The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-10-13
A. s. wILLEFoRD

A. S. WILLEFORD
SUMTER, S. C., Oct 8, 1897
NJ Dear Sir: Complying with your re-
recolec,ions Of my old frieod and comrade,
Stephen N. BoJkin.
BE was descended from that old Revolu-
tiopary family of Kershaw County who did
notable service uoder Gen. Sumter, partica-
la,ly against the tories iu the upper part of
the State from l7s0 to 's3. His father was
Stephen a. Boykiu, one OF the Oldest and
hest surveyors throughout this section of the
State, and who was engaged macy years in
locating the lioes, streams aud roads Of the
eastern counties for Mills Maps and Compila-
tiop Of the State.
Stephen III Boykin was bora, | think, in
the year 1917, 10 Sumter Coauty. near the
Kershaw line, and was named after his con-
nection by marriage, Gov. Stephen D. Miller.
In youth be had only the advantages of
country school education. In 1886 when
but little over 18 years of age, he answered
to the first call by the United States for
regiment Of mounted men from South Caro-
lima for the Florida wsr, and volunteered as
private in Capt. DuBose's Company of
Sumter County, and in it served through it's
period Of enlistment, having been promoted
corporal. have heard him say that be was
in several skirmishes With the lndiaps in the
Hammocks, bat never could see one of them
long enough to draw bead on him.
While farming was his home occupation
from early manhood-and his neighbors
speak of him as most systematic, practical
and succcssful farmer through life-he had
learned under the tutelage of his father, the
art of surveying and became most expert
woodscraftman and accurate craftsman. In
an acquain lance Of over half century with
surveyors 10 land cases in this and adjoining
coust ties, / have never known his superior
and few who were his equals Ia his profess
sion.
In the summer Of 1916 the Q. s. Govern
msnt called apon the State of South Caroti-
ma for regiment of infantry to serve for six
months N the war against Mexico. A full
company of 80 or 80 soon volunteered,
among the 6rst of whom wss Stephen N.
Boy Kin. In October the term was increased
TO one year, and balf of those enrolled with
drew ; again the roll was filed and the com-
panJ, commanaed by Capt. Frank Sumter,
marched to Charleston in November, and
there the term Of service was increased 20
ssduring the war;" aud there was another
falling away. But be did not finch nor falter,
and vas appointed corporal AT Lobos
Islaod in January, l847, be was promoted TO
sergeant aud 90 conti1ued through the seige
Of Vera Cruz and the skirmiehes on the ad-
vance 10 Pueola, where he was in June pro-
noted to orderly sergeant, and as such serv-
ed with great coclness and conspicuous gal
lantry through the battles of Contreras aud
Cherubusco, 10 which be was wounded, and
in the storning of Chapuitepec and tbe cap
,ure of the City of Mexico and was under
the Gag OF the regiment when it was planted
on the walls, September l3. is4l-,be first
American f4g unfurled within the city. On
the lst January, 1913, he was promoted I'd
lieutenant, and was discharged, with the
ramoant of the company, of about IS, at
Mobile, Sd July. ls4s.
His gallant conduct and thorough koowl-
edge OF his profession induced the Legislature
10 1882 to elect him Sn-yeyor General of the
State, and during & term of four years, he
ran~ rect6ed and marked the boundary lines
of several of the districts (oow counties) Of
the State.
Soon after the Ordinance of Secession was
adopted, a. The age of "A, he raised COM
psny ia Sumter County and rendered it to
the State for the civil war. His company
was accepted and joiaed the 20sh Regiment
commanded by Col. Cash. His regiment and
the 9,h Regiment we're not throwo together
in the field and therefore can give from per-
sonal knowledge little Of the details Of bis
services on the coast aud 10 Virginia. Such
details can only be found by going through
the record of ionumerable battles in which
The gallant Goth Regiment was engaged. 1t
is sufficient, however, to add that he was
promoted Msjor, then Lieut.. Colonel and then
Colonel Of The Regiment, and while under
the command cf GeGeral Kershaw was sur
rounded and after desperate hand-toh hand
6ght, two days before the surrender at Apo
mato1, be was severely wounded 5y saber cuts
10 surrender. He and bis comrades we're sent
TO the rear and kept as prisoners of war seve
lal months after all nostilities had ceased
He returned to his home in this county md
by patient toll ard accomplishing industry
upon his farm, inspired his fellow citizens to
accept the situstiop with cheerfulness, to
work 10 recuperate their lost fortunes and
siand by the State 10 her days of mourning
Let me add few words as to the chsrsc.
teristics Of ny old friend and conrade He
was quiet ands reserved in general company,
but opeo, frank ard commun icative to his
personal friepds He was firm and unyield-
ing when once his convictions were formed
but always gave credit 10 others for honesty
and sincerity and demanded the same credit
for himself. There was nothing little iu his
composition, and be despised even the appear
ance Of duplicity. He bad a full, warm heart,
and L!s band was ever open to charity. He
bad many warm friends and no enemies.
Very truly yours,