Originally buried in the Sharpsburg Cemetery by Confederate forces. When the Antietam National Cemetery was formed several years later the original Cemetery Commission's plan allowed for burial of soldiers from both sides. However, the rancor and bitterness over the recently completed conflict and the devastated South's inability to raise funds to join in such a venture persuaded Maryland to recant.

Consequently, only Union dead are interred here. Confederate remains were re-interred in Washington Confederate Cemetery in Hagerstown, Maryland; Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland; and Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Approximately 2,800 Southerners are buried in these three cemeteries, over 60% of whom are unknown.

This obituary appeared on the front page of the The Charleston Mercury, dated Dec. 3, 1862
(I copied this from an original framed copy of that paper which is in my possession.
If a member of the family would like to have it, please contact me at [email protected])
===================================================================
Major White
In Memorium

WILLIAM CAPERS WHITE, Major, of the 7th South Carolina Volunteers, died for his country, on the plains of Sharpsburg, MD, 17 September 1862.

Major White was a native and citizen of Georgetown District in South Carolina, where the father, the late Jno. White, an estimable Christian gentleman, had lived and died, honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens. Major White was his eldest son, and was born on the 17th of November 1821. His inclination and tastes led him, early in life, to devote his unflagging zeal to agriculture; and, until the election of Lincoln, he pursued, with great success, the cultivation of the rich rice lands of Georgetown. Ardent in his love for his native state, and determined to devote himself to these service against that threatened coercion of the Northern Governments, he promptly organized a company, but was soon selected for a higher position and, as major of the Militia, was charged by the authorities with the defense of the coast north of his native town of Georgetown. After the reduction of Ft Sumter and when it became evident that the active hostilities would soon be inaugurated in Virginia, the gallant White relinquishes his command on the coast, and collected a noble company of over two hundred men from his immediate part of the 7th South Carolina Volunteers, then encamped in Virginia. Of this fine company, the law permitted only a part to constitute the organization; and many of these stout man, who were selected, because of their home claims to remain, wept when their beloved leader conducted his brave band to Virginia. The history of the brigade (Bonham’s, afterwards Kershaw’s) to which the 7th is attached has become a brilliant page in the general history of this great revolution. Among the first troops on our frontier, the 7th shared the honors of the campaigns before and after the first great battle of Manassas, and endured the hardships of the winter around Centerville with the steadfast spirit of true patriots. The manly nature, the brave spirit, and the generous heart, which marked the character of Major (then Captain) WHITE, impressed officers and men alike, and won for him the universal esteem of his regiment. Sincere in his convictions of duty and full of energy and high impulse, he devoted himself to the service of his company with constant zeal, inspiring his command with a prompt spirit of duty, and securing to himself their implicit confidences. He shared their hardships and endured the privation of the early campaign on the Peninsula with a cheerful spirit, and when example was necessary to stimulate his men to great exertion, WHITE was foremost in deeds of heroic sacrifice and daring.

Nor were his character and conduct without their legitimate results. The 7th was to be reorganized. The troops, in the face of the enemy, were called upon to choose their leaders. By unanimous consent, Capt. White was selected to be their Major, and immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties. A temporary indisposition, of a severe nature , compelled his absence in June; but the news of the great conflicts before Richmond hastened his return to his post, not, however, before the battle of Malvern Hill had been fought. But soon his brave and gallant spirit was destined to bring him in close and deadly combat with the foe of hi country. The following extract from the letter of one of his Captain, detailing the circumstances of his heroic death, is a truthful tribute from a brother soldier to the worthy conduct of his gallant comrade. “On the morning of the 17th of September, after having marched all night – crossing the Potomac- our division came in sight of Sharpsburg, where Hood’s division had already engaged the enemy, and we were immediately ordered forward to support our already broken lines. As we moved through the pen ground towards the enemy’s lines, under terrible fire of shell and shrapnel, a bumb burst just above the Major’s head, knocking him down, and bruising his face very serverely against the ground. I noticed him as he rose from the ground, and wiping the blood and dust from his face, press forward again. Soon after we engaged the infantry of the enemy in a skirt of woods, and driving them thence, charged them through the field beyond, until they fled behind their batteries for protection. Upon a ridge, immediately in front of a battery of four howitzers, and upon the left of which the enemy had placed a second battery, the regiment, which had become detached from the brigade, halted, and opened fire upon the supports of the battery in our front. Instantly, both batteries were turned against us, and a heavy fire of grape and canister poured into our ranks.

