Item No. 3097501

An interesting group of five letters from June and July 1862 in which officers of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry discuss entering a formal protest over the promotion of Captain John D. Twiggs of Company C to the rank of major, which they evidently felt had been done dishonestly. The 1st South Carolina, which had just been reorganized into a regiment from different battalions under the command of Colonel John Logan Black, at that time had companies spread along the coastline between Port Royal and Charleston.

In the first letter, dated June 8, 1862, Captain William A. Peden writes to Captain William A. Walker of Company D about having returned to camp to find Black, “our Col. lying on my bed with his legs elevated so as to accommodate his high minded feet.” He continues:

Capt. Twiggs has been here a good part of his time since you left, but I was unable to find out what he and the Col. had on their hands. The business has now been arranged and Twiggs has just returned from Richmond with a Major’s commission. Black received permission from the War Dept. to make up the tenth company by drawing from the nine, and he says he has the consent of all the Captains. I am afraid that (unless you get here or satisfy the company that you will soon come) some of the best men of our company will join in the new company. I understand that [Captain Moses T.] Owen gave way to Twiggs with the understanding that Owen is to be Major of the Regiment. I think Black is determined now not to offer Wilson the Adjutant position. There is great log rolling going on, and there is no telling how it will wind up.

In this letter, Peden also relates an incident of friendly fire where Confederate infantry shot into the 1st South Carolina Cavalry’s pickets who were retiring on the main line in haste:

I have got news of a sad affair that came off on Johns Island Saturday evening.You are aware that a fight has been expected on Johns Island for several days. On Saturday evening, Dunovant’s & Means’ Regts. were posted on the Road and Bob Crawford was sent out with 24 pickets to decoy the enemy into the trap. The Yankee Cavalry got after them and a part of the pickets came past Means’ Regt. and reported the enemy as being right on their heels, and consequently when the balance of the pickets came dashing up, the Regt. fired on them, killing Babb of [Captain Niles] Nesbit’s Company and mortally wounding Mahon & Cathcart of the same Co., and Watt Thomas of Owen’s Company. All have since died. There are 7 or 8 others wounded of the Cavalry, and three of Means’ men, among them Lt. W. Stevenson of Beatty’s Co., shot through the thigh. Of him I have got the above particulars. None of our Company were wounded. Crawford’s horse was shot dead. Wall & Wade & Jackson of Nesbit’s Company were behind the pickets that were fired on, and the enemy close behind them. They left their horses and took the thicket. Wall & Wade came up yesterday. Jackson’s hat & overcoat were found, but he has not turned up yet.

The second, third, and fourth letters were all written by Captain James D. Trezevant of Company E to Lieutenant John S. Wilson of Company D. In a June 23 letter he writes of the Twiggs promotion:

I saw Pemberton on Saturday and he told me Black had been to the City and had told him that he had been authorized by the War Department to hold an Election for Major, but that he, Pemberton, had not heard anything of it. I told him of the report about Twiggs being appointed and he replied that it should have come through him, and that he knew nothing of it, that as we had nine Companies, we could have two field Officers, that an Election could be held for Major, and that another Company could be assigned and we could elect a Colonel.

In a July 11 letter, Trezevant relates having discussed the matter with General Nathan Evans:

The Genl. said Twiggs had applied to him to be appointed Major of Sharp Shooters or a Partizan Corps, he does not recollect which, and that he had so recommended him, and that he was surprised when he was appointed Major in our Regiment. The Genl. says Owen has committed no impropriety in what he has done, except that he has not done enough…. That some of Regt. must write to him and tell him to draw up a regular protest and … demand a Court of Enquiry into the circumstances and as to his efficiency of being a Major, and that Nesbit must do the same, and that no time must be lost. Write to them both at once and send them a form of protest and tell them to forward the protests without delay to the Genl. He says that he will forward them. Black made but eight alterations in his changes, constituting conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

In a follow-up letter dated July 12, Trezevant further states that he wrote to Company B’s Captain Niles Nesbit “to forward his protest at once to Genl. Evans, who has promised to forward it and do all he can to clear up the mystery.”

