prof. Charles S. Venable, Pro-
fessor of Mathematics of the South Carolina College, was
made Captain of this company, which had volunteered for
service at the front in Virginia. It was the opinion of all
concerned at that time that some one of riper years and
more matured judgment should command this body of
students, but the selection of this distinguished educator
was a deserved compliment and shows the highest tribute
his scholars could pay to their esteemed and honored
instructor. Prof. Venable's letter of acceptance, dated 24th
of June, 1861, herewith annexed, shows the earnest and
zealous manner in which he proceeded to provide for the
boys and expresses his appreciation of the honor:

FAIRFAX C. H., June 24, 1861.

Mr. Iredell Jones Dear Sir: I received your letter this
morning and telegraphed my acceptance. I write to give my
answer more in detail. I will command the company with
pleasure. I am sorry that any difficulty occurred, but on
sober thinking of it my acceptance may serve in a measure
to heal it, and I will do everything I can for men who have
treated me with so much kindness as the South Carolina
students. I must hear from you at once, for I must get tents
and all sorts of camp equipage in Richmond. We must
not move with too much baggage, but must be well fixed in
every particular, so that all parties may be satisfied at home
that the hardships of soldier's life are relieved by all the care
that watchful officers can give their men. I am perfectly
convinced that every company should have its own hospital



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 371

tent. When I hear more definitely from you I can go to
Richmond and make many of these arrangements myself.
The boys must be very particular not to bring too much
luggage. Do you think it will be necessary for me to go to
South Carolina to bring you on, or would it answer as well
to meet you in Richmond? Let every man in the corps get
at once one or two flannel belly-bands, and besides this a
cape buttoned to the cap or a Havelock. These things are
great preventives against disease. I need not tell you that
in some points of drill the corps will find me not yet au fait,
but I think I can make it up very soon. On this point I feel
clear, because you can all say that I did not seek the position
which you in your too great kindness and confidence have
offered me, and I cannot and will not decline it. Have you
any knapsacks? Have you the right to the muskets? Tele-
graph me what you desire me to do briefly and write me in
full. The telegraph, as well as the letter, should be sent to
Manassas Junction, Tudor Hall Station, care of Capt.
Casson, Kershaw's Regiment. We are now in a few miles of
the enemy, about fifteen miles from Washington. There are
three College companies in the field my old College,
Hampden- Sidney, away up near Phillipi; Washington Col-
lege, in the same direction ; and the Mississippi University,
at or near Harper's Ferry. Hoping soon to hear from you,
and through you thanking the cadets again and again for
this display of their confidence and good will, I am yours
very truly,

(Signed) C. S. VBNABLE.

The College opened as usual in October, 1861, at the begin-
ning of the next term, but in a crippled condition. With
several exceptions the professors were ready for duty, and a
limited number of students had reported. The work of edu-
cation under difficulties proceeded, but still the usual control
of the Faculty could not prevail to keep down the patriotic
sentiments of South Carolina boys. The following extract
is taken from LaBorde's History of the South Carolina
College, dated November 8, 1861 :



372 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

"A committee of the students presented a communication
to the Faculty from the Governor of the State, expressing his
willingness to allow the College Cadets to report to Gen.
Drayton for military duty, provided they have the permis-
sion of any of the Faculty. The Faculty unanimously
resolved that they had no authority to disband the College.
There was now a general meeting of the students, and they
resolved to leave for the scene of war. The President waited
upon the Governor and made the most strenuous effort to
prevent it, but it was in vain."

This third company of College Cadets proceeded to the
coast and was quartered for a time at the race track in
Charleston. It is to be regretted that accurate data of the
record of the services of this company is not available at this
writing. The writer has assurances that it will be furnished
in the future.

But the curtain does not fall on this the third act of the
South Carolina College Cadets. All the students who were
physically able did service in the armies of the Confederacy.
Scattered in the various commands, their blood was shed
on all the great battlefields of the war ! There are but few
left to tell their deeds, except to say briefly, "They died for
their country," but thousands and hundreds of thousands
will always remain to cherish the memory of the Southern
soldier who gave his life to preserve his liberty !

UNDATED CLIPPING FROM A NEWSPAPER PRESERVED IN AN OLD

SCRAPBOOK.

