The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22
Written for The Yorkville Enquirer.

James Alfred Hoyt was born October l1th.
1887, in Waynesboro, Virginia. His father, j.
Perkins Hoytwas native OF New Hampshire
and jeweler by trade, who had come south
met and married Miss Jane johnson, \ lady
of the Virginia family Of that name. Colonel
J. P. Hoyt was a highly cultured man, and
tor Il time was editor Of the Laurensville
during the absence Of his son in the army.
From Virginia, the Hoyt family moved TO
Clarksville, Georgia. where they lived for q
few years and thence went 10 Iaurens, 3. c.,
exigencies OF life compelled him TO seek sup.
port for himself, and when only IA years old
he entered the Office OF the Laurensville
Herald as an apprentice. and from that time
the exception of his army service. When he
was Is years old he went 10 Anderson anu
became foreman OF the Anderson Gazette.
In less than a year be was editor OF that pa
tor until August, 1sO0. when he began the
public ication OF the Anderson Intelligencer,
which has ever since been one OF the lead
ing weekly papers Of the state, except for a
James A. Hoyt and WV Hum mphreys-were
In 1850, Hoyt was q leading spirit in the or
ganizationof militia company In Anderson;
known sslfthe .Palmetto Rifemen," and
when the company, Volunteered the next year,
he was ttSTofderiy sergeant. The Palmetto
Rjf1emen entered the states service April IA,
1851, 1nIhe Fourth South Carolina regiment,
under Colonel j. b. E. Sloan, and in about elk
weekHswasfmnstered into the Confederate
service. ina regiment was at the front early
and fpartiefpated in the first battle at Man
assas. HoYt$was with the regiment in It's
memorable and heroic defense OF. the Stone
Bridge, and subsequently WAS In all the prin.
cjple battles OF the Army Of Northern Vir-
ginia, except Charlottesville and Getiys-
burg, In which bis command was not engag-
ed. ..:s.fy.e a.-' =.
At the reorganization In 1852 the company
became a part OF the Palmetto Sharp-shooters
under the gallant Jenkins. and after General
Jenkinss prSmGtion ths commander was Col
the second year OF this service, Hoyt was
promoted TO a lieutenantcy for, gallant and
itleritoEi0us conduct on the field" and alter
Sgstds sserysd as adjutsnt Of s,,i his regiment.
and na0reseriously at Frazler's Farm. Dur.
ingthtstime haAiso contracted severe case
ofsmatE came very near dying: In
1854. wht feturning from sick furiough to
extempor1zed expedition OF wounded and
convalescept soldiers sent out from Dansville
to check Wilson Federal calvary at Staun-
Ton river bridge, which was al an H., imp0rtanI
base OF supplies at Danville. The fight was
desperste one In which Hoyt shared the
responsibility OF command with Captain
Riddick and Colonel Coleman. Although the
Federals had vastly superior force, the small
and uprecognized band Of Coniederates de.
tended the bridge until General w. F. Lees
calvary came up.
EARLY in the fight, Hoyt was badly wound.
ed and disabled; but he refused to leave the
scene of action and remained in command OF
his detachment until the end. His coolness
under fire was exhibited by the fact that after
he was disabled, In pain and. bleeding, he
calmy smoked his pipe, which he now retains
as a memento OF the day, having long since
given up he habit Of smoking:;
the small bone being so badly shattered that
II was resected, three inches being taken out.
From this wound be still suffers almost con-
stantly, and his control OF the left foot being
I'm perfect, he now pses crutch. ,.
When the surrender came, Hoyt was IN
Anderson recuperating, and like 80 many
soldiers In bis situation at that time. be was
protfered numerous indignities by Sherman's
bummers and the Negro garrison which was
sent TO Anderson. ....,
AS soon as he was able to work, be resurrec-
ted The Intelligepcer and began the more
peacetufduties of life where they had been
interrupted. In January, 1885, he was mar, u,
Elijah Webb, who was one OF the most promf'
nent citizens and politicians :of Anderson
county. Colonel and Mrs. Hnyt have four
children.
The ten years following the war, found
Editor Hoyt still fighting for what be conceiv-
ed TO be the best Interests OF the state, and he
was very active In the Reconstruction era.
He ran 1or IN e STATE senate IN lou as Vlca-
rious sacrifice and was defeated by 200 votes.
He was member OF the convention that
nominated Carpenter and Butler but spoke
against Carpenters nomination, believing II
unwise. In 1871 and 1874 be WAS member Of
the Taxpayers conventions from Anderson,
and In 1874 he was member of the executive
committee of the convention and was dele
gate from that body to Washington, and
assisted In the preparation OF the famous
memorial 10 congress, !
In 1858 be stumped his county for Seymour
and Blair: in 1872 he supported Greeley,