Samuel McBride Pringle

He was a divinity student at Furman beginning in 1859 but in early 1861 enlisted in Company D, 2nd South Carolina Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant, date not given, and was probably at Manassas in July. In early 1862 he enrolled in the Palmetto Light Artillery and was commissioned First Lieutenant.

He was mortally wounded in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862:

Lieut. Pringle, my brave and noble friend, was stricken down at his post, a cannon ball taking off his leg midway between the knee and the foot. I was standing near him, directing his firing and observing the effect of his shot. Three times, after being struck, he attempted to rise, but four of his men bore him from the field. During the battle each of my lieutenants had charge of a gun. Lieut Pringle behaved most nobly and served his gun most admirably, aiming with great accuracy wherever I directed and discharged shot and shell and canister immediately into the ranks of the enemy.

I saw him placed in the hospital that night where he received every attention. Dr. Wilson, two men, and Caeser were detailed for the purpose of remaining with him. All night I sought the chief surgeon of the Division and requested him to attend to my friend personally and do everything in his power for him.

He visited him as soon as he was brought in, and told me the moment the reaction took place the operation should be performed.

The necessary reaction did not take place that night or the next day and the doctor sent word that his case was hopeless.

... Lieut. Pringle was sent to Winchester 2 days ago [on 20 September] without having had his leg amputated. The doctor told me he did not possibly think he could survive the journey.

His service from the index to his Compiled Service Records via the Historical Data Systems database. Personal details from family genealogists. The quotes above are from a 22 September 1862 letter Captain Hugh Garden wrote his own mother, published in the Sumter Watchman and Southron of 12 May 1920. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture, from a photograph contributed by Ervin Shaw.

A collection of his wartime letters are online from Furman University. The last one is to his sister Mary and he wrote it on 9 September 1862 in Frederick, MD.

12/07/1839; Shaws Crossroads, Sumter County, SC

09/24/1862; Winchester, VA; burial in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, VA