General Bonham had not gotten all of his regiments together up to this time.  The Second, Seventh, and Eighth were around Charleston, while the Third was at Lightwood Knot Spring, four miles from Columbia.  This camp was called “Camp Williams,” in honor of their Colonel.  That in Columbia was called “Camp Ruffin,” in honor of General Ruffin.  It was customary to give all the different camps a name during the first year’s service, generally in honor of some favorite officer or statesman.  Colonel Gregg’s regiment remained on Morris Island until early in May, when it was sent to Norfolk, Va., to take charge of the large amount of government property there, now very valuable to the South.

At the reorganization of the First Regiment I came to Columbia and joined the company I had before enlisted in.  I had two older brothers there, and I was given a place as Second Sergeant in the company.

At the secession of South Carolina, Colonel Williams was in Arkansas, where he had large estates, but on being notified of his election, he joined his regiment while at Lightwood Knot Springs.  He was met at the railroad by his troops with great demonstrations of joy and pride.  Stalwart men hoisted him upon their shoulders and carried him through the camp, followed by a throng of shouting and delighted soldiers.  The regiment had been commanded up to that time by Lieutenant Colonel Foster, of Spartanburg, with James M. Baxter as Major, D.R.  Rutherford as Adjutant, Dr. D.E.  Ewart Surgeon, John McGowan Quartermaster.

Cadets were sent from the Citadel as drill masters to all the regiments, and for six hours daily the ears were greeted with “hep-hep” to designate the “left” foot “down” while on the drill.  It took great patience, determination, and toil to bring the men under military discipline.  Fresh from the fields, shops, and schools they had been accustomed to the freedom of home life, and with all their patriotism, it took time to break into the harness of military restraint and discipline these lovers of personal freedom.  Many amusing incidents occurred while breaking these “wild colts,” but all took it good humoredly, and the best of feelings existed between officers and men.  Some few, however, were nettled by the restraint and forced obedience to those whom they had heretofore been accustomed to look upon as equals, but now suddenly made superiors.  The great majority entered upon the duties of camp life with rare good will.  All were waiting patiently the call to Virginia.  Here I will give a short description of the regiments and their officers up to the time that all were brought together as a brigade.  After that time we will treat them as a whole.