Killed in battle near Atlanta, Georgia. He served in the 10th Regiment of the South Carolina Infantry, Company K.
RE: John Saunders Palmer, Jr.
Capt. John S. Palmer
A hero of the ‘60’s
By Elizabeth C. (Palmer) Porcher
John Saunders Palmer, Jr., son of Dr. John S. Palmer and Esther Simons Palmer was born on the 23rd of August 1836 at Marion’s Point on the creek opposite the present town of McClellenville. The town was not in existence at that time, there being only one house then belonging to Mr. Archibald McClellan, the father of several daughters and two sons, Archibald and William.
John S. Palmer was the third of the three children then living, Elizabeth and Anne being older than himself, next to him came Sarah Jerman, James Jerman, Harriet Rebecca, Philip Gendron, Henrietta Ann, and Edward Palmer.
John was taught at home by private teachers, the first of whom was Miss Sarah L. Putman, of Worcester Mass; then by Mr. Thomas A. Lockwood, whose successor was Mr. Sutherland of New York, by that time he was old enough to be sent to the Pineville Academy from whence he was sent to the Arsenal Academy at Columbia, and for a short time to the University of Virginia from which he had to return home very soon on account of an injury sustained accidently, I think on the play grounds of the Institution. So for some time he assisted his father on the plantation, and also commenced clearing land for himself on a place called Weenee, which his father gave to him, to plant and settle several negroes. About the year in March or April, the young men of St. John’s Berkeley held a tournament on the Pineville Race Course, at which John rode as a knight crusader, wearing a dark green costume on which was a white satin shield with a red cross, and as the best horseman he won the spurs, though Mr. Fludd was declared the Champion Knight, who crowned as queen of Love and Beauty, Alice Gaillard, the daughter of the Col Peter C. Gaillard of Charleston and perhaps it was then, that John fell in love with Miss Alice.
In December 1860 there was a wedding at Ballsdam at which perhaps John was one of the groomsmen, and Alice Gaillard one of the bridesmaids, Marianne Palmer being the bride and Mr. Bacot Allston the groom, a fine looking gentleman of pleasing address. Alice Gaillard, though a city girl, accustomed to balls and parties, entered into the festivity of the simple country home. Mr. Thomas Lockwood was there too, and added much to the pleasure of the evening by his humor and liveliness. Dr. John Palmer was in Columbia and one of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession. Not long after the ceremony, a letter from him was received, announcing the passage of the Ordinance and I as the eldest of the family read it aloud, amid the acclimations of the company assembled in the parlor. Alice was then a very nice looking young lady, and not very many months after, John became engaged to her.
John enlisted soon after the Capture of Fort Sumter by the Confederates April 12th 1861, and became 1st Lieut of Company R. SCV Julius Porcher being Capt. Very soon that company was carried to Tennessee to serve in Bragg’s army. At the battle of Murfreesboro John was shot through the leg, and when well enough to travel came home on a furlough, having to use crutches for a long time. His father’s carriage was sent to a landing on Cooper river at which a steamer from Charleston regularly stopped and when the vehicle reached the avenue at Ballsdam, several of the negro men on the place rushed to meet “Maa’s John” shouting for joy and taking the horses from the traces, they drew him themselves up to the piazza, where the family were awaiting his arrival and among them, Alice his fiancée. As soon as he could walk pretty well on his crutches, he went up to the plantation called Sedgewood in St. John’s Berkeley where Col Gaillard’s family had taken refuge since the War began and on the 17th of Feb, 1863, he and Alice were married by Rev. Robert Johnson.
As soon as he could stand a march, John returned to his company, and was made Captain after the death of Julius Porcher. In Dec 1863, he came home on a short visit, and the next summer while encamped near Chattanooga, he sent for his wife to join him there, as did also some of the other officers of the regiment and there they had a happy time for several weeks before taking the field again.
Bragg’s army then advanced to Atlanta, and while gallantly leading his men in an assault upon the Federal earthworks, John was killed on 28th of July 1864.
