Colonel Todd was a good officer, gallant soldier, and loyal and kind to his men.  He was a man of brilliant attainments and one of the most gifted and fluent speakers in the brigade.

The writer regrets his inability to get a more enlarged sketch of this dashing officer, talented lawyer, and perfect gentleman.

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CAPTAIN JOHN K. NANCE.

Captain John K. Nance was one of the most jovial, fun-loving, light-hearted souls in the Third Regiment.  He was all sunshine, and this genial, buoyant disposition seemed to be always caught up and reflected by all who came about him.  He was truly a “lover of his fellow-men,” and was never so happy as when surrounded by jolly companions and spirits like his own.  He was a great lover of out-door sports, and no game or camp amusement was ever complete without this rollicksome, good-natured knight of the playground.

He was born in Laurens County, in 1839.  Graduated from Due West College and soon afterwards joined the “Quitman Rifles,” Company E, of the Third Regiment, then being organized by his kinsman, Colonel James D. Nance.  He was first Orderly Sergeant of the company, but was soon elected Lieutenant.  At the reorganization of his company, in 1862, he was elected First Lieutenant, and on James D. Nance being made Colonel of the Third, he was promoted to Captain.  Many times during the service he was called upon to command the regiment, and in the latter part of 1864 or the first of 1865 he was promoted to Major.

Captain John K. Nance was one of the best officers upon the drillground in the regiment, and had few equals as such in the brigade.  He was a splendid disciplinarian and tactician, and could boast of one of the finest companies in the service.  His company, as well as himself, was all that could be desired upon the battlefield.

In 1864 he married Miss Dolly, daughter of Dr. Thomas B. Rutherford, and sister of the lamented Colonel W.D.  Rutherford.  After the war he was engaged in planting in Newberry County.  He was three times elected Auditor of the county.  He was a leading spirit among the Democrats during the days of reconstruction, and lent all energies and talents to the great upheaval in politics in 1876 that brought about the overflow of the negro party and gave the government to the whites of the State.  He died about 1884, leaving a widow and several children.

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COLONEL WILLIAM WALLACE.

Colonel William Wallace, of the Second South Carolina Regiment, was undoubtedly the Murat of the Old First Brigade.  His soldierly qualities, his dashing courage, and the prestige that surrounds his name as a commander, especially upon the skirmish line, forcibly recalls that impetuous prince, the Roland of Napoleon’s Army.  Upon the battle line he was brave almost to rashness, and never seemed to be more in his element or at ease than amidst the booming cannon, the roar of musketry, or the whirl of combat.  Colonel Wallace was a soldier born and a leader of men.  He depended not so much upon tactics or discipline, but more upon the cool, stern courage that was in himself and his men.