In the last letter, dated July 24, Captain Moses T. Owen of Company A writes to Lieutenant Wilson with further comment on the Twiggs matter:

I do not object to your having shown the letter to the Gen., as he does not object to my not having send more through him. I cannot understand why I should protest more than others, when all are equally interested agreeably to the decision of the Sec. of War. From Capt. Trezevant’s letter, it appears that Capt. Twiggs must have been exceedingly anxious for the office when he could ask for recommendation for one thing, and at the same time be seeking another. I wrote to Lt. Lomax on this subject. He thinks I should submit to the appointment. But after the course taken by Capt. Twiggs, I differ with him. Still, as I do not intend seeking a field office, I do not feel disposed to send my protest alone. It is true that J. L. Black is our Col. I understand he says he is, and has papers to prove it.

The letters are all in very good condition, creased at the original folds and showing honest age. Four of the original postal covers are included, as shown. The full transcripts of the letters appear below.

Letter No. 1:

Adams Run S.C.
June 8th 1862

Capt. W. A. Walker

Dr Sir,
You would no doubt be surprised to learn that I (who pretend right smart of friendship towards you) have been at home on two weeks furlough and never called to see you. My excuse is that I found my horses all at the plough, and hard work ahead, and I thought I would put off visiting you until the day to start. So I went to the C.H. and intended to see you & come down on the night train, but the rain changed my plans altogether. I arrived at Head Quarters for dinner on Thursday. Found our Col. lying on my bed with his legs elevated so as to accommodate his high minded feet. He is still on the Court Martial and seldom goes out to the camp. He has got matters arranged now to suit him. Capt. Twiggs has been here a good part of his time since you left, but I was unable to find out what he and the Col. had on their hands. The business has now been arranged and Twiggs has just returned from Richmond with a Major’s commission. Black received permission from the War Dept. to make up the tenth company by drawing from the nine, and he says he has the consent of all the Captains. I am afraid that (unless you get here or satisfy the company that you will soon come) some of the best men of our company will join in the new company. I understand that Owens gave way to Twiggs with the understanding that Owens is to be Major of the Regiment. I think Black is determined now not to offer Wilson the Adjutant position. There is great log rolling going on, and there is no telling how it will wind up. Mayson was appointed Q. Master and wanted me to take the Commissary in charge until the Regt. would be complete, but I learned that he was expecting to take the Commissary Dept. himself as soon as the appointment could be made. I therefore declined having anything to do with it. I am now with Pagan, but would much prefer having the Commissary of the Regt. If Mayson becomes Commissary, I don’t know who will be appointed Q. Master.

Since writing the above, I have got news of a sad affair that came off on Johns Island Saturday evening. You are aware that a fight has been expected on Johns Island for several days. On Saturday evening, Dunovant’s & Means’ Regts. were posted on the Road and Bob Crawford was sent out with 24 pickets to decoy the enemy into the trap. The Yankee Cavalry got after them and a part of the pickets came past Means’ Regt. and reported the enemy as being right on their heels, and consequently when the balance of the pickets came dashing up, the Regt. fired on them, killing Babb of Nesbit’s Company and mortally wounding Mahon & Cathcart of the same Co., and Watt Thomas of Owen’s Company. All have since died. There are 7 or 8 others wounded of the Cavalry, and three of Means’ men, among them Lt. W. Stevenson of Beatty’s Co., shot through the thigh. Of him I have got the above particulars. None of our Company were wounded. Crawford’s horse was shot dead. Wall & Wade & Jackson of Nesbit’s Company were behind the pickets that were fired on, and the enemy close behind them. They left their horses and took the thicket. Wall & Wade came up yesterday. Jackson’s hat & overcoat were found, but he has not turned up yet.
Yours &c.
W. A. Peden

I understand that fifteen horses were killed or badly wounded. It is impossible to get two reports to agree. The dead & wounded were brought over last night.

