Richard Caspar Simpson

Son of wealthy physician John Wells Simpson (1796-1881), in 1860 he was a 21 year old living with his father, 6 siblings, and 18 slaves at Laurens Court House, SC. He was studying medicine when he enlisted in the Laurens District on 14 April 1861 and mustered on 6 June in Columbia, SC as a Private in Company A, Third South Carolina Infantry. He was promoted to 3rd Corporal prior to Sharpsburg.

He was initially listed as mortally wounded in action on 17 September 1862 at Sharpsburg and "left in the hands of the enemy" but by August 1863 was determined to have been killed outright.

His service from Salley, Jr.1, who lists him as R. Caspar Simpson, and his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His memorial is on Findagrave, source also of his picture from a photograph of unknown provenance contributed by Lynne Lewellen. Thanks to James Hull for the pointer to "Cas" Simpson and his connection with the South Carolina College.

His brother Carolus was also at Sharpsburg and was wounded there.

Another brother Ossian Freeborn Simpson (1840-1925) graduated from the College with Cas in 1859. He was Sergeant Major of the 3rd South Carolina when he was wounded in June 1862 and was on furlough and not in Maryland that Fall. He was appointed Captain and Assistant Quartermaster in about April 1863 and was post QM at Greenville, SC to at least November 1864; he probably owed the appointment to the influence of their older brother William Dunlap Simpson (1823-1890), then a member of the Confederate Congress.

Cas' oldest brother John Wistar Simpson (1821-1893) and wife Ann had 9 sons and 2 daughters; they named their 7th son, born in October 1862, Richard Caspar Simpson (1862-1945).

Several of their Wright, Taliaferro, and Simpson cousins were also in Company A.

08/23/1838; Laurens District, SC

09/17/1862; Sharpsburg, MD