A flag was presented to the College Cadets by the ladies
of Columbia. The presentation was made in the chapel by
Dr. LaBorde in behalf of the ladies ; Captain John H. Gary
responded for the cadets. Ensign Dupont received the flag,
which was of blue silk with a palmetto. Beneath this device
was a pen and sword crossed and the motto "Juncta Juvant."
The reverse bore the words "S. C. College Cadets" and the
motto "Ducit Amor Patriae."



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 373

SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE CADETS IN THE WAR

BY WASHINGTON A. CLARK,
CLASS 1862.

Reprinted from the Centennial Celebration, S. C. College,
December 20th, 1901.

Of those memorable occasions which marked the distin-
guishing features of the Confederate War, none possibly
stirred the people of this State so much as those which hap-
pened on the 12th day of April, 1861, and on the 7th day of
November of the same year. In the history of this State,
they constituted eras in that great struggle in which South
Carolina was chief actor.

The 12th of April, 1861, recalls to the mind of all the battle
of Fort Sumter. This was the opening gun of the war ; the
result of which was to remove entirely the Federal flag and
the Federal forces, and so the jurisdiction of the Federal
Government, from the State of South Carolina.

The 7th of November recalls to us the battle of Port Royal ;
the result of which was to restore the authority of the United
States within that portion of the State of South Carolina.

The news of each of these battles quickly reached Columbia
and mightily aroused the enthusiasm and patriotism of the
young men who then constituted the South Carolina College
Cadets. They quickly, even against the protestations of
those in authority, became participants in each of these
memorable events.

Shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter, as related by Lieu-
tenant Jones, the Cadets were returned to the College and
again resumed their studies preparatory to the June exami-
nations. When the College closed in the latter part of June,
an effort was made to carry the company to Virginia during
the summer vacation. This effort failed, however, and many
of the students went to battle in independent organizations.
Others returned to their homes for the vacation. In the
month of October, 1861, the College was opened at the
appointed time, and a large number of the old students
returned to their posts, and their numbers were also supple-



374 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

mented by those who then for the first time entered the Col-
lege. Upon the opening of the College, the company was
again organized under the command of the following com-
missioned officers, viz.: E. Dawkins Kodgers, captain;
William T. Gary, first lieutenant; Washington A. Clark,
second lieutenant ; Robert M. Anderson, third lieutenant.

Unfortunately no roll of this company (which has here-
tofore been spoken of as the Third Company), has been pre-
served. The list, however, of non-commissioned officers and
privates, with few exceptions, remained about the same as
that which went to Charleston in April; with the addition,
however, of those students who had just then entered the
College. Several battles had already then been fought in
Virginia, and the war fever was intense. The company,
therefore, devoted much of their time to drill and preparation
for field service, into which they were ever eager to go. While
thus actively engaged in their preparation for the field, they
were none the less in the regular pursuit of their college
duties; at all times, however, holding themselves in anxious
readiness to respond to any call of the State.

At this time the enemy occupied no foot of Carolina soil.
At Port Royal, however, the entrance to the Broad River
afforded a harbor upon which the navies of the world could
ride at anchor. This harbor afforded a great attraction to
the enemy as a basis of operation against the South Atlantic
States. The harbor had been fortified by the State of South
Carolina and was then deemed safe against any naval attack.
The fortifications consisted of Fort Walker upon the north-
ern end of Hilton Head Island, and Fort Beauregard on
the southern end of Bay Point. The entrance to the harbor
was therefore flanked upon either side by what was then
considered a sure defense against any attack. The former
consisted of twenty three (23) guns, and the latter of twenty
(20) guns, but at this point the harbor was no less than
two miles wide and therefore difficult of any sure and
effective defense.

On the 7th of November, 1861, a Federal fleet of seventeen
vessels, carrying 200 guns, under the command of Commo-