The right wing had halted. WHITE and I, seeing we were in point blank range of the batteries, had pressed the left wing forward under the hill, the colors continuing to advance. Just here, Major WHITE passed down the line from the right (the acting Lieutenant Colonel), and said to me “We can take that battery – forward!” We both passed through the ranks and moved side by side, with the colors, to the front, and had almost reached the battery, (the guns of which were already abandoned) when the Major was struck in the cheek by a rife ball, fired by one of the infantry to the rear of the battery. Still he pressed forward, until within twenty yards of the battery, when just at this moment the guns, re-manned, opened upon us, and swept the Major, falling at first discharge, being struck about the ear with grape shot. I paused a moment beside him, but seeing that he was already quite dead, I moved back to the woods where the rest of the Brigade was formed, while the enemy moved up and occupied that portion of the field where the Major’s body lay,”

It was subsequently sent within our lines by the enemy and buried by his brother soldiers beneath the beautiful oaks of the Sharpsburg Cemetery. Thus ended the career of a truly brave and noble man, whose life had been usefully and honorably spent, and whose death illustrated the heroism of his nature. An incident, evincing the affection of a faithful servant of a good master, was related and established by another of Major White’s brother officers. It will not be inappropriate here: “One of the most touching things I have seen since my connection with the army, was the devotion of Major White’s servant, and old negro he brought from home with him. The Major was shot at a battery which we charged, and from which we were obliged, from want of support, to fall back. The news had not reached the old man, and the next morning he rode down to the lines, where we were, to bring the Major’s breakfast; and when he learned that the Major was dead he sat down and wept like a child. After recovering himself he begged to be allowed to go to the enemy’s lines, and try to recover his masters body, and when refused, his grief seemed to increase tenfold. All day he watched and waited, hoping by some means to get the body, and when I insisted that he go to the rear, the old man left very reluctantly, begging me to use every means to recover his master’s remains. The next morning, he saddled his horse, packed all of his master’s baggage upon him, and started off on his homeward journey of nearly a thousand miles. An instance of greater devotion I never saw.” In the private relationships of his life, a frank, genial manner, prompted by manly virtues and softened by the tenderest sympathies, endeared him to loving brothers and sisters. The community in which he lived held him in high respect and confidence. Generous acts of kindness to the poor, a useful devotion to the pursuit of industry, sincere companionship and the noble sacrifice of life for his country’s good, these have made the example and memory of WM. CAPERS WHITE precious in the esteem of his fellow citizens, while his country records his name among those of her cherished sons who have nobly perished in her defence. * E.C

Originally buried in the Sharpsburg Cemetery by Confederate forces. When the Antietam National Cemetery was formed several years later the original Cemetery Commission's plan allowed for burial of soldiers from both sides. However, the rancor and bitterness over the recently completed conflict and the devastated South's inability to raise funds to join in such a venture persuaded Maryland to recant.

Consequently, only Union dead are interred here. Confederate remains were re-interred in Washington Confederate Cemetery in Hagerstown, Maryland; Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland; and Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Approximately 2,800 Southerners are buried in these three cemeteries, over 60% of whom are unknown.

This obituary appeared on the front page of the The Charleston Mercury, dated Dec. 3, 1862
(I copied this from an original framed copy of that paper which is in my possession.
If a member of the family would like to have it, please contact me at [email protected])
===================================================================
Major White
In Memorium

WILLIAM CAPERS WHITE, Major, of the 7th South Carolina Volunteers, died for his country, on the plains of Sharpsburg, MD, 17 September 1862.

Major White was a native and citizen of Georgetown District in South Carolina, where the father, the late Jno. White, an estimable Christian gentleman, had lived and died, honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens. Major White was his eldest son, and was born on the 17th of November 1821. His inclination and tastes led him, early in life, to devote his unflagging zeal to agriculture; and, until the election of Lincoln, he pursued, with great success, the cultivation of the rich rice lands of Georgetown. Ardent in his love for his native state, and determined to devote himself to these service against that threatened coercion of the Northern Governments, he promptly organized a company, but was soon selected for a higher position and, as major of the Militia, was charged by the authorities with the defense of the coast north of his native town of Georgetown. After the reduction of Ft Sumter and when it became evident that the active hostilities would soon be inaugurated in Virginia, the gallant White relinquishes his command on the coast, and collected a noble company of over two hundred men from his immediate part of the 7th South Carolina Volunteers, then encamped in Virginia. Of this fine company, the law permitted only a part to constitute the organization; and many of these stout man, who were selected, because of their home claims to remain, wept when their beloved leader conducted his brave band to Virginia. The history of the brigade (Bonham’s, afterwards Kershaw’s) to which the 7th is attached has become a brilliant page in the general history of this great revolution. Among the first troops on our frontier, the 7th shared the honors of the campaigns before and after the first great battle of Manassas, and endured the hardships of the winter around Centerville with the steadfast spirit of true patriots. The manly nature, the brave spirit, and the generous heart, which marked the character of Major (then Captain) WHITE, impressed officers and men alike, and won for him the universal esteem of his regiment. Sincere in his convictions of duty and full of energy and high impulse, he devoted himself to the service of his company with constant zeal, inspiring his command with a prompt spirit of duty, and securing to himself their implicit confidences. He shared their hardships and endured the privation of the early campaign on the Peninsula with a cheerful spirit, and when example was necessary to stimulate his men to great exertion, WHITE was foremost in deeds of heroic sacrifice and daring.