The news of his death did not reach his parents for a long time as the enemy held the city. The arrival of his servant Timbo (a faithful slave) bringing his carpet bag etc, was like the burst of a thunder cloud,
[The following is a description of how his parents reacted to the news of John’s death:
Never so long as I live will I forget last Sunday the image of Mama as I saw her when I ran into the hall. Do not think it can ever be erased from my mind or of Papa, when he got out of his buggy. Mama was standing in the doorway, her figure bent, her eyes seemed to be sunken, wringing her hands and calling upon God. “Oh my son, oh my poor boy.” I threw up my arms around her, but I had no words to comfort her with. I could only say we would meet him in heaven. For I felt assured he was prepared to meet his God. Her grief was wild for some time. She said they have taken all my sons. In her bitter anguish she seemed to have forgotten that she had two left. Papa was at Balls Dam, at first, I told Edmund to go and tell him to come home… When I heard the buggy coming I trembled with fear for the effect the news might have upon him. I did not know until he had driven up that he had heard and when he got out of the buggy oh God what a sight met my eyes. He could scarcely stand. He tottered. He looked like 80. Sal [Sarah Palmer] and myself ran down and each of us took him by the arm and helped him in. Oh, my poor father. I can never forget how he looked. We tried to comfort him by telling him there was still hope; but he said no there is no hope. He felt it. When we got him seated in the hall he begged us to rub his hands. He felt dead all over….
This news not only prostrated John’s parents, it also crushed the hopes of the household, especially as his body was not recovered till a month after, when the Confederates regained possession of Atlanta, a huge trench was uncovered, and one of John’s company Serg’ Owens, recognized his uniform. He and John Stoney Porcher cut off the cuff of the shirt and also of the coat sleeve, the material of both having been woven by Alice herself. So they were sent to her and instantly recognized—thus making it certain the body was really John’s—it having been in the meantime, carried to Bartow Ga, and buried in a Church yard, a wooden head piece bearing his name having carefully marked the spot. After the close of the war, John’s father went on to Ga. and brought his remains to Charleston, where they were laid in Magnolia Cemetery in Col Gaillard’s enclosure.
(Mrs. Philip E. Porcher)
Sept. 1914
(signed with out spectacles at age of 81)
Original manuscript in the South Carolina Historical Association, Charleston, SC
Added by David J. Rutledge on Jun 10, 2015 9:36 PM
RE: John Saunders Palmer, Jr.
Capt. John S. Palmer
A hero of the ‘60’s
By Elizabeth C. (Palmer) Porcher
John Saunders Palmer, Jr., son of Dr. John S. Palmer and Esther Simons Palmer was born on the 23rd of August 1836 at Marion’s Point on the creek opposite the present town of McClellenville. The town was not in existence at that time, there being only one house then belonging to Mr. Archibald McClellan, the father of several daughters and two sons, Archibald and William.
John S. Palmer was the third of the three children then living, Elizabeth and Anne being older than himself, next to him came Sarah Jerman, James Jerman, Harriet Rebecca, Philip Gendron, Henrietta Ann, and Edward Palmer.
John was taught at home by private teachers, the first of whom was Miss Sarah L. Putman, of Worcester Mass; then by Mr. Thomas A. Lockwood, whose successor was Mr. Sutherland of New York, by that time he was old enough to be sent to the Pineville Academy from whence he was sent to the Arsenal Academy at Columbia, and for a short time to the University of Virginia from which he had to return home very soon on account of an injury sustained accidently, I think on the play grounds of the Institution. So for some time he assisted his father on the plantation, and also commenced clearing land for himself on a place called Weenee, which his father gave to him, to plant and settle several negroes. About the year in March or April, the young men of St. John’s Berkeley held a tournament on the Pineville Race Course, at which John rode as a knight crusader, wearing a dark green costume on which was a white satin shield with a red cross, and as the best horseman he won the spurs, though Mr. Fludd was declared the Champion Knight, who crowned as queen of Love and Beauty, Alice Gaillard, the daughter of the Col Peter C. Gaillard of Charleston and perhaps it was then, that John fell in love with Miss Alice.