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 375

dore Dupont, appeared in the offing and soon thereafter
attempted an entrance into the harbor. A naval combat
ensued which lasted four hours; during which time both of
these forts were completely dismantled, and the Confederate
forces forced to retreat in great disorder. The attack was
not only unexpected, but the result was still more unexpected
and disappointing. The result of this was to expose not only
the Broad River with all of its tributaries, but Beaufort
County to the mercy of the enemy. This fleet was accom-
panied by 12,000 troops under the command of Brig. Gen.
Thomas W. Sherman. The Confederate forces, under the
command of General Dray ton, not exceeding 2,500 men, were
compelled to retreat in the face of the enemy, and thus leave
the entire country exposed to their attack. Our people were
totally unprepared, and so, many of the large and wealthy
planters in this section were compelled to abandon their
homes without preparation, leaving behind them their treas-
ures and valuables of every description. The loss to this
wealthy and prosperous community was therefore incalcul-
able. The planters of this portion of the State had been for
many years patrons of the South Carolina College, and at
that time many students from that district were members
of the College Cadets, and so the interest of the College was
seriously affected. Thus again the Federal forces possessed
themselves of at least this portion of the State and once
more fixed their jurisdiction therein. The news of this victory
of the enemy spread over the State like an electric shock,
and once again operated to call the College Cadets to arms.
On the next day, November 8th, the company, by a unani-
mous vote, offered their services to Governor Pickens for
coast defense. The faculty of the College, however, violently
opposed this movement, and used every argument in their
power in order to influence Governor Pickens not to accept
the company. On the afternoon of the same day the com-
pany left for Charleston on their way to Port Royal to report
to General Drayton, who was then in command of the Con-
federate forces at that place. Upon reaching Charleston,
however, the company was detained by the Governor, with



376 HISTORY OP THE UNIVERSITY

the flattering statement that they were retained as his body-
guard. The company was then temporarily stationed on
the Washington race course and attached to one of the
Charleston regiments then in camp under the command of
Col. Peter C. Gaillard.

Dr. LaBorde in his history of the South Carolina College,
on page 459, gives this account of the incident :

"November 8. A committee of the students presented a
communication to the faculty from the Governor of the State,
expressing his willingness to allow the College Cadets to
report to General Drayton for military duty, provided they
bear the permission of any of the faculty.

"The faculty unanimously resolved that they had no
authority to disband the College. There was a general meet-
ing of the students and they resolved to leave for the scene
of war. The President waited on the Governor and made
the most strenuous efforts to prevent it. But it was in vain."

The Federal forces, however, did not press their victory as
vigorously as was expected, and so military operations on
the coast of the State were rather inactive for several
months. During this time the College Cadets remained in
camp in the ordinary routine of daily drill and camp life,
but all were preparing for the more active duties of the field,
which they then felt to be imminent. The professors, how-
ever, in the meantime, anxious to preserve the life of the
College, spared no efforts to insure their return upon the
opening of the College in January. The quiet which ensued
the fall of Port Koyal afforded the Governor a good pretext,
and so, on the 10th day of December, the company was
mustered out of service and the students ordered to prepare
themselves to return to College on the 1st of January. The
students, however, felt that the time had come when duty
required that they should be at the front, and so, fired by
their patriotic zeal, most of them at once joined other com-
mands and became regularly enlisted in the army. The
action of the Governor at this time in disbanding the com-
pany defeated the hope which the students had entertained
of going to the front in a body. In fact, the faculty of the



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 377

College, as well as the State officials, deemed it inexpedient
that they should do so, fearing that the ardor of youth would
prove rather a disadvantage, and preferred that the students
should go as individuals and be incorporated in commands
under older heads.

Upon the opening of the College in January, 1862, but few
of the students returned. Of this an interesting account will
be found in Dr. LaBorde's history of the College, on page 471.
The exercises of the College were continued, however, with
rather unsatisfactory results, through the months of January
and February and until the 8th of March, 1862, on which
day the College was closed for the year. (See LaBorde's
"History South Carolina College," pages 471, 472.)

It was the ambition of the students to go to the front In
an organized body, and it will be seen that three separate
attempts were made to accomplish this end. In these efforts
they were defeated by the more conservative views of the
faculty and trustees, who, in their desire to save and preserve
the College, thought it best that it should be otherwise. The
privilege of displaying their patriotic zeal in an organized
body was thus denied them, but history will show an equal
patriotism on the part of the individual student. Many gave
their lives as a sacrifice for the cause. Many rose to positions
of distinction. Many as privates in the rank served their
country with a self-sacrificing devotion and patriotic zeal
worthy of the cause for which they were willing to lay down
their lives.



LETTER OF PROFESSOR R. W. BARNWELL IN THE
SOUTHERN GUARDIAN OF MAY 4, 1861.

