utherford was spent on the plantation of
his father, in Newberry County. Here was laid the foundation of his
splendid physical nature, and his mind as well. While not beyond the
height of five feet and ten inches, and with not an ounce of spare
flesh, physically he was all bone and muscle, and was the embodiment
of manly beauty. His early training was secured in the Male Academies
of Greenville and Newberry. At the age of sixteen years he entered
the Citadel Academy in Charleston, S.C. It was at this school he first
exhibited the remarkable power arising from his ability to concentrate
every faculty of his mind to the accomplishment of a single purpose,
for, by reason of his fondness for out door sports and reading, he
had fallen in stand amongst the lowest members of a large class,
but, conceiving that some persons thought he could do no better, by a
determined effort to master all the branches of study in an incredible
space of time he was placed among the first ten members of his class.
Military discipline was too restrictive for him, hence he left the
Citadel Academy and entered the Sophomore Class of the South Carolina
College at Columbia, S.C. In a few months after entering this college
he was advanced from the Sophomore Class to that of the Junior.
However, he never took his degree, for owing to a so-called college
rebellion, he left college. Afterwards he regretted his step. Not
content with the advantages be had already enjoyed, he went to Germany
to complete his education, but the war between the States caused him
to return to America. He espoused with heart and soul the cause of
his native State. Before going to Germany he had been admitted to
the practice of the law. Chief Justice John Belton O'Neall expressed
himself as delighted with young Rutherford's examination for the bar,
and predicted for him a brilliant career as a lawyer.

He was made Adjutant of the Third South Carolina Regiment of Infantry,
and so thoroughly did he perform his duties as a soldier, and so
delighted were his comrades in arms with his courage and generous
nature, that he was elected, without opposition, on 16th of May,
1862, Major of his regiment, and on the 29th of June, 1862, he became
Lieutenant Colonel, and on the 6th of May, 1864, he was promoted
to the Colonelcy of his regiment. General James Connor was so much
delighted with him as an officer that he recommended him for promotion
to Brigadier General. When this gallant office