William and Stiles Hinson at Fussell’s Mill

By Marc Ramsey · Originally published August 2019 · p. 17

During the spring of 1864, in the continuing effort to bolster the Richmond, Va., defenses, five veteran companies of cavalry were brought up from South Carolina to join the Holcombe Legion in Virginia, and with them, form a new cavalry regiment to be known as the 7th South Carolina Cavalry. This unit, along with the recently mounted Hampton Legion, and the new 24th Virginia Cavalry, would constitute a brigade under South Carolina Brigadier General Martin Gary, and would become part of the force tasked with defending Richmond. As a specific counter to Union General August Kautz’s Union Cavalry Division, Army of the James, Gary’s Brigade would see continuous action north of the James River, most often on the far left of the Confederate defensive positions. Among the troops called up from the Palmetto State were two young brothers from James Island, just outside Charleston, 2nd Lt. William G. Hinson and his younger brother Stiles, of the Rutledge Mounted Rifles and Horse Artillery. From the time they received their marching orders on April 6, 1864, through the end at Appomattox Court House, William kept an almost diary of the 7th SC Cavalry and its activities; it is from this journal that the following account of the fighting at Fussell’s Mill is drawn, as well as the story of the subsequent return home of the younger brother Stiles’s body. In August 1864, with Grant bogged down in his siege works at Petersburg, Union forces under Major General Winfield S. Hancock were sent to outflank the Confederate lines north of the James; an earlier attempt failed the month before. After crossing the river at their Deep Bottom bridgehead, and failing to make progress in direct attacks against Confederate Major General Charles W. Field’s Confederate defenders, Hancock dispatched Maj. Gen. David B. Birney’s X Corps to try and turn the Confederate left flank at Fussell’s Mill. Field called for help, and Gary’s Brigade was sent to block the Yankee advance and hold the line long enough for infantry reinforcements to come up. In the intense August heat and humidity, the Union advance was slowed, and when they finally did get to the earthworks near the mill, they found Gary’s dismounted cavalrymen dug in and ready for them, resolutely holding on until Field could bring up infantry support. Here we join Lt. Hinson’s contemporary account: August 15 – Joined the regiment in breastworks at 11 o’clock near Fussell’s Mill… my poor brother had received a mortal wound about 12 o’clock the day before, was carried to the hospital in Richmond by R. Bee and died at 2:30 that night. An affectionate son and brother and a gallant soldier, may he rest in peace and his fall inspire others to strike the harder for our country’s cause. Poor Mother! It will be a sudden blow to her to bear in her old age, but his having died as a soldier would wish, doing his country’s duty, I trust may be some consolation to her. Skirmishers engaged, slept in the trenches. August 16 – Advanced to meet the enemy on Charles City Road. Made a charge, dismounted, drove them back near Deep Run, White Oak Swamp. My Company (G) led the charge. Captured a number of horses. Stribling prisoner, Garrison wounded. Very Hot. Suffering for water; many men fainted. A shower of rain came up just as we halted from the charge; men dropped on their knees to get a mouthful of water, much dust on the roads. Gens. Chambliss and Girardy killed. Gen. Lee complimented the cavalry, especially mentioning Gary’s Brigade. Returned to the trenches and slept in a rain. No blankets. August 17 – In trenches. A little skirmishing going on. Yanks sent in a flag of truce to bury dead who had been killed the day before in attempt to take works when we were engaged at Deep Run. They took them for a short time only and were then routed and slaughtered, principally Negroes. Capt. Jeffers was taken sick and sent to the hospital. Left me in command. August 18 – Was sent out to occupy rifle pits at 5 o’clock; was ordered to advance with whole line of skirmishers. We charged their rifle pits. My company took eight prisoners and killed two that we knew of and then laid down to await our line of battle, which did not advance after finding so heavy a body massed in our front. Robert Bee wounded in the foot. I returned and took up my position in the rifle pits. Was up all night. Men so worn out could scarcely keep them awake, although so near the enemy. I found Spann Jeffers asleep on duty standing up; he does not know I knew it. August 25 – Visited spot where poor brother was mortally wounded. The fighting, skirmishing, and picketing would continue on an almost daily basis until the regiment was ordered into winter camp in early November. This gave time for many men to tend to more personal matters. One in particular deserves recounting as a touching example of similar stories unfolding throughout the South at that time. On Nov. 17, our chronicler Lt. Hinson records in his journal: “Had poor Stiles’ body taken up and put aboard the cars to take home.” This was no small undertaking. Hinson first had to secure sick leave (he was quite ill at this time), then he had to go through Confederate bureaucratic channels for permission to re-inter his brother’s body. He then had to secure help in digging up and removing Stiles’s remains from the grave at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, arrange for a new casket, and hire a wagon to transport it to the Danville Railroad station. There he bought passage for himself and his precious burden on the train to Charleston. This was just the beginning of a journey that would not be easy. November 24th – Started at seven and went 25 miles, when we found another engine had run off [the rails] ahead of us 15 miles from Greensboro. Started again at 9 o’clock. Just made connection at Greensboro at 11:30 o’clock. I could not get assistance to move the body to the other train, although hundreds of soldiers were standing around, until I met a few of the Hampton Legion and hired three Negroes just as the cars were leaving it; it only shows how hard and selfish we become when removed from softening influences and subjected to the hardships and roughness of camp life: one soon learns to think only of self. All were suffering from cold and hunger and all sensibilities appeared to be deadened; there was not a stove on the train and the wounds had not been dressed for days until they had become very offensive. Arrived at Charlotte at seven in the morning and paid $2 for a cup of unsweetened coffee. November 25th – Left Charlotte at 7:30 and arrived at Chester, SC at 12, where we found the good and kind ladies had prepared a lunch for all the soldiers, the first kindness we had received since we left Richmond. The difference between North Carolina and the other states is very marked. You can tell on either side as you touch either Virginia or South

