Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1878-07-25
COL. THOMAS GLASGoGk BACON,
Written by Gov. NJ. l.. Bonham
OF EDGEFTELD.

/ uAC, 4o1-t til2 biSNt pV LAG
ton "Pine Ponds" on the C. G. & A.
R. R., September the 25th, 1876. He
was the third son of Major Edmund
Bacon, an eloquent and distinguished
member of the Edgefeld bar-a ge-
NAL and accomplished gentleman Of
the old school, who was cut off too
early in life to reach that full fame
which nature had fitted him to at
tain, and was named after his unc.e,
Brigadier General Thola$s Glascock,-
of Georgia, distinguished officer Of
the Revolutionary War.
Col. Bacon received classical ed
ucation at the Pendleton Academy,
under Mr.. VIM. Henry McClintock,
and at the Edge6eld Academy, under
Professor Samuel NJ. Stafford, two OF
the best instructors and most accom-
plished scholars Of the day He was
fond of the classi:s, standing at all
times high in his classes, and had he
followed his studies through collie
giate course, would urquestionably
have carried off high honors there.
Though not large Of stature ne pos
sessed wiry, nervous, sinewy frame.
and was always a match for the best,
in all manly sports. His atiectionate
disposition toward his playmates and
his high sense OF justice ard fairness
made him favorite with all.
After reaching his majority, he
embarked in mercantile pursuits, but
liberal and indulgent to fault,
he was not fitted for success in that
line.
In May 1915 he was appointed by
Gov Means, Clerk Of the Court cf
General Sessions and Common Pleas
till an election should be held, and
at that election he received one G!
the largest lnajorit,es ever given in
the District. 20 this Office lie wac
elected for four successive terms.
sixteen years, and until he volnntari.
ly retired. The duties OF the ciIice
he performed not only well and sails
factorily, but with marlcd success
Many here will remember. with what
solemn and imposing effect lie ar,
raigned prisoners charged with the
crime Of murder, both for ths trial,
and when convicted. to receive. tire
tseu1rurr r-or-rHe- c6urr--sonet;riugI
which few successfully accomplish.
At different periods, he bore an
active part in the military service OF
the country. When quite young he
vent into the first Florida campaign
against the Seminole Indians, as
Sergeant in Capt. Jones Company Of
Blues, where he performed every
duty and met every danger Slth the
strictest fidelity and highest courage.
The writer.of this was his mess. mate,
slept under the same blanket with
him, and there gained full compre-
hension of the true worth Of our de-
parted fellow citizen, for there is no
place like camp, to learn human
character. Afterwards he command
ed, for time, the upper battalion Of
the Seventh Regiment of S. G. Mill
tia; but it was at a period of no mil
itary or political interest, and this
position he SOON relinquished.
On the breaking out of the war be-
tween the staies, he was elected in
the most complimentary manner, by
| the Seventh S. G. Volunteers-a band
of as patriotic and gallant soldiers as
ever drew sword or shouldered a
musket-as their regimental COM
mander. His regiment constituted a
part Of that fine brigade CT S. c.
Volunteers known in 81 as " Bon
hams Brigade" and afterwards so
so distinguished as Kershaw's Brig
ade." At the first battle Of Manas-
sas, his regiment was all the day un'
der the cannonading Of the enemy,
with a part OF Beauregard's army
coye,ing the passes Of Bull Run,
which led directly to the fortified
village of Manassas. Col. Bacon
himself occupied, most OF the day,
an exposed position in a high tree
overlooking The field, known after
wa. ds as Bacons tree, from which
by the aid Of a feld-glass he furnish
ed the commander OF his brigade
with useful information Of the enc
my's movements. Had the occasion
offered during his term OF service to
head charge upon The enemy's lines
no more gallant leader would have
been found in that army, composed
Of as brave and patriotic spirits as
ever defended a righteous cause. He
possessed the unbounded coatiden' e
and affection of his men, and had but
to express Tie desire in order to have
. retained his position. BUT after E
years service, on account o.. lalliHg
health at the reorganization o! the
regiment, he declined a reelection.
But Notwithstanding his state OF
, health, so devoted was he to the now
lost cause that in the fall Of '62 he ac-
cepted the command for three months,
! of the Seventh Regiment Of State
l