Sumter District Confederate Soldiers

    The Claremont Rifles were a pre-war Militia Company and served near Charleston as one of the units with the 2nd South Carolina Militia Regiment in the events which led up to the fall of Fort Sumter. After that time they came home and in the month of July they were recruited as a company for active service, with the first enlistments coming at Old Edge Hill Academy at Stateburg.

    The company went into camp at Lightwood Knot Spring, on the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad near present day Blythewood, and on August 19, 1861, were mustered into Confederate service for a term of one year. The company was sent to Virginia and assigned as the seventh infantry company of the Hampton Legion, arriving at Bacon Race Church near Manassas on August 26, 1861.

     The entire Legion was reorganized in April 1862, and the men of the company reenlisted for the war. The company sustained heavy losses from both disease and casualties in battle, and was not able to recruit sufficient numbers from its original enlistment area of western Sumter District, part of Kershaw District, and eastern Darlington District, and after 1861 had a significant number of men added under the Conscript Act from various parts of the State.

    The Claremont Rifles, Company G of the Hampton Legion Infantry was converted to Mounted Infantry in April 1864In April 1864, when the company was mounted, a number of men form Captain Elias Venning's independent cavalry company were assigned to the Company. The remnant of the Company surrendered at Appomattox where the Legion was one of the units in Martin Gary's cavalry brigade.

As asterisk indicates that the man was an original member of the company when it was mustered in for Confederate service on August 19, 1861. The rank given is the highest rank achieved, normally the final rank held. The district is that in which the man lived at the time of enlistment, if known.

OFFICERS

Bracey, Thomas William* 1 LT Kershaw
Carson, Elisha Scott, Jr. * CAPT Sumter
Councill, William Bowers * CAPT (Transferred to 6 N.C. Cavalry Apr 1864) Sumter (moved N.C.postwar)
Exum, James J * 1 LT; KIA Sharpsburg 17 Sep 62; Sumter
McEachern, James A * 2 LT; Darlington
Moore, Ishah * CAPT; Sumter
Murray, John * 3 LT; Sumter
Spann, James G.* CAPT; Sumter and Lowndes County, Ala; later Aide de Camp to MGEN Richard H. Anderson then CAPT, AAG; killed Weldon Railroad 21 Aug 64
Spann, Ransom David * 1 LT; Sumter and Lowndes County, Ala; Aide de Camp to MGEN Richard H. Anderson, then CAPT AAG
Zimmerman, Daniel; 3 LT; Orangeburg; previously in A/1 S.C. (Hagood's), then 3 LT Capt Venning's Cavalry Co, N/20 S.C.

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Allen, Ezra Ellerby* CPL Sumter died at home 24 Oct 64 of wounds received Gaines Mill
Allison, Rufus M.; 4 CPL; York; previously in A/12 S.C.
Atkinson, William M. * 2 SGT; KIA Riddle's Shop 13 Jun 64; either Sumter or Darlington
Bailey, Joseph W.; 5 SGT; previously in A/13 S.C.; Laurens
Ballard, John Richardson * 1 SGT; Sumter
Brown, John F* 3 SGT; Sumter
Dunn, James H * 3 CPL; previously in CAPT Venning's Cavalry Co, O/20 S.C.
Eveleigh, William Richardson * 3 CPL; KIA Riddle's Shop 13 Jun 64; Darlington
Exum, Joseph W., Jr. * 4 CPL Sumter died of dysentery at home 8 Sep 62
Golding, John F; 3 CPL; previously in B/1 S.C. (McCreary's) Newberry
Langston, Robert W. * 1 CPL; Darlington
Morse, West W.; 1 CPL * transferred to I/1 S.C. (McCreary)
Owens, John Joseph * ; 5 CPL; Kershaw
Roberts, John DeBennai * 1 CPL; Sumter; later 1 LT Confederate Marine Corps; father Episcopal Priest at Church of Holy Cross
Russ, W. H. * 2 CPL; KIA Knoxville 1 Dec 63; Darlington
Sanders, Marion C. * 1 SGT; Sumter
Simmons, G. H.; 2 CPL; York
Spann, Henry Mabry * 2 CPL; Sumter
Spann, Thomas D. * 3 SGT; Sumter
Stephens; 3 CPL * Darlington; later joined CS Navy