" 'Mr. Editor : The question has been frequently asked me
in the streets of Charleston, "How are the College boys con-
ducting themselves?" and I have always answered, "Like sol-
diers and gentlemen." Of course this was no more than was
expected of a corps which Governor Pickens, in handing over
to General Beauregard, characterized as the "pride and
flower of the State." The camp at Sullivan's Island, the



378 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

headquarters in Meeting street, and the city of Charleston are
loud in their praises. But it may be gratifying to the friends
of the College, and the parents and relatives of our young
men, to hear from one who is intimate with every event of
their camp life a succinct testimonial to their high and noble
bearing while on duty in Charleston harbor. From the time
we left Columbia until our return not a single incident,
however slight, has marred the campaign ; not a single trace
of ill feeling has been engendered between themselves or
with others; not a shade of dissatisfaction exists between
officers and men. Camp discipline has been strictly enforced
when necessary; privations were cheerfully undergone;
hardships readily met ; drill and guard duties promptly and
enthusiastically performed, and while the military ardor
was fanned to its highest flame, it was always tempered by
military propriety and order. And better than this, I can
unhesitatingly affirm, that although living with them on tne
most intimate terms, sharing with them their soldier bed and
fare, there has been nothing absolutely nothing which has
grated harshly on my ear or offended my most scrutinous
observation. Perfect sobriety and the intercourse and con-
versation of high, pure-minded men has characterized every
hour of their absence, and they return to their peaceful pur-
suits unsullied by a single vice of the camp, and adorned
with those manly virtues which ripen so speedily under arms.
"On their journey to Charleston they were acknowledged
by the officers of the road to have been the best demeaned
company that had passed down. Upon their return to
Charleston they were permitted to quarter themselves at will
at the expense of the State in the hotels of the city, where
their presence was confessed to be a source of pleasure rather
than annoyance; and on their home trip to Columbia an
incident occurred which I am sure will ever be applicable
to the College Cadets. A passenger, who was about to enter
the cars, drew back when she saw it filled with soldiers, but
upon being told who they were, "Oh," said she, "they are the
College Cadets," and at once took her seat beside the gray
uniforms and bristling bayonets. And I must not omit to
mention that so soon as they were relieved from military



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 379

duty, notwithstanding the temptations to rush off and join
the various gallant corps organizing for active service, at
the suggestion and desire of their elders, they promptly and
cheerfully returned to their literary pursuits, to prepare
themselves between the clashing of arms for the intellectual
battle they must one day fight for their State to arm them-
selves with sword and pen, with the one to make their
country's history, and to record it with the other.

" 'As a professor, I have always been proud of my pupils,
but I must confess that I have never known how just was
this pride until I became their chaplain on Sullivan's
Island.' "



ALUMNI OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE WHO
DIED IN THE SERVICE OF THE CONFEDERACY.

Alston, Marion Kennan: (1832-1864), of Georgetown, left
in 1852 in junior class; lieutenant-colonel of First South
Carolina Volunteers; died at Jackson Hospital, Richmond,
June 19, 1864.

Ancrum, James K. Douglas: (1844-1864), of Camden, left
as a freshman in 1861 ; was a member of the Second Cavalry ;
he died at Green Pond, July 20, 1864.

Anderson, Edward MacKenzie: (1823-1862), of State-
burg, A. B. 1843; aide to Gen. R. H. Anderson; killed near
Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862.

Barnes, Dixon: (1816-1862), of Lancaster County, A. B.
1838; just received commission as general when he was
wounded at Sharpsburg and died September 27, 1862.

Barn well, Robert Woodward: (1831-1863), of Beaufort,
A. B. 1850; organized hospital aid association; died of
typhoid fever, June 23, 1863.

Baskin, John Gamble: (1819-1863), of Abbeville County,
A. B. 1842; enlisted in company from Abbeville; died from
wound at Richmond, April, 1863.

Bookter, Edwin Faust: (1837-1864), of Richland District,
left in 1858; colonel of Twelfth South Carolina regiment;
killed at Petersburg, September 30, 1864.



380 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

Bookter, Nathan: (1840-1864), of Richland District, left
in 1859 in sophomore class ; captain of Company D, Twelfth
South Carolina Infantry; killed near Petersburg, June 22,
1864.

