D.R.  Jones, in the corps commanded by Longstreet.  When Lee began his march northward they broke camp on the 13th of August, and followed the lead of Longstreet to Gordonsville, and from thence on to Maryland.  They were on the field during the bloody battle of Second Manassas, but not actually engaged, being held in the reserve line on the extreme right.  At South Mountain they received their first baptism of fire in a battle with infantry.  On the memorable 17th of September at Sharpsburg they were confirmed as veteran soldiers in an additional baptism of blood.  However, as yet considered raw and undisciplined troops, they conducted themselves on each of these trying occasions like trained soldiers.  Colonel DeSaussure was one of the most gallant and efficient officers that South Carolina ever produced.  He was a Mexican War veteran and a born soldier.  His attainments were such as fitted him for much higher position in the service than he had yet acquired.  Had not the fortunes of war laid him low not many miles distant one year later, he would have shown, no doubt, as one of the brightest stars in the constellation of great Generals that South Carolina ever produced.  After the return to Virginia Drayton’s Brigade was broken up, and the Fifteenth and Third Battalion were assigned to the brigade of General J.B.  Kershaw, and began its service in that organization on the heights of Fredericksburg.

* * * * *

THE THIRD BATTALION.

I am indebted to Colonel W.G.  Rice for a brief sketch of the Third
Battalion, or as it was more generally known in the army, “James’
Battalion,” after its first commander, (who fell at South Mountain,
Md.,) up to the time of joining the brigade: 

“On the fall of Hilton Head and the occupation of Port Royal by the enemy, the Governor of South Carolina issued a call for volunteers for State service.  Among the companies offering their services were four from Laurens County.  Lieutenant Geo. S. James having resigned from the United States Army, and being personally known to several of the officers of said four companies, they united in forming a battalion and electing him Major.  The companies became known thereafter as: 

   “Company A—­Captain W.G.  Rice. 
    Company B—­Captain J.G.  Williams. 
    Company C—­Captain J.M.  Shumate. 
    Company D—­Captain G.M.  Gunnels.

“All of Laurens County, the organization being effected at Camp Hampton, near Columbia, November, 1861, and where Major James assumed command.  In December the battalion was ordered to Charleston, and from thence to White Point, near the coast.  Here the battalion was strengthened by three more companies, making it now a compound battalion and entitled to a Lieutenant Colonel and Major.  The additional companies were: 

   “Company E, from Laurens—­Captain M.M.  Hunter. 
    Company F, from Richland—­Captain D.B.  Miller. 
    Company G, from Fairfield—­Captain A.P.  Irby.