PRIVATES

Allen, James J. L * .; Sumter
Anderson, James E.; Laurens; previously in I/1 S.C. (Gregg's)
Anderson, J. G.; Sumter or Darlington
Anderson, Joseph Henry; Sumter
Anderson, J. J.
Anderson, William Harrison; Sumter (St. Charles)
Atkinson, Anthony * ; died Charlottesville Va of typhoid 7 Dec 61
Atkinson, John S * .; died 9 Apr 65 Farmville, Va of wounds received at Farmville 7 Apr
Atkinson, Samuel * ; died Richmond of disease 25 Jun 62
Axon, James Madison; previously in CAPT Venning's Cav Co, ), O/20 S.C.; probably Orangeburg
Barker, Moses M.; previously in M/10 S.C.; transferred to B/1 S.C. (McCreary's); probably Horry
Bartlett, Richard S * .; Sumter
Baughman, Harmon Henry; previously in H/20 S.C.; then in Capt. Peterkin's Independent Cav Co, N/20 S.C.; Lexington
Baughman, Reuben G; same as H. H. Baughman
Belk, Henry A.; later in I/4 S.C. Reserves and 2 S.C. Militia; Lancaster
Belk;* Sumter; later in K/3 S.C. (Palmetto) Artillery BN; then in B/15 S.C. (Lucas') Heavy Art. BN; Sumter; son of Henry A. Belk
Bishop, Isaac C.; Spartanburg; previously in CAPT Venning Cav Co, (O/20 S.C.)
Blackwell, Michael J; Clarendon; previously in C/Hampton Legion Infantry; then in K/1 S.C. (Hagood's)
Bossard, John Joseph * ; later in I/4 S.C. Reserves; then B/ 5 S.C. Senior Reserve BN; then 20 S.C. Militia; Sumter
Bostick, Levi T.* Darlington; died of wounds received at Seven Pines at Richmond 6 Jul 62
Bowen, William Benton * died Bacon Race Church, Prince William County, Va of typhoid fever 16 Nov 61; Lexington
Bracey, James Harrison; Kershaw; previously in E/7 S.C. BN
Bracey, Joseph M.; Kershaw
Brown, George Washington; Sumter
Brown, Hugh Manley * died Chimborazo Hosp of pneumonia 24 Apr 62; Darlington
Brown, Richard Sebastian * Sumter; later in K/7 S.C. CAV
Buckhalter, J. W.; probably Barnwell
Bunch, Joseph Victor; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind.Cav Co, O/20 S.C.; Colleton Dist (now Dorchester)
Calder, Peter; Marion; previously in 2 S.C. Reserves; transferred to H/23 S.C.
Cannady, Solomon R.; previously in G/5 S.C. CAV
Cape, William David; Beaufort Dist (Hampton County area)
Carson, J. J.
Cauthen, Philip Thorn; Lancaster; later in 5 S.C. Reserves
Clark, W. R.; previously in 23 S.C.; then CAPT Sparks' Cav Co (L/20 S.C.); then in CAPT Peterkin's Cav Co (N/20 S.C.); Marlboro
Coats, Samuel C. * Kershaw; died 23 Sep 62 of wounds received at Sharpsburg; Kershaw
Davidson, Noah; previously in A/20 S.C; Greenville ?
Davis, Elias L.; died of unspecified cases at Griffin, Ga.15 Oct 63; Sumter
Davis, Joel ("Joe"); d. Charlottesville, Va of typhoid fever 5 Jan 62; Sumter or Darlington
Dease, J. L.; died at home of disease 1 Sep 62; Sumter or Darlington
Dennis, James Hawkins; Newberry; previously in F/20 S.C.
Dennis, John S. * Darlington
Denson, Thomas Jefferson; Laurens
Dorrity, J. W.* Darlington
Dutton, Benjamin Z.; previously in A/15 S.C. (Lucas') Heavy Artillery BN; later in E/2 S.C.; Kershaw
Easley, Ansley; Kershaw
Elliott, Thomas; Charleston
Ellis, Evander Paschal; Marion; previously in H/23 S.C.
Evans, James Hamilton; Marion
Eveleigh, Henry * died Chimborazo Hospital of pneumonia 8 May 62; Darlington
Eveleigh, James Elias* d. at home after June 1863, of wounds received at 2 Manassas 30 Aug 62; Darlington
Finklea, Sam R.; Marion; previously H/23 S.C
Fitzgerald, David * Lexington; father of Robert Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald, Robert * trans to H/23 S.C.; then to I/1 S.C. (Hagood's); Lexington
