seems a strange coincidence in the rise of these two men, who entered the service together—­each took different arms, but rose in parallel grades to the highest position in the division.  Major Peck was seldom absent from duty, and a complaint against him was never heard.  He was a bold, gallant officer, and when in the discharge of his duties he laid aside every other consideration.  Major Peck had a very striking appearance, tall, erect, and dignified, and upon horseback he was a perfect cavalier.  It might be truly said he was one of the handsomest men in the army.  His commanding appearance attracted attention wherever he went, and he was often taken for a general officer.  For cordiality, generosity, and unselfishness he was almost without a rival.  It required no effort on his part to display the elegance of his character—­his gentlemanly qualities and deportment were as natural to him as it is for the “sparks to fly upward.”  He was born in Columbia April 4th, 1833, and died there April 25th, 1870.

The mere fact of Captain G.W.  Shell being appointed to such a responsible position as Quartermaster by so strict a disciplinarian as Colonel Nance is a sufficient guarantee of his qualifications.  Captain Shell entered the army as a private in the “State Guards,” from Laurens, served one year as such, then as Regimental Quartermaster with rank of Captain for a part of two years.  Then that office in the army was abolished and put in charge of a non-commissioned officer.  Appreciating his great services while serving his regiment, the officials were loath to dispense with his services, and gave him a position in the brigade department and then in the division as assistant to Major Peck, retaining his rank.  All that has been said of Major Peck can be truly said of Captain Shell.  He was an exceptional executive officer, kind and courteous to those under his orders, obedient and respectful to his superiors.  He was ever vigilant and watchful of the wants of the troops, and while in the abandoned sections of Virginia, as well as in Maryland and Pennsylvania, he displayed the greatest activity in gathering supplies for the soldiers.  He was universally loved and admired.  He was of the same age of Captain Peck, born and reared in Laurens County, where he returned after the close of the war and still resides, enjoying all the comforts emanating from a well spent life.  For several terms he filled the office of Clerk of the Court of his native county, and served two terms in the United States Congress.  He was the leading spirit in the great reform movement that overspread the State several years ago, in which Ben Tillman was made Governor, and South Carolina’s brightest light, both political and military, General Wade Hampton, was retired to private life.

* * * * *

COLONEL D. WYATT AIKEN, OF THE SEVENTH.

As Colonel Aiken saw but little more service with the First Brigade, I will here give a short sketch of his life.  I have made it a rule in this work, as far as practicable, to give a sketch at the end of the officer’s service in the Brigade, but in this case I make an exception.