In December 1860 there was a wedding at Ballsdam at which perhaps John was one of the groomsmen, and Alice Gaillard one of the bridesmaids, Marianne Palmer being the bride and Mr. Bacot Allston the groom, a fine looking gentleman of pleasing address. Alice Gaillard, though a city girl, accustomed to balls and parties, entered into the festivity of the simple country home. Mr. Thomas Lockwood was there too, and added much to the pleasure of the evening by his humor and liveliness. Dr. John Palmer was in Columbia and one of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession. Not long after the ceremony, a letter from him was received, announcing the passage of the Ordinance and I as the eldest of the family read it aloud, amid the acclimations of the company assembled in the parlor. Alice was then a very nice looking young lady, and not very many months after, John became engaged to her.
John enlisted soon after the Capture of Fort Sumter by the Confederates April 12th 1861, and became 1st Lieut of Company R. SCV Julius Porcher being Capt. Very soon that company was carried to Tennessee to serve in Bragg’s army. At the battle of Murfreesboro John was shot through the leg, and when well enough to travel came home on a furlough, having to use crutches for a long time. His father’s carriage was sent to a landing on Cooper river at which a steamer from Charleston regularly stopped and when the vehicle reached the avenue at Ballsdam, several of the negro men on the place rushed to meet “Maa’s John” shouting for joy and taking the horses from the traces, they drew him themselves up to the piazza, where the family were awaiting his arrival and among them, Alice his fiancée. As soon as he could walk pretty well on his crutches, he went up to the plantation called Sedgewood in St. John’s Berkeley where Col Gaillard’s family had taken refuge since the War began and on the 17th of Feb, 1863, he and Alice were married by Rev. Robert Johnson.
As soon as he could stand a march, John returned to his company, and was made Captain after the death of Julius Porcher. In Dec 1863, he came home on a short visit, and the next summer while encamped near Chattanooga, he sent for his wife to join him there, as did also some of the other officers of the regiment and there they had a happy time for several weeks before taking the field again.
Bragg’s army then advanced to Atlanta, and while gallantly leading his men in an assault upon the Federal earthworks, John was killed on 28th of July 1864.
The news of his death did not reach his parents for a long time as the enemy held the city. The arrival of his servant Timbo (a faithful slave) bringing his carpet bag etc, was like the burst of a thunder cloud,
[The following is a description of how his parents reacted to the news of John’s death:
Never so long as I live will I forget last Sunday the image of Mama as I saw her when I ran into the hall. Do not think it can ever be erased from my mind or of Papa, when he got out of his buggy. Mama was standing in the doorway, her figure bent, her eyes seemed to be sunken, wringing her hands and calling upon God. “Oh my son, oh my poor boy.” I threw up my arms around her, but I had no words to comfort her with. I could only say we would meet him in heaven. For I felt assured he was prepared to meet his God. Her grief was wild for some time. She said they have taken all my sons. In her bitter anguish she seemed to have forgotten that she had two left. Papa was at Balls Dam, at first, I told Edmund to go and tell him to come home… When I heard the buggy coming I trembled with fear for the effect the news might have upon him. I did not know until he had driven up that he had heard and when he got out of the buggy oh God what a sight met my eyes. He could scarcely stand. He tottered. He looked like 80. Sal [Sarah Palmer] and myself ran down and each of us took him by the arm and helped him in. Oh, my poor father. I can never forget how he looked. We tried to comfort him by telling him there was still hope; but he said no there is no hope. He felt it. When we got him seated in the hall he begged us to rub his hands. He felt dead all over….
This news not only prostrated John’s parents, it also crushed the hopes of the household, especially as his body was not recovered till a month after, when the Confederates regained possession of Atlanta, a huge trench was uncovered, and one of John’s company Serg’ Owens, recognized his uniform. He and John Stoney Porcher cut off the cuff of the shirt and also of the coat sleeve, the material of both having been woven by Alice herself. So they were sent to her and instantly recognized—thus making it certain the body was really John’s—it having been in the meantime, carried to Bartow Ga, and buried in a Church yard, a wooden head piece bearing his name having carefully marked the spot. After the close of the war, John’s father went on to Ga. and brought his remains to Charleston, where they were laid in Magnolia Cemetery in Col Gaillard’s enclosure.
(Mrs. Philip E. Porcher)
Sept. 1914
(signed with out spectacles at age of 81)
Original manuscript in the South Carolina Historical Association, Charleston, SC
Added by David J. Rutledge on Jun 10, 2015 9:36 PM
Killed in battle near Atlanta, Georgia. He served in the 10th Regiment of the South Carolina Infantry, Company K.
