aged in planting in Newberry County. He was three times elected
Auditor of the county. He was a leading spirit among the Democrats
during the days of reconstruction, and lent all energies and talents
to the great upheaval in politics in 1876 that brought about the
overflow of the negro party and gave the government to the whites of
the State. He died about 1884, leaving a widow and several children.
* * * * *
COLONEL WILLIAM WALLACE.
Colonel William Wallace, of the Second South Carolina Regiment,
was undoubtedly the Murat of the Old First Brigade. His soldierly
qualities, his dashing courage, and the prestige that surrounds his
name as a commander, especially upon the skirmish line, forcibly
recalls that impetuous prince, the Roland of Napoleon's Army. Upon the
battle line he was brave almost to rashness, and never seemed to be
more in his element or at ease than amidst the booming cannon, the
roar of musketry, or the whirl of combat. Colonel Wallace was a
soldier born and a leader of men. He depended not so much upon tactics
or discipline, but more upon the cool, stern courage that was in
himself and his men.
His life as a soldier and civilian has been fortunate and brilliant,
in which glory and promotion followed hand in hand. A comrade gives a
few facts in his life.
Colonel William Wallace was born in Columbia, S.C., November 16th,
1824, and was graduated at the South Carolina College in 1844. He then
studied law under Chancellor James J. Caldwell. Was admitted to the
bar in 1846, and began the practice of law at Columbia, in which
he continued, with the exception of his military service, giving
attention also to his planting interests.
At the beginning of the Confederate War he held the rank of General
in the State Militia. At the call for troops, ordered out the
Twenty-third Regiment, State Troops, and was the first man of the
Regiment to volunteer. He was elected Captain of the "Columbia Grays,"
afterwards Company C of the Second South Carolina Volunteer Infantry,
Colonel Kershaw commanding. After the reduction of Fort Sumter, with
his company and three others of the Second, he volunteered for service
in Virginia, and about a month after their arrival in Virginia the
regiment was filled up with South Carolinians. He was promoted
to Major in 1863, to Lieutenant Colonel after the battle of the
Wilderness, and to Colonel after the battle of Bentonville.
He had the hono
|