George Strother James

He was a member of the Euphemian Literary Society at Erskine Seminary (enrolled 1843), but "ran off" at age 18 to serve in Company E, Palmetto Regiment (Marshall's) in the Mexican War on 1 December 1846. He was Corporal by October 1847, and was appointed Sergeant Major of the Regiment on 1 December 1847. He mustered out 1 July 1848 at Mobile, AL and entered South Carolina College, where was a senior in 1851, but left before graduating. He then went West, where he was a teacher in the Indian Territory. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th US Artillery in June 1856 and 1st Lt in December 1857. He resigned his US commission to go South 1 February 1861. He was commissioned Captain, Company C, First South Carolina Artillery, was in command of the Battery at Ft. Johnson, Charleston Harbor, and ordered the first (probably signal round) shot on Ft Sumter at 4:30 am, 12 April 1861.

He was appointed Major, 3rd South Carolina Battalion in December 1861, and Lieutenant Colonel and commanding officer on 2 February 1862.

He was mortally wounded by gunshot to the chest in action at Fox's Gap on South Mountain on 14 September and died the same day. He was (probably) relieved in command by Major William G. W. Rice.

He was buried on the field by local resident Frank P. Firey. His remains were probably not returned to South Carolina.

Basic Federal service from Heitman1. Details from Davis2 and the Euphemian Literary Society members list. His burial story from Brian Jordan's Unholy Sabbath (2012) citing the Confederate Veteran of February 1915. Further information from family genealogists. His picture from one posted by the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum.

01/16/1828; Laurens County, SC

09/14/1862; Fox's Gap, MD