Galloway, John W. * died Richmond of typhoid fever 22 Apr 62; Darlington
Gary, James A. * died as POW at Newport News, Va. 28 May 65; probably Newberry
Gerald, William H.; previously B/10 S.C.; transferred back to B/10 S.C.; died 1864; Horry
Gowdy, Benjamin Lawrence * later in E/3 S.C. (Palmetto) Artillery BN; Darlington
Graham, P. J.; Williamsburg
Graham, S. F.; Horry
Graham, Thomas; Horry
Grant, James B.; Chester
Green, Robert Russell * Darlington
Grimsley, James R.; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav Co, O/20 S.C.; Marion Dist (Florence Section)
Hardy, J. B.; died Richmond of chronic diarrhea 3 Dec 64; Sumter
Hodge, Thomas J.; previously in D/4 S.C. CAV, then CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav Co (O/20 S.C); Darlington
Holmes, A.
Howell, W. L.; resident North Carolina
Hucks, Jeremiah; previously A/10 S.C.; then E/26 S.C.; Horry
Jones, Edgar S * later in G/4 S.C. State Troops; Sumter
Jones, George * died Charlottesville Va of pneumonia, complication of typhoid fever 8 Jan 62; Sumter
Jones, James A.; Marion
Jones, William Y.; Laurens
Kelley, Henry; previously in D/2 S.C.; drowned in North Anna River, Va. while "bathing" 12 Aug 62 on 10 days after joining the company; probably Darlington
Kitchens, Charles E.; Chester
Knight, Samuel; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav Co (O/20 S.C.)
Lambert, John C; Marion
Lawhon, Joseph W. * died Bacon Race Church, Prince William County, Va. 29 Nov 61; Darlington
Lawhon, Thomas L. * died of disease (probably tubercu losis) at home Oct 62; Darlington
Lee, Joseph S.; Marion (Dillon Section)
Lenoir, Richard M. * Sumter
Leopold, John J.; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav Co (O/20 S.C.); Christ Church Parish, Charleston Dist
Long, George W. H.; previously in D/1 S.C. Rifles; Anderson
McDaniel, M.
McDonald, Daniel A.; Darlington (near Bethune)
McElwee, John Newman; previously in A/12 S.C.; York
McGee, Jacob E.* d. Charlottesville, Va of pneumonia 3 Jun 62
McGee, J. B. * later in E/3 S.C. (Palmetto) Light ART BN; then in B/18 S.C. Heavy ART BN (Manigault's S. C. Siege Train)
McGee, Pleasant A. W. * later in C/3 S.C. (Palmetto) Light Art BN; then in Culpepper's Battery; Darlington
Mackey, Littleton Perry; Lancaster
Marshall, Elijah * Sumter (near Ashland)
Martin, Christian Bookter
Maull, Charles Mason; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav. Co (O/20 S.C.); Charleston
Metts, George; Newberry
Mintz, Charles H.; previously in B/5 S.C.; York
Mitchum, James P.; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind Cav Co, O/20 S.C.; living near St. Stephen at enlistment
Mitchum, Samuel; see James P. Mitchum
Mitchum, Thomas B.; see James P. Mitchum
Moody, Edward Rutledge* died Ashland, Va of fever 17 Apr 62; Sumter
Moody, Ezra Allen * died Richmond of diarrhea 15 Dec 62; Sumter (brother of Ed. R. Moody
Moody, Miles Eugene * died at home of disease 24 Jan 63; Sumter; (brother of Ed. R. Moody)
Nettles, C. B.* Sumter or Darlington
Nipper, A.
Nipper, D. W.; previously in B/4 S.C. CAV; Chester ?
Norris, Alexander, Jr. * died Richmond of typhoid fever 1 May 62; Sumter
Norton, Ezekiel * died during war no date; Sumter
Nunnery, Ralph McFadden; Sumter; previously in A/17 S.C.; moved Chester postwar
Page, Daniel; previously H/23 S.C.; Marion
Patrick, Durett E.; Orangeburg (Branchville)
Patterson, D. R.* Darlington
Pitts, Joseph; previously in B/3 S.C.; Newberry