Boozer, Baylis Earle: (1839-1861), of Lexington, left the
sophomore class in 1857; first lieutenant in Capt. W. D.
Harman's company, Twentieth South Carolina Volunteers;
killed February 16, 1861.

Bostick, Edward John: (1827-1865), of Beaufort District,

A. B. 1847; captain in Twenty-first South Carolina regi-
ment; killed at Five Forks, Va.

Boyce, Albert Kerr: (1842-1862), of Newberry, left in
1862 in senior class ; in Third regiment, McGowan's brigade ;
wounded at Games' Mill, died July 10, 1862.

Boyd, Charles Wesley: (1835-1863), of Walterboro, A. B.
1855; captain in the Fifth South Carolina regiment; killed
at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863.

Bratton, William Means: (1826-1862), of Winnsboro, A.

B. 1844; captain of an Alabama regiment at time of his
death.

Brearley, James William: (1842-1864), of Darlington, left
in 1862 in senior class ; killed at Deep Bottom, July 28, 1864.

Bryce, Robert Power : A. B. 1860, fell at Chickamauga.

Buchanan, William Creighton: A. B. 1852; adjutant of
Twelfth South Carolina Volunteers; killed near Second
Manassas.

Burnet, Burgh Smith: (1836-1865), of Charleston, A. B.
1855, captain in First South Carolina regular infantry;
died from wounds in the spring of 1865.

Butler, Edward George Washington: (1831-1861) of
Louisiana, left in 1850 in junior class ; lieutenant ; killed at
Belmont, Mo., November 7, 1861.

Butler, Edward Julian : of Edgefield, left in 1859 in senior
class; killed at Malvern Hill.

Butler, William London : of Edgefield, A. B. 1855 ; colonel
of a Louisiana regiment ; killed at Chickamauga.

Boyd, John Frederick: (1841-1862), of Laurens District,
left in 1861 in junior class ; first sergeant Company F, Four-



OF SOUTH CAROLINA 381

teenth South Carolina Volunteers; died near Richmond,
June, 1862.

Cheves, Langdon: (1813-1863), of Charleston, A. B. 1833;
captain of engineers ; killed on Morris Island, July 10, 1863.

Coit, George Erasmus: (1839-1863), of Cheraw, A. B.
1856 ; lieutenant in Garden's Battery ; killed at Suffolk, Va.,
May 6, 1863.

Coker, Charles Westfield: (1841-1862), of Society Hill,
left in 1862 in senior class; ordnance sergeant in Eighth
South Carolina Volunteers; killed at Malvern Hill, July 1,
1862.

Cothran, Samuel Gaines: (1835-1865), of Abbeville Dis-
trict, A. B. 1857; Sixth South Carolina Cavalry; killed at
Bentonville, N. C., March 19, 1865.

Crawford, Martin P. Hamister, A. B. 1845; died April,
1862, at a hospital in Richmond.

Culp, William Benjamin: of Alabama, A. B. 1854; died
shortly after the surrender of Vicksburg, July 1, 1863.

Cunningham, Joseph P.: (1834-1863), of Lancaster Dis-
trict, A. B. 1857, captain in the Second South Carolina regi-
ment; killed at Gettysburg.

Cureton, James Belton : of Camden, left in 1861 in sopho-
more year, member of Col. A. C. Haskell's regiment; killed
during Grant's approach to Richmond.

Cuthbert, George Barnwell, of Beaufort County, A. B.
1849, captain of Palmetto Guards ; killed at Fredericksburg.

Daniel, William Lowndes: (1833-1863), of Edgefield Dis-
trict, A. B. 1854, first lieutenant of Palmetto Guards ; killed
at Gettysburg.

Dennis, Edward Elliott: (1843-1861), of Bishopville, left
in 1861 in freshman class, joined Company D, Second South
Carolina regiment; died in hospital at Charlottesville, Va.,
December 30, 1861.

Denton, Richard Watson : of Laurens District, A. B. 1844,
in commissary department; died in 1862 from wounds
received at Kennesaw.

DeSaussure, Henry William: (1835-1862), of Camden, A.
B. 1855 ; killed in the Seven Days' Fight around Richmond,



382 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

June 30, 1862, while acting as major of the Sixth South
Carolina Volunteers.

DeTreville, Robert: (1833-1865), of Beaufort, A. B. 1853;
lieutenant-colonel of First South Carolina Infantry; killed