RE: John Saunders Palmer, Jr.
Capt. John S. Palmer
A hero of the ‘60’s
By Elizabeth C. (Palmer) Porcher
John Saunders Palmer, Jr., son of Dr. John S. Palmer and Esther Simons Palmer was born on the 23rd of August 1836 at Marion’s Point on the creek opposite the present town of McClellenville. The town was not in existence at that time, there being only one house then belonging to Mr. Archibald McClellan, the father of several daughters and two sons, Archibald and William.
John S. Palmer was the third of the three children then living, Elizabeth and Anne being older than himself, next to him came Sarah Jerman, James Jerman, Harriet Rebecca, Philip Gendron, Henrietta Ann, and Edward Palmer.
John was taught at home by private teachers, the first of whom was Miss Sarah L. Putman, of Worcester Mass; then by Mr. Thomas A. Lockwood, whose successor was Mr. Sutherland of New York, by that time he was old enough to be sent to the Pineville Academy from whence he was sent to the Arsenal Academy at Columbia, and for a short time to the University of Virginia from which he had to return home very soon on account of an injury sustained accidently, I think on the play grounds of the Institution. So for some time he assisted his father on the plantation, and also commenced clearing land for himself on a place called Weenee, which his father gave to him, to plant and settle several negroes. About the year in March or April, the young men of St. John’s Berkeley held a tournament on the Pineville Race Course, at which John rode as a knight crusader, wearing a dark green costume on which was a white satin shield with a red cross, and as the best horseman he won the spurs, though Mr. Fludd was declared the Champion Knight, who crowned as queen of Love and Beauty, Alice Gaillard, the daughter of the Col Peter C. Gaillard of Charleston and perhaps it was then, that John fell in love with Miss Alice.
In December 1860 there was a wedding at Ballsdam at which perhaps John was one of the groomsmen, and Alice Gaillard one of the bridesmaids, Marianne Palmer being the bride and Mr. Bacot Allston the groom, a fine looking gentleman of pleasing address. Alice Gaillard, though a city girl, accustomed to balls and parties, entered into the festivity of the simple country home. Mr. Thomas Lockwood was there too, and added much to the pleasure of the evening by his humor and liveliness. Dr. John Palmer was in Columbia and one of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession. Not long after the ceremony, a letter from him was received, announcing the passage of the Ordinance and I as the eldest of the family read it aloud, amid the acclimations of the company assembled in the parlor. Alice was then a very nice looking young lady, and not very many months after, John became engaged to her.
John enlisted soon after the Capture of Fort Sumter by the Confederates April 12th 1861, and became 1st Lieut of Company R. SCV Julius Porcher being Capt. Very soon that company was carried to Tennessee to serve in Bragg’s army. At the battle of Murfreesboro John was shot through the leg, and when well enough to travel came home on a furlough, having to use crutches for a long time. His father’s carriage was sent to a landing on Cooper river at which a steamer from Charleston regularly stopped and when the vehicle reached the avenue at Ballsdam, several of the negro men on the place rushed to meet “Maa’s John” shouting for joy and taking the horses from the traces, they drew him themselves up to the piazza, where the family were awaiting his arrival and among them, Alice his fiancée. As soon as he could walk pretty well on his crutches, he went up to the plantation called Sedgewood in St. John’s Berkeley where Col Gaillard’s family had taken refuge since the War began and on the 17th of Feb, 1863, he and Alice were married by Rev. Robert Johnson.
As soon as he could stand a march, John returned to his company, and was made Captain after the death of Julius Porcher. In Dec 1863, he came home on a short visit, and the next summer while encamped near Chattanooga, he sent for his wife to join him there, as did also some of the other officers of the regiment and there they had a happy time for several weeks before taking the field again.
Bragg’s army then advanced to Atlanta, and while gallantly leading his men in an assault upon the Federal earthworks, John was killed on 28th of July 1864.