Lieutenant William G. Hinson (left) and his younger brother Stiles M. Hinson (right), 7th SC Cavalry, of James Island, S.C. Carolina. It is the universal experience. Arrived at Columbia at 6:30 o’clock; stayed at the Home, having a bed but no covering. November 26th – Left Columbia 4 A.M. met Mr. Wm Lebby at Branchville. At Orangeburg the ladies had a fine spread for the soldiers, at the home of the noble Mrs. Rowe. Arrived in Charleston at dark. The next morning Lt. Hinson went to the Charleston waterfront and secured a boat. He also hired a wagon and several men to haul the coffin from the railway station to the docks and load it aboard the boat. He and the men then manned the oars for the long pull over to James Island, where they borrowed another wagon to convey his brother’s remains to the churchyard, where they then dug the grave. November 28th – Carried the body over and landed at Godbers or Stiles Point. Got a wagon and buggy from Col. Joe Yates and buried the body at the Presbyterian Church, where God grant that it may rest in peace. Returned and spent the night at Mr. Lebby’s. Was quite sick during the night. November 29th – Started at 6 o’clock for Graham Turnout and arrived at home at midday. Alas, it was a sad meeting with my poor mother. Lt Hinson would slowly recover, and would return to the 7th SC Cavalry in Virginia on February 1, 1865. Wounded three times in the war, William Hinson survived to surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. He would live a long and productive life, much loved by his family and friends until 1919, when he would pass away and be buried in the churchyard of James Island

Gen. Martin Gary Presbyterian Church, next to his younger brother Stiles M. Hinson. We honor them by remembering them. From The 7th South Carolina Cavalry – to the Defense of Richmond by Marc Ramsey. NC, 2011, Broadfoot Publishing, Marc Ramsey is co-owner of Owens and Ramsey Historical Booksellers with his lovely wife Jill, who, for the past 24 plus years, have specialized in the buying, selling and trading of rare and collectible Civil War books, artifacts and paper items. They provide appraisals for estate planning, charitable deductions, or insurance purposes. They also love making recommendations to readers looking to expand their Civil War knowledge as well as providing customers with very rare and collectible volumes for their libraries. The Ramsey’s have an open shop at 2728 Tinsley Drive in Richmond, VA 23235, send out a monthly catalog, and can be seen at many Civil War Shows and conferences throughout the year. Call Marc at 804-272-8888 or visit their website at www.owensandramsey.com.