“In my judgment, he was the superior of Kershaw’s fine set of Colonels, having, from nature, those rare qualities that go to make up the successful war commander, being reticent, observant, far-seeing, quick, decided, of iron will, inspiring confidence in his leadership, cheerful, self-possessed, unaffected by danger, and delighting like a game cock in battle.  He was singularly truth loving and truth speaking, and you could rely with confidence on the accuracy of his every statement.  He understood men, was clear sighted, quick and sound of judgment, and seemed never to be at a loss what to do in emergencies.  He exposed himself with reckless courage, but protected his men with untiring concern and skill.  He was rather a small man, physically, but his appearance and bearing were extremely martial, and had a stentorian voice that could be heard above the din of battle.”

Colonel Dessausure was born in Columbia, S.C., December 12th, 1819, was reared and educated there, graduated at the South Carolina College, and studied law in the office of his father, Hon. Win.  F. Dessausure.  He raised a company in Columbia for the Mexican war, and served through that war as Captain of Company H, Palmetto Regiment.  After that he was commissioned Captain of Cavalry, and assigned to General (then Colonel) Joseph K. Johnston’s Regiment in the United States Army, and served on the Plains until the Civil war commenced, when he resigned, returned to his native State and organized the Fifteenth Regiment, and was assigned to Drayton’s Brigade, then on the coast.

After the Seven Days’ Battle around Richmond he went with his Regiment, as a part of Drayton’s Brigade, in the first Maryland campaign.  On Lee’s return to Virginia, just before the Fredericksburg battle, his regiment was assigned to Kershaw.

The papers promoting him to the rank of Brigadier General were in the hands of the Secretary of War at the time he was killed.  He was buried in a private cemetery near Breane’s Tavern, in Pennsylvania, and his body removed to the family burying ground after the war.

He was married to Miss Ravenel of Charleston, who survived him some years.

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DONALD MCDIARMID MCLEOD

Was descended from Scotch ancestors who immigrated to this country about 1775 and settled in Marlboro District, near Hunt’s Bluff, on Big Pee Dee River.  He was son of Daniel McLeod and Catherine Evans McLeod.  He graduated from the South Carolina College about 1853, and for some time engaged in teaching school in his native county; then married Miss Margaret C. Alford and engaged in planting near where he was born.  He was then quietly leading a happy and contented life when South Carolina seceded.  When the toscin of war sounded he raised the first company of volunteers in Marlboro and was elected Captain of it.  This company, with another from Marlboro