The news of his death did not reach his parents for a long time as the enemy held the city. The arrival of his servant Timbo (a faithful slave) bringing his carpet bag etc, was like the burst of a thunder cloud,
[The following is a description of how his parents reacted to the news of John’s death:
Never so long as I live will I forget last Sunday the image of Mama as I saw her when I ran into the hall. Do not think it can ever be erased from my mind or of Papa, when he got out of his buggy. Mama was standing in the doorway, her figure bent, her eyes seemed to be sunken, wringing her hands and calling upon God. “Oh my son, oh my poor boy.” I threw up my arms around her, but I had no words to comfort her with. I could only say we would meet him in heaven. For I felt assured he was prepared to meet his God. Her grief was wild for some time. She said they have taken all my sons. In her bitter anguish she seemed to have forgotten that she had two left. Papa was at Balls Dam, at first, I told Edmund to go and tell him to come home… When I heard the buggy coming I trembled with fear for the effect the news might have upon him. I did not know until he had driven up that he had heard and when he got out of the buggy oh God what a sight met my eyes. He could scarcely stand. He tottered. He looked like 80. Sal [Sarah Palmer] and myself ran down and each of us took him by the arm and helped him in. Oh, my poor father. I can never forget how he looked. We tried to comfort him by telling him there was still hope; but he said no there is no hope. He felt it. When we got him seated in the hall he begged us to rub his hands. He felt dead all over….
This news not only prostrated John’s parents, it also crushed the hopes of the household, especially as his body was not recovered till a month after, when the Confederates regained possession of Atlanta, a huge trench was uncovered, and one of John’s company Serg’ Owens, recognized his uniform. He and John Stoney Porcher cut off the cuff of the shirt and also of the coat sleeve, the material of both having been woven by Alice herself. So they were sent to her and instantly recognized—thus making it certain the body was really John’s—it having been in the meantime, carried to Bartow Ga, and buried in a Church yard, a wooden head piece bearing his name having carefully marked the spot. After the close of the war, John’s father went on to Ga. and brought his remains to Charleston, where they were laid in Magnolia Cemetery in Col Gaillard’s enclosure.
(Mrs. Philip E. Porcher)
Sept. 1914
(signed with out spectacles at age of 81)
Original manuscript in the South Carolina Historical Association, Charleston, SC
Added by David J. Rutledge on Jun 10, 2015 9:36 PM
RE: John Saunders Palmer, Jr.
Capt. John S. Palmer
A hero of the ‘60’s
By Elizabeth C. (Palmer) Porcher
John Saunders Palmer, Jr., son of Dr. John S. Palmer and Esther Simons Palmer was born on the 23rd of August 1836 at Marion’s Point on the creek opposite the present town of McClellenville. The town was not in existence at that time, there being only one house then belonging to Mr. Archibald McClellan, the father of several daughters and two sons, Archibald and William.
John S. Palmer was the third of the three children then living, Elizabeth and Anne being older than himself, next to him came Sarah Jerman, James Jerman, Harriet Rebecca, Philip Gendron, Henrietta Ann, and Edward Palmer.
John was taught at home by private teachers, the first of whom was Miss Sarah L. Putman, of Worcester Mass; then by Mr. Thomas A. Lockwood, whose successor was Mr. Sutherland of New York, by that time he was old enough to be sent to the Pineville Academy from whence he was sent to the Arsenal Academy at Columbia, and for a short time to the University of Virginia from which he had to return home very soon on account of an injury sustained accidently, I think on the play grounds of the Institution. So for some time he assisted his father on the plantation, and also commenced clearing land for himself on a place called Weenee, which his father gave to him, to plant and settle several negroes. About the year in March or April, the young men of St. John’s Berkeley held a tournament on the Pineville Race Course, at which John rode as a knight crusader, wearing a dark green costume on which was a white satin shield with a red cross, and as the best horseman he won the spurs, though Mr. Fludd was declared the Champion Knight, who crowned as queen of Love and Beauty, Alice Gaillard, the daughter of the Col Peter C. Gaillard of Charleston and perhaps it was then, that John fell in love with Miss Alice.
