South Carolina Reenactor Jerry W. Cauthan Dies

By Maj. Dan Gregory · Originally published April 2016 · p. 15

South Carolina Reenactor Jerry W. Cauthan Dies By Maj. Dan Gregory Hampton’s Legion Cavalry, Palmetto Battalion POINT SOUTH, S.C. Battle of Pocotaligo, S.C. — At the reenactment of the Battle of Pocotaligo held at Frampton Plantation in Point South, S.C., we lost Jerry Wayne Cauthan (July 24, 1949-Jan. 23, 2016) known as our beloved “Sharpshooter.” Jerry, 66, from Round O, S.C., was a reenactor for more than two decades. He served as a sergeant in the Hampton’s Legion Cavalry / Palmetto Battalion and as a scout in the 3rd South Carolina Cavalry. He loved history and his Southern heritage. He served in the United States Army. But most important he was a “True Friend” to many. He was loved and admired by all he met. He had arrived early to teach at school day on Friday as he had done many times before. He and I ate on Thursday night with fellow reenactors. Later that night he helped fix weapons and taught new recruits valuable lessons. School day was canceled, but Sharpshooter stayed and camped and waited on the rest of the unit to arrive. Saturday morning we saddled, rode and drilled the men and horses. He addressed the new recruits and continued to show them the right ways to do things. We had lunch and he gave my boy a new pair of warm gloves. He and my son served as the scouts for our group with great pride. He loved my boy as much as I do. We decided to take a final ride before calling it a day. I made the call of “Boots and Saddles” and later “To Horse!” Sharpshooter had already mounted, as always, before me. As I swung my leg over my horse, my friend came from his, in the middle of us. He got immediate treatment from me and others who are nurses, paramedics and a host of public servants. We lost and God now has another Angel to watch over us down here. He died in his Confederate Gray with his boots on. I know he would have wished for no other way if he could have chosen for himself. My son DJ wrote a social media post shortly after Jerry’s death. It gives readers a glimpse of how we now feel: “On January 23, 2016, the day we were all broken, he was called upon by the Lord and he answered. He was my battle buddy, family, mentor, the Grandfather I never had. I miss him, we all do. “Greatest man you could ever meet. He’ll always be with us when we’re called to “Boots and Saddles”. He’ll be with me when the Major calls “Scouts Up!” Jerry Cauthan, I’ll never forget you.” Godspeed, Sgt. Cauthan, His obituary can be found at www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com