Nor were his character and conduct without their legitimate results. The 7th was to be reorganized. The troops, in the face of the enemy, were called upon to choose their leaders. By unanimous consent, Capt. White was selected to be their Major, and immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties. A temporary indisposition, of a severe nature , compelled his absence in June; but the news of the great conflicts before Richmond hastened his return to his post, not, however, before the battle of Malvern Hill had been fought. But soon his brave and gallant spirit was destined to bring him in close and deadly combat with the foe of hi country. The following extract from the letter of one of his Captain, detailing the circumstances of his heroic death, is a truthful tribute from a brother soldier to the worthy conduct of his gallant comrade. “On the morning of the 17th of September, after having marched all night – crossing the Potomac- our division came in sight of Sharpsburg, where Hood’s division had already engaged the enemy, and we were immediately ordered forward to support our already broken lines. As we moved through the pen ground towards the enemy’s lines, under terrible fire of shell and shrapnel, a bumb burst just above the Major’s head, knocking him down, and bruising his face very serverely against the ground. I noticed him as he rose from the ground, and wiping the blood and dust from his face, press forward again. Soon after we engaged the infantry of the enemy in a skirt of woods, and driving them thence, charged them through the field beyond, until they fled behind their batteries for protection. Upon a ridge, immediately in front of a battery of four howitzers, and upon the left of which the enemy had placed a second battery, the regiment, which had become detached from the brigade, halted, and opened fire upon the supports of the battery in our front. Instantly, both batteries were turned against us, and a heavy fire of grape and canister poured into our ranks.

The right wing had halted. WHITE and I, seeing we were in point blank range of the batteries, had pressed the left wing forward under the hill, the colors continuing to advance. Just here, Major WHITE passed down the line from the right (the acting Lieutenant Colonel), and said to me “We can take that battery – forward!” We both passed through the ranks and moved side by side, with the colors, to the front, and had almost reached the battery, (the guns of which were already abandoned) when the Major was struck in the cheek by a rife ball, fired by one of the infantry to the rear of the battery. Still he pressed forward, until within twenty yards of the battery, when just at this moment the guns, re-manned, opened upon us, and swept the Major, falling at first discharge, being struck about the ear with grape shot. I paused a moment beside him, but seeing that he was already quite dead, I moved back to the woods where the rest of the Brigade was formed, while the enemy moved up and occupied that portion of the field where the Major’s body lay,”

It was subsequently sent within our lines by the enemy and buried by his brother soldiers beneath the beautiful oaks of the Sharpsburg Cemetery. Thus ended the career of a truly brave and noble man, whose life had been usefully and honorably spent, and whose death illustrated the heroism of his nature. An incident, evincing the affection of a faithful servant of a good master, was related and established by another of Major White’s brother officers. It will not be inappropriate here: “One of the most touching things I have seen since my connection with the army, was the devotion of Major White’s servant, and old negro he brought from home with him. The Major was shot at a battery which we charged, and from which we were obliged, from want of support, to fall back. The news had not reached the old man, and the next morning he rode down to the lines, where we were, to bring the Major’s breakfast; and when he learned that the Major was dead he sat down and wept like a child. After recovering himself he begged to be allowed to go to the enemy’s lines, and try to recover his masters body, and when refused, his grief seemed to increase tenfold. All day he watched and waited, hoping by some means to get the body, and when I insisted that he go to the rear, the old man left very reluctantly, begging me to use every means to recover his master’s remains. The next morning, he saddled his horse, packed all of his master’s baggage upon him, and started off on his homeward journey of nearly a thousand miles. An instance of greater devotion I never saw.” In the private relationships of his life, a frank, genial manner, prompted by manly virtues and softened by the tenderest sympathies, endeared him to loving brothers and sisters. The community in which he lived held him in high respect and confidence. Generous acts of kindness to the poor, a useful devotion to the pursuit of industry, sincere companionship and the noble sacrifice of life for his country’s good, these have made the example and memory of WM. CAPERS WHITE precious in the esteem of his fellow citizens, while his country records his name among those of her cherished sons who have nobly perished in her defence. * E.C