Pool, Felix * trans to A/20 S.C.; Lexington
Porter, Daniel Allen; previously in D/20 S.C.; Orangeburg
Porter, Joseph A.; previously in D/20 S.C.; Orangeburg
Porter, William J. L.; previously in A/20 S.C.; Orangeburg (Daniel, Joseph, and William were brothers)
Reynolds, Elijah W.; Darlington
Reynolds, T.
Rhoad, James Daniel; Orangeburg (Branchville)
Rivers, R. S.; previously in CAPT Venning's Ind. Cav Co, /20 S.C.
Rose, William P.; previously in E/5 S.C. CAV; later in E/27 S.C.; Christ Church Parish, Charleston District
Sanders, Thomas Polk ("Tom Polk") * reenlisted in E/ Holcombe Legion Cavalry BN, which became H/7 S.C. CAV; Sumter
Sandifer, A. J.; Barnwell (Bamberg Section)
Sansbury, J. William * ; later in E/3 S.C. (Palmetto) ART BN; Williamsburg District
Sellers, Leven J.; Horry; volunteered in 1863, age 58
Sellers, Thomas B; Horry; son of Leven J. Sellers; trans to E/26 S.C.
Shaylor, James D. * Kershaw; KIA Sharpsburg 17 Sep 62; brother of John Oliver Shaylor
Shaylor, John Oliver; previously in E/9 S.C.; Kershaw
Shealy, George Washington; trans to K/1 S.C. (Hagood's) Lexington
Simmons, A. E. H.; Barnwell (Bamberg Section)
Sistrunk, Newton E. W.; previously in D/20 S.C.; Orangeburg
Smith, J. J.* died at home 12 Feb 63 (Probably of chronic diarrhea); Kershaw
Smith, Joseph F.; previously in F/23 S.C.; Marion
Snelling, William H.; Barnwell
Spann, William A.* later in D/2 S.C.; trans to A/Holcombe Legion Cav BN; which became I/7 S.C CAV; Sumter
Sparrow, Alonzo * ; Darlington
Spires, Michael A.; previously in H/20 S.C.; Lexington
Spires, William Andrew; previously in H/20 S.C.; Lexington; borther of Michael A. Spires
Streeter, E. F.
Sullivan, William J.* later in B/27 S.C.; died at Elmira as POW 4 Mar 65; Darlington
Taylor, Elias; Chesterfield
Thompson, William H.* KIA Seven Pines 31 May 62
Ussery; John C.; died of acute diarrhea at Howard's Grove Hospital, Richmond 28 Sep 63
Wallace, Henry B * later in G/6 S.C. Reserves; York
Walter, Alfred Bethea; previously CAPT, F/51 N.C.; then Private L/8 S.C.; trans to company 1864; living Robeson County, N.C. at time of enlistment; later lived Mullins
Welch, David D.* died Camp Wigfall, near Dumfries, Va. of pneumonia 22 Jan 62
Whitfield, G. V.; died in camp at Morristown, Tenn. Jan- Feb 1864, of wounds received at undetermined location; resident Pickens
Williams, Thomas J.
Williamson, Daniel R.; previously in D/20 S.C.; Lexington
Wilson, Herod * died of effects of wounds received at Sharpsburg in camp at Morristown, Tenn. Jan-Mar 1864
Windham, John H.; Sumter (Lynchburg)
Wright, Thomas * June; KIA Seven Pines 31 May 62; Sumter

ON MUSTER IN ROLL, BUT NOTATION on ROLL "CANCELLED"

Pool, J.

The following men of Company G--Claremont Rifles were present at the surrender at Appomatox:

Officers

McEacherno, J. H. 2nd Lieut.
Zimmerman, D. Jr. Lieut.
Bailey, J. W. Sergt.
Owens, J. J.
Langston, R. W. Corpl.
Golding, J. F.
Simmons, G. H.

Privates

Axon, M.
Anderson, J. J.
Anderson, J. G.
Ballard, J. R.
Dorothy, J. W.
Denins, J. H.
Cope, W. D.
Easely, A.
Fripper, D. W.
Grimsley, J. A.
Hodge, T. J.
Mitchum. J.
McDonald, D.
McKay, L. P.
Nipper, A.
Pitts, C.
Shayler, J. D.
Simmons, A. E. H.
Spires, G.
Lee, J. S.
Reynolds, T.

Source: The Appomattox Roster. R. A. Brock. The Southern Historical Society. 1887 - List provided by Cindy Parker

For more information on the Hampton Legion Claremont Rifles visit : http://www.forttejon.org/hampton/