Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-08-09
AULD LANG SYNE
SOME PERSONAL RECOL-
LECTIONS Of INCIDENTS
AND MEN YEARS AGO.
BY AN OLD ST.AGER.

| d AN O1b o1'nVcfss
South Carolina was one of the
few states which prior to the Con-
federate war, had a system Of State
military requiring her entire white
male population between the ages
| of Is and 45, with certain exemp-
tions, to be enrolled and organ
lied into companies, battalions,
regiments, brigades and divisions.
There were two arms of service, in
fantry and cavalry. We do not
know anything of artillery organ
ization in the State, although there
may havy been an artillery COM
pany in Charleston. Well. these
militia companies were required to
meet for drill every three months
throughout the State. The bat
talon and regimental musters
were each held once year. Be-
sides we had general musters and
camp musters how often we do
not know remember. We had the
pleasure of attending one of these
camp muster occasions at Shin
burg in Edgefeld District during
the governorship of Means, if we
recollect aright, and the Governor
and his staff came around and re-
viewed the assembled militia of
Edgefeld District. 1t was g grand
occasion. The ladies, matrons,
and maidens graced the occasion
with their presence; for "brass
buttons "epaulettes," and mill
tary attire had that peculiar a.
traction for them then that they
have now. And how attractive
and inspiring were these military
parades to the boys of that day and
time.
And especially imposing were
the field officers whan mounted on
their beautifully caparisoned
steeds, arrayed themselves in their
attractive uniforms with silvery
epaulettes and. jingling, glittering
swords and cockade hats, or what
ever you may call them. And
some of these generals were of
commanding presence, for instance
M. L. Bonham, Sr., and John r.
Weaver; the one a major general,
the other a brigadier. Little did
we dream then that we would ever
experience real war and witness
some of it's hardships, cruelties
disappointments and desolations.
Lieutenantcies, captaincies, ma
jorships, coloncies, generalships
were much sought after then as
now as stepping stones to positions
of honor, trust, or profit. Exciting
contests were occasionally had for
these several positions, and stren-
uous efforts put forth by candi~I
dates and their frienads' for the
Qualifications their military am
.hiti5n.
AS we remember Edgefeld Dis.
trict had three militia regiments
known as 7th, 9th, and 10th regi-
ments, each of which was COM
posed of two battalions, designated
as Upper and Lower battalions OF
such regiments. The 9TH regi-
ment held it's regimentsl Iarades
at Old Wells and the Upper bat
talions at Pine House, the Lower
at Cherokee Pond. The only two
places of rendezvous for the 9th
we recollect are Shinhurg and
loves muster ground. In the 10th
we only recall Richardsonville
and Mt. Willing as places of mus
ter, There was another place of
course. Of this latter regiment
we call to mind as field officers,
Coils. John and VIM. Quattlebaum,
Wells Clary, Bryan Dean, Sam
Watson, Thos. L. Smith, and Ma
jors Wiley Holloway, - West,
A. D. Bates, and J. w. Alton. In
the 9th, Coils. B. M. and John H.
Talbert, Benz. Strom, and MAJORS
Wiley Zimmerman and VIM. F.
Prescott. In the 9TH, Coils. Lewis
T. Wigfall, Holmes, Lanham, d..
and T. 2. Shaw, and Majors W. l..
Coleman, Levi Lybrand are just
now remembered. There were
doubtless some others. There are
but four of the names mentioned
now living; all of the others have
passed over the river. They were
among the best citizens of our Old
district.
At these muster occasions, a
drum and fife furnished the music.