The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-05

Charleston, which office he held at the beginning of the war. He was elected In 1860, from the ranks of the Wash ington Light Infantry. to Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Regiment Rifles. South Carolina Militia, Colonel J. J. Pettigrew, as Colonel His first ser vice was on Morris Island. which post he commanded during the firing on the star of the West" and until the arrival of Colonel Pettigrew.
 We quote the following from the History of South Carolina Military Academy" by John Peyre Thomas:
 "Un the night of December 3l, Lieutenant Colonel John L. Branch. of the Ist Regiment of Rifles. South Car olfna Militia, received orders to take three of his companies to Morris ls- land. On the afternoon of January l, 1881, he reached that point. Being the senior officer he assumed command of all the forces on the island and re- mained in command until the arrival, few weeks subsequent. of Colonel J. J. Pettigrew.
 Colonel Branch found Major Steph- ems and his command engaged in con- structing, what was, after the 9th or January, called the Star of the west Battery; 1t was from that point. and with the 24-pounders, manned by the CaQeIS, that the otdtCS ShhR star of the West" was driven off while attempting to relieve Fort Sum- ter. Thus 1t stands, for all that 1t implies, that the Citadel Cadets. under command of Colonel Branch, as com manding officer, and Major Stephens, as snmediately in charge of the guns, fired the first shot of the War of the Secession"
 When Colonel Pettigrew was made Brigadier General, Lieutenant Colonel Branch was elected to the Colonelcy of the regiment, which was in service at intervals until, by Act of Legisla- ture, all militia organizations were disbanded to make way for enlisted troops. Colonel Branch then volun- teered for the war offering his serv- ice as a private to General $. K. Glst' Adjutant and Inspector General of the State. But General Gist did not wish a man of Colonel Branch's marked ability and attainments to become a private, so awaited an opportunity TOT suitable advancement.
 In the interim, Charleston being menaced by formidable lombard ment, Col. Branch promptly reported to General Beauregaurd. then in com mand of the City, who sent him to improve the defensive capacity Of Fort Wagner, the site of the famous star of the West Battery" Here and else- where. on Morris Island and Cuning's Point Col. Branch rendered the need ed engineering service for which his education and experience so well fitt- ed him.
 His next service was for the Con- federate Ordinance Department at Augusta, Georgia. He was detailed to construct, under Government auspices, a paper and cotton mill on Horse Creek. He next became architect and engineer of the Kalmia Mills Com pany, now the Langley Mill. That work and the dam for power being the result of the detail of Col Branch After this, the war over. he moved to Alabama and made his home in Union | Springs. He was twice married, his first wife was a Miss Margaret s. Inglesby of Charleston. She only lived | few years. leaving him a young widower. with three sons, John, | Samuel, and Ben Evans. After the war he married an Alabama lady, Mrs | Annie G. de Launay, who with their | two children Annie L. and Edward c. l Branch. still survive him, also Samuel and Ben Evans. He was always an | enthusiastic veteran. being one of the first members of the Confederate Vet l erans of Union Springs, Alabama. and 1 an honorary member of the Ladies Memorial Association Of that place | Ills photograph and a sketch of his life now lie in the corner stone of the Confederate Monument in Union Springs.
 He was a noble, kindly nature which drew about him the love and respect of many. An elegant. polished gentle man, he was formost in every good word and work; his influence was for good His marked uprightness of character and purity of life are beautiful example to his children. who look with much pride on his record. Ills health was feeble for several years previous to his death. He died January 18th. 1894.
 Mrs Albert Taylor
 It is a remarkable coincidence that the room upstairs at the s. E. corner of Dexter Ave. and Court Square, whence the order was telegraphed to Charleston to fire on Fort Sumter, Is now occupied by Mir. Ed. Branch. son of Col Jno. L. Branch. as business