GENERAL JAMES CONNOR.

General James Connor, son of the late Henry Connor, was born in Charleston, S.C., 1st of September, 1829.  Graduated at the South Carolina College, 1849, same class with D. Wyatt Aiken, Theo G. Barker, C.H.  Simonton, and W.H.  Wallace (Judge).  Read law with J.L.  Pettigrew.  Admitted to the bar in 1852.  Practiced in Charleston.  Appointed United States District Attorney for South Carolina in 1856, Hon. A.G.  Magrath then District Judge.  As District Attorney, prosecuted Captain Carrie, of the “Wanderer,” who had brought a cargo of Africans to the State; also prosecuted T.J.  Mackey for participation in Walker’s filibustering expedition.  Always justified the expectations of his friends in their high opinion of his talents and marked ability in all contingencies.  Resigned as District Attorney in December, 1860.  Was on the committee with Judge Magrath and W.F.  Colcock, charged to urge the Legislature to call a convention of the people to consider the necessity of immediate Secession, and upon the passage of the Secession Ordinance, prepared for active service in the army.  But upon the formation of the Confederate States Government he was appointed Confederate States of America District Attorney for South Carolina, but declined.  Went into the service as Captain of the Montgomery Guards, and in May, 1861, was chosen Captain of the Washington Light Infantry, Hampton Legion.  In July, 1861, he became Major, and in June, 1863, was appointed Colonel of the Twenty-second North Carolina Volunteers.  Being disabled for field duty, temporarily, was detailed as one of the judges of the military court of the Second Army Corps.  With rank of Colonel, June, 1864, was commissioned Brigadier General, and by assignment commanded McGowan’s and Laws’ Brigades.  Subsequently, as Acting Major General, commanded McGowan’s, Laws’, and Bushrod Johnson’s Brigades.  On return of McGowan to duty, was assigned permanently to command of Kershaw’s Brigade.

He engaged in the following battles:  Fort Sumter, First Manassas, Yorktown, New Stone Point, West Point, Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Chancellorsville, Riddle’s Shop, Darby’s Farm, Fossil’s Mill, Petersburg, Jerusalem, Plank Road, Reams’ Station, Winchester, Port Republic, and Cedar Run.  Severely wounded in leg at Mechanicsville and again at Cedar Run, October 12th, 1864.  Leg amputated.

Returning to Charleston after the war, he resumed law practice with W.D.  Portier.  Was counsel for the South Carolina Railway.  In 1878 was Receiver of the Georgia and Carolina Railway.  Was candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1870.  Elected Attorney General in 1876, resigned in 1877.  Was at one time since the war M.W.G.M. of the Grand Lodge of Masons in this State.

One of the most distinguished looking and fearless officers of the Twentieth South Carolina Regiment was killed here, Captain John M. Kinard.  Captain Kinard was one of the finest line officers in the command—­a good disciplinarian and tactician, and a noblehearted, kind-hearted gentleman of the “Old School.”  He was rather of a taciturn bend, and a man of great modesty, but it took only a glimpse at the man to tell of what mould and mettle he was made.  I give a short sketch of his life.