Anderson Intelligencer
May 26, 1914
Page 44
SOME
WHO SERVED
Anderson
Soldiers, Some of Whom Have Passed Away – Part 1
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B.
F. CRAYTON—One of the men of Anderson of saluted
memory. He was a
leader in social, commercial,
educational and religious activity. He
closed out his business and joined Orr’s Rifles. Was appointed Regimental Quartermaster. Later was detailed by Prest. Davis to take
charge of the governmental depository and the mint here. He served in the legislature all through the
land and in the State beginning 187_.
DR. K. W. SHARPE
of Pendleton is one of 14 children and one of seven
brothers in the war. All survived and all but one received wounds
in the war. One of the brothers was
Colonel J. J. A. Sharpe of the 23rd Georgia Infantry. Dr. Sharpe was in the war the last few months
as a boy of 17 doing defense duty on the coast.
He is one of Anderson County’s staunchest citizens.
JOHN
C. HARRIS—Toward the close of the war went into service with the boys of
17. He was in a company commanded by
Capt. Doran Kay. Mr. Harris after the
war managed the farms of Thos. G. Clemson and was one of the pioneers of this
state in what is now intelligent farming.
NATHAN
O. FARMER of Townville was a member of Company D, Hampton Legion, came out a
lieutenant. One of his war experiences
was being captured by some of Sheridan’s cavalry dressed as Confederate.
JOHN
T. GRANT of Townville, was in Company K of the fourth regiment and helped carry
Gen. Kirby Smith from the battlefield when that distinguished soldier was
wounded.
WILLIAM
L. DOBBINS—Was a member of Co. D, Second Rifles, having volunteered as a
recruit in 1864 and serving until the surrender. He is one of the staunch men of the county.
JOHN
J. SHIRELY—of Honea Path was lieutenant in Co. E in Keitt’s regiment, the 20th
and was practically in command of the company most of the time. He was disabled in 1863.
J.
C. STRIBLING—The well known Pendleton planter and splendid citizen entered the
war at the outset at the age of 16, in Col. Miles Norton’s company of the First
Regiment (Orr’s). Later he was in
Trenholm’s Squadron. He had the unique
distinction of having served in infantry and cavalry and artillery. He is yet active and a progressive citizen.
E.
H. SHANKLIN—of Pendleton, was a member of Goodlett’s regiment, the 22nd,
and transferred to the Seventh Cavalry under Col. A. C. Haskell. He refused promotions, but he frequently was
selected for work that required brains, daring and coolness. He spent the remainder of life trying to
improve agricultural conditions.
GEO.
W. SULLIVAN—of Williamston was one of the cadets. He entered the service with the several
cadets and saw but little service.
However, he was prominent in the near trouble of 1876.
DR.
P. H. E. SLOAN—of Pendleton, for many years treasurer of Clemson college,
graduated in medicine in 1859 and served throughout the war as a regular. His reminiscences would be interesting
reading.
COL.
R. E. BOWEN—of Pickens, married a daughter of Dr. James Oliver of Anderson,
went into the service as lieutenant of Company E, Second Rifles and came out as
Colonel. T. H. Beggs, who was captain of
Co. E, became a lieutenant-colonel, and died of disease. The first colonel of this regiment, John V.
Moore, enlisted as a private in Orr’s regiment and was killed in the second
Battle of Manassas. Col. Thomas Thompson
of Abbeville, succeeded him. Colonel
Thompson was detailed for special duty and the lieutenant colonel R. A.
Thompson of Walhalla had resigned and this made Bowen the colonel of the
regiment which did gallant work. D. L.
Cox of Anderson was the major of the regiment.
S.
B. L. CRADDICK—served in Company B, Second South Carolina Cavalry, with Mickle,
captain and Butler, general. While Mr.
Craddick’s duties were hardly two years, he believes that the two last years
were the two worst. Mr. Craddick says
that the separation from his brother who was in a different regiment was the
saddest trial he endured during the war; he was much younger and he hoped to be
with him and help him if he needed it-but affections mattered little in war.
J.
D. McDONALD of Iva-- Began service with the First Georgia Reserves. Was most time at Andersonville, guarding
prisoners. Confined in this prison were
43,000 Yankees. At one time the Yankees
came near raiding the prison and it required an effort to drive them back. Just before the surrender they were taken to
Lake City, Florida, where they were paroled.
Mr. McDonald’s experience with these soldiers was an interesting
one. Capt. Wertz was in command- a rigid
officer. He heard the Yankees say they
would kill him when they regained freedom which they did. Wertz was from Switzerland. He was tried by the United States and hanged,
an official murder.
C.
N. BRYSON, of Iva-- Entered service in Co. H, Griffin’s Regiment, Capt. Bramles
in command. Mr. Bryson was wounded twice
but lost only six weeks from service, as good a soldier as ever carried a
gun. Mr. Bryson like most of the old
heroes thinks his life was spared for a good purpose and he has tried to carry
out this purpose. He is a good man,
lives by the sweat of the brow and all who know him know and reverence him.
J.
B. HAMPTON, of Iva--Began service with Co. I, 14th Regiment,
McGowan’s brigade. Remained in this
company till end of war. Col. J. Newton
Brown was in command . Was at Appomattox
when surrendered. Was paroled and
started for home. His home coming was
one of severe trial. He with all the veterans agree that hardships increased as
war continued. Mr. Hampton believes Petersburg
the worst battle in which he fought.
Says there were more killed and wounded in this battle, but says the
battles of Spotsylvania and that of the Wilderness are struggles never to be
forgotten by those who witnessed them.
[Transcribed
by Sharon Strout]
