Military Wiki
Charles Jones Colcock
Born (1820-04-30)April 30, 1820
Died October 22, 1891(1891-10-22) (aged 71)
Place of birth Barnwell County, South Carolina, United States
Place of death Hampton County, South Carolina, United States
Buried at Sheldon, South Carolina, United States
Allegiance  Confederate States
Service/branch  Confederate States Army
Years of service 1863 – 1865
Rank Colonel
Commands held 3rd South Carolina Cavalry
Battles/wars

American Civil War

Charles Jones Colcock (April 30, 1820 - October 22, 1891) was a Confederate Colonel who was most notable for commanding the 3rd South Carolina and serving at the Battle of Honey Hill after General G. W. Smith relinquished command to him as the main Confederate commander.

Biography[]

Charles was born on April 30, 1820, in Barnwell County, South Carolina as the son of Thomas Hutson Colcock and Eliza Mary Hay.[1] He married Mary Caroline Heyward in 1838, Lucy Frances Horton in 1851 and Agnes Bostick in 1864 and sired, among others, Charles J. Colcock Jr., John Colcock (who would be an officer in the 3rd South Carolina Infantry), and Francis Horton Colcock.[1][2]

Military career[]

When South Carolina seceded from the United States, Charles Colcock joined the Confederate States Army in 1863[3] and commanded the 3rd South Carolina Cavalry.[4] During his service, he was a projector of the Charleston and Savannah Railway and lead the 3rd South Carolina to defend the construction of the railroad.[5]

During his military service, he was also put in charge of the Confederate Third Military District from Ashepoo to the Savannah River.[3] When the Battle of Honey Hill broke out, General G. W. Smith was replaced with Colcock due to his knowledge of the geography and under his command, won the battle.[6] In 1865, he would be promoted to Brigadier General.[3]

Post-War Life[]

When the war ended, Colcock went into private life and eventually died on October 22, 1891, and was buried at Sheldon, South Carolina.

References[]

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The original article can be found at Charles J. Colcock and the edit history here.