The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-05-27
COMPANY K. 23D s. c. v.
BY J. GEIER WHITE.

and elected thelr OmcerS. lnlS "aS eaIiS
in the fall of 1861.
Captain, Thomas D. Frierson.
1st lieutenant, L. ?. Lorlng.
End lieutenant, Frank Kennedy.
Srd lieutenant, D. R. McCallum.
The non-commissioned officers were not
chosen until the company was mustered in
to service in November 1861.
1st sergesnt, Miller LaCoste.
End sergeant, Horatio n. Browne.
Srd sergeant, J. Grier White.
4th sergeant, Priestly Colclough.
5th sergeant, Moultrie Wilson.
1st corporal, James Norton.
2nd corporal, Samuel Dinkins.
9rd corporal, LeGrande Joye.
4th corporal, Robert Copeland.
In rank and file the company numbered
over one hundred men.
The company was eager to get into service.
The prevailing idea of the time was that
the war would shortly end and that increas-
ed the anxiety lest they (the members of
Company ~ would not be numbered
among the defenders of South Carolina.
Application was made at once to secure a
position in the command of Col. Hatch
whose troops were for coast defense. Sew
eral other companies had applied for ad-
mission into his command and the Sumter
company completed the regiment. On the
18th November, 1861, Co. K took the train
at Sumter for Florence. The next day the
North Eastern train carried it to Charleston.
Thence the company went to Mt. Pleasant,
Christ Church Parish, and encamped at
Hamlin's farm.
While there the company had DO duty as
signed it save posting nightly guard on
the sound and patroling its own quarters.
Some efforts were made at drilling. This
position was occupied but short time be-
fore the quarters were changed. The COM
pany was moved near Christ church seven
miles from Mt Pleasant. The duty of
picketing Long Island was given to Com
pany B [Capt Whilden) and Company h.
A weekly detail was made from Company
Z to go on this duty. The object was to
prevent the enemy from landing troops
thereon by barges and thus gain position
land in the rear. Both Companies B and
ued the same duty Company K was with
drawn to the main land in Christ Church
Parish, leaving Company B to perform the
picket duty. Company X had splended
time there playing soldier Fish and oys-
tiers were plentiful and cheap. The
Charleston market was accessible almost
daily, and we were near enough to our
homes to get frequently the most pal
atable tokens from our loved ones there.
Some had even chickens cooped.
The commissary department furnished
ample and good supplies. In short we had
little to do but to eat and gnaw fat. The
boys in the company (for we had boys
among us) were full of fun and disposed
to rusticate. The squirrels being abundant
and the boys under the leadership Of Hen
ry Anderson, daily went hunting for them
with only sticks in their hands as weapons.
BY barking like dogs the squirrels were
soon treed, whence they were ousted. Not
unfrequently did the boys bring into camp
less than six squirrels, the result of a morn
ing's hunt Wild turkeys were near and
several were secured, and when cooked
were keenly enjoyed.
Our camp being near the church-an an
cient Episcopal ediice-some Of us attend
ed service there occasionally. Having
moved our camp about two miles to a more
desirable spot we guarded some stores kept
near the church for the maintenance Of Ia
borers on line of breastworks that were
being built across the Parish. Ono morn
ing the men were telling a joke on Thos.
Ferry. Ferry being on guard, the corporal
with the relief neared the post. Ferry cried
out, s'Who comes there?" Corporal replied,
Corporal with the relief" "Well, come
along, Corporal, come along" says Ferry.
Ferry however, always protested that it was
coined for the occasion. We had several
good fddlers and often had the benefit of
their music. I do not recollect the date,
but one evening just after nightfall nota-
bic fire was seen in the direction Of Charles
ton. 1t rapidly increased in brightness.
It became so light that, although we were
twelve miles distant, found that could
read the Charleston Mercury. The raw
ages of that fire were immense and ruins yet
mark its track in part. In April or May
1862 Co. K was sent to Morris Island,
whittier the regiment was ordered. That
was the first time the entire regiment had
ever been together. Our duty there Was to
guard light house inlet, and the whole
length of the sea-beach, keeping IN eye on
Folly Island. Our command had only en-
listed for State service. The regiment re-
organized by companies, each company
electing its several officers separately, then
Jointly 4 colonel-heutenan colonel and
major were chosen by them. Col. elect,
II. L. Benbow; lieutenant colonel, Roberts;
Major Whilden, of Co. B.