Letter No. 2

Adams Run
June 23rd 1862

Dear Wilson
I have been intending to write to you for some time, but have been quite unwell. I saw Pemberton on Saturday and he told me Black had been to the City and had told him that he had been authorized by the War Department to hold an Election for Major, but that he, Pemberton, had not heard anything of it. I told him of the report about Twiggs being appointed and he replied that it should have come through him, and that he knew nothing of it, that as we had nine Companies, we could have two field Officers, that an Election could be held for Major, and that another Company could be assigned and we could elect a Colonel. Black was over there after Ann. Enclosed you will find a letter addressed to Black. Read it and if you think is well, do forward to him. If not, […] it and send it to me. I have not had a word from Walker yet. I wrote to him at once. I told Pemberton what I had written and he said he was glad of it.

I received a letter from Col. Preston, offering to put me into Aiken’s Partizan command, but as I would be the only Cavalry company in it, I declined. I do not like these mixed commands. The Cavalry do all the hardest work, are not half attended to, and get no credit. I have more Jean Coats than my men would take. I have about 20 left. If you want them, send for them and you can have them. They are sold out at seven dollars apiece. If you do not want them, I will turn them over to Warren. They are good coats.

I wish we could get a good Colonel and get all straight.
Yours Sincerely
James D. Trezevant

To Lieut. John S. Wilson
Co. D. 1st Batt. S.C.V.C.

Letter No. 3:

Adams Run July 11th 1862

Dear WIlson
I showed the letter of the Secretary of War to the Genl. The Genl. said Twiggs had applied to him to be appointed Major of Sharp Shooters or a Partizan Corps, he does not recollect which, and that he had so recommended him, and that he was surprised when he was appointed Major in our Regiment. The Genl. says Owen has committed no impropriety in what he has done, except that he has not done enough.

That some of Regt. must write to him and tell him to draw up a regular protest and […..] and demand a Court of Enquiry into the circumstances and as to his efficiency of being a Major, and that Nesbit must do the same, and that no time must be lost. Write to them both at once and send them a form of protest and tell them to forward the protests without delay to the Genl. He says that he will forward them. Black made but eight alterations in his changes, constituting conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

I have [……] the dates I can gather to Rice and you can get them from him.

You must all work in earnest, for we have a low tricky man […] to deal with.

The General said Black would have to approve the parties to go with the Flag of Truce.

I am afraid I shall not be able to get home. If I do not go, I shall come to see you in a day or two.

Remember me to all Friends and believe me always
Yours truly
James D. Trezevant

Letter No. 4:

Adams Run July 12th 1862

Dear Wilson
I wrote to Nesbit today to forward his protest at once to Genl. Evans, who has promised to forward it and do all he can to clear up the mystery.

I am very unwell today, though going about. I hope you are all doing better on the Island.

It is hot as ever here. I cannot send a man to you today as I promised, but will send to […] tomorrow and give the charges into the General’s hands.
Yours most truly
James D. Trezevant

Remember me to all Friends.

Letter No. 5:

Abbeville C. H., S.C.
July 24th 1862

Lt. J. S. Wilson

Dear Sir
I was late getting yours of the 17th inst. Hence the delay in my answer. I do not object to your having shown the letter to the Gen., as he does not object to my not having send more through him. I cannot understand why I should protest more than others, when all are equally interested agreeably to the decision of the Sec. of War. From Capt. Trezevant’s letter, it appears that Capt. Twiggs must have been exceedingly anxious for the office when he could ask for recommendation for one thing, and at the same time be seeking another. I wrote to Lt. Lomax on this subject. He thinks I should submit to the appointment. But after the course taken by Capt. Twiggs, I differ with him. Still, as I do not intend seeking a field office, I do not feel disposed to send my protest alone. It is true that J. L. Black is our Col. I understand he says he is, and has papers to prove it.

I hope Capt. Walker is in camp by this time. I will return as soon as I am able. My health is not so good as it was the first ten days after my arrival at home. I am sorry to hear you do not get corn for your horses. Lt. Lomax tells me the Devil is to pay in General, Black is in arrest, and so on.

I am sorry to hear Col. Means has left. Would he not have been of Service in this Court Martial case?

Do write to me on reception of this and let me know if Black’s old friends still stick to him.
Your Friend
M. T. Owen