In December 1860 there was a wedding at Ballsdam at which perhaps John was one of the groomsmen, and Alice Gaillard one of the bridesmaids, Marianne Palmer being the bride and Mr. Bacot Allston the groom, a fine looking gentleman of pleasing address. Alice Gaillard, though a city girl, accustomed to balls and parties, entered into the festivity of the simple country home. Mr. Thomas Lockwood was there too, and added much to the pleasure of the evening by his humor and liveliness. Dr. John Palmer was in Columbia and one of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession. Not long after the ceremony, a letter from him was received, announcing the passage of the Ordinance and I as the eldest of the family read it aloud, amid the acclimations of the company assembled in the parlor. Alice was then a very nice looking young lady, and not very many months after, John became engaged to her.
John enlisted soon after the Capture of Fort Sumter by the Confederates April 12th 1861, and became 1st Lieut of Company R. SCV Julius Porcher being Capt. Very soon that company was carried to Tennessee to serve in Bragg’s army. At the battle of Murfreesboro John was shot through the leg, and when well enough to travel came home on a furlough, having to use crutches for a long time. His father’s carriage was sent to a landing on Cooper river at which a steamer from Charleston regularly stopped and when the vehicle reached the avenue at Ballsdam, several of the negro men on the place rushed to meet “Maa’s John” shouting for joy and taking the horses from the traces, they drew him themselves up to the piazza, where the family were awaiting his arrival and among them, Alice his fiancée. As soon as he could walk pretty well on his crutches, he went up to the plantation called Sedgewood in St. John’s Berkeley where Col Gaillard’s family had taken refuge since the War began and on the 17th of Feb, 1863, he and Alice were married by Rev. Robert Johnson.
As soon as he could stand a march, John returned to his company, and was made Captain after the death of Julius Porcher. In Dec 1863, he came home on a short visit, and the next summer while encamped near Chattanooga, he sent for his wife to join him there, as did also some of the other officers of the regiment and there they had a happy time for several weeks before taking the field again.
Bragg’s army then advanced to Atlanta, and while gallantly leading his men in an assault upon the Federal earthworks, John was killed on 28th of July 1864.
The news of his death did not reach his parents for a long time as the enemy held the city. The arrival of his servant Timbo (a faithful slave) bringing his carpet bag etc, was like the burst of a thunder cloud,
[The following is a description of how his parents reacted to the news of John’s death:
Never so long as I live will I forget last Sunday the image of Mama as I saw her when I ran into the hall. Do not think it can ever be erased from my mind or of Papa, when he got out of his buggy. Mama was standing in the doorway, her figure bent, her eyes seemed to be sunken, wringing her hands and calling upon God. “Oh my son, oh my poor boy.” I threw up my arms around her, but I had no words to comfort her with. I could only say we would meet him in heaven. For I felt assured he was prepared to meet his God. Her grief was wild for some time. She said they have taken all my sons. In her bitter anguish she seemed to have forgotten that she had two left. Papa was at Balls Dam, at first, I told Edmund to go and tell him to come home… When I heard the buggy coming I trembled with fear for the effect the news might have upon him. I did not know until he had driven up that he had heard and when he got out of the buggy oh God what a sight met my eyes. He could scarcely stand. He tottered. He looked like 80. Sal [Sarah Palmer] and myself ran down and each of us took him by the arm and helped him in. Oh, my poor father. I can never forget how he looked. We tried to comfort him by telling him there was still hope; but he said no there is no hope. He felt it. When we got him seated in the hall he begged us to rub his hands. He felt dead all over….
This news not only prostrated John’s parents, it also crushed the hopes of the household, especially as his body was not recovered till a month after, when the Confederates regained possession of Atlanta, a huge trench was uncovered, and one of John’s company Serg’ Owens, recognized his uniform. He and John Stoney Porcher cut off the cuff of the shirt and also of the coat sleeve, the material of both having been woven by Alice herself. So they were sent to her and instantly recognized—thus making it certain the body was really John’s—it having been in the meantime, carried to Bartow Ga, and buried in a Church yard, a wooden head piece bearing his name having carefully marked the spot. After the close of the war, John’s father went on to Ga. and brought his remains to Charleston, where they were laid in Magnolia Cemetery in Col Gaillard’s enclosure.
(Mrs. Philip E. Porcher)
Sept. 1914
(signed with out spectacles at age of 81)
Original manuscript in the South Carolina Historical Association, Charleston, SC
Added by David J. Rutledge on Jun 10, 2015 9:36 PM
Gravesite Details
Killed in battle near Atlanta, Georgia.
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