CHRONOLOGY OF BENJAMIN GODFREY WILLIS’ AND THE FIFTH S C

CAVALRY REGIMENT’S SERVICE IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES

Benjamin Godfrey Willis served in the Company C, 5^th Regiment of the South Carolina Calvary.  He was Orderly Sergeant, Commanding the Company, for most of the war and was promoted to 1^st Lieutenant towards the end of the war. 

From the date of organization on January 18, 1863 until it disbanded near the South Carolina line on April 27, 1865, the Fifth Regiment of the South Carolina Cavalry was reduced from 1200 to 150 men still answering muster. In other words, about seven out of eight men who started out were not with the unit regiment when it disbanded. From May 16, 1864 at Drewy's Bluff until October 27, 1864 at Burgess Mill, the 5th SCC lost over 400 men and officers not including 50 captured.

The Regiment like many other Confederate units, usually fought against severe odds, many times the Federal units were fresh and had twice the number of men or more.  Almost always the Federals were better equipped and rationed. Considering the odds, this regiment had an amazing war record.

The 5th Regiment and its predecessor units performed duty on the coast of S C from        November 16, 1861 until April 1864 when it was ordered to Virginia and saw only light action until then.  The Regiment's primary fighting was from April to November 1864 in the Richmond‑Petersburg areas of Virginia and from January until the end of the war in April 1865 in SC and NC. 

It was in almost daily contact with General Grant’s troops from May 16th to October 27, 1864 and with General Sherman’s Army from February 17th until the end of the war

BG WILLIS was at Cold Harbor with the 5^th SCC, which was the first Confederate unit to engage the enemy.  The Federals lost 12,000 men during this battle and it was the one Grant said he wished he hadn’t fought.  BG Willis was also at Trevillian Station, which was the largest pure cavalry battle of the war.

B. G. Willis was wounded at least three times, once by his own troops.  He was Orderly Sergeant and later Lieutenant of Company C, Fifth Regiment SCC.  This company was from Colleton County. The Fifth Regiment never surrendered.  It disbanded in N.C. near the S.C. line on April 27, 1865.  B.G. Willis was with the Regiment at that time.  He was twenty‑three years old.

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TO THE MEMORY OF CAPTAIN WILLIS

A Life That Was Honorable, Faithful, and True

February 13,1842 and August 2, 1904, mark the beginning and the ending of the earthly life of Capt. B. G. Willis-- a life that was honorable, faithful, and true; a life that was useful and helpful in the home, in the community, and in the church; a life whose influences for good will long be felt in the community among all classes, young and old, white and colored.

     Capt. Willis was converted in early life and joined the Methodist Church, of which he remained a faithful and useful member to the day of his death more than forty years.

     At one time he was class leader in his church, and in this capacity he rendered faithful and efficient service. Later he was appointed steward, which position he filled successfully to the close of his life.

     On the 31st of Dec. 1863, Mr. Willis and Miss Carrie Risher were united in marriage.  As a result of this union twelve children were born, of whom there are nine living. Dr. R.A. Willis of Greenwood, Fla.; Dr. A. E. Willis of Apalachicola, Fla.; Dr. J.H. Willis of Quincy, Fla.; Mr. B. H. Willis of Bascom, Fla.; Mrs. Hattie M. Shieder of Grover, Dorchester County; and the other four, Thomas, Lee, Lala, and Mike live near Cottageville with their mother.

     At the beginning of the Civil War, when a mere youth, Mr. Willis enlisted in Col. William Heyward’s regiment of Infantry, which was stationed for a short time at Bay Point. (Note: Bay Point is on Edisto Island: TMA)

     After about three months' service this regiment was forced to retreat to Hardeeville.  He then joined the Fifth South Carolina Cavalry, connecting himself with Company C.

      He was first Orderly Sergeant and later promoted to a lieutenancy, which position he filled creditably to the end of the war.

      His regiment was stationed on James Island and after remaining for sometime in the vicinity of Charleston was sent to Virginia.  Mr. Willis was in several engagements near Richmond and once was carried from the battlefield severely wounded in the right arm.  He was sent home on furlough where he remained until he was able to return to his regiment and resume service with his company.

     He was also in the battles of Trevillian Station, Haws's Shop and Cold Harbor.

     Later he was in Johnston's Army which retreated from Virginia through North Carolina, being closely pursued by Sherman's Army.  He was in the engagement at Bentonville.  His company, of which G.W. Raysor was the captain, disbanded near Hillsboro, N.C. sometime in May 1865.

     Throughout the entire war, in those times which tried men's souls, Lieutenant Willis was faithful and true, never shirking duty, always holding in a large degree the respect and confidence of his men and officers.

     He did not, like many of the young men, give up his faith in God, turn his back upon the church during the time he spent in the army, but came out with a positive religious experience, with an unsullied Christian character.  It is needless to attempt to give any elaborate account of his life.  In the community in which he lived for more than sixty years, that life has told its own story and left its impress upon all with whom he came in contact and touch, young and old.

     He dearly loved children and they in turn loved him.  He knew how to get into their sympathy and confidence and never seemed happier than when in their company.

     In the large crowd, which gathered to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased, there were children, some of them very young and tender in years.  And at the conclusion of the funeral service when many stepped up to take a last look and drop a tear it was a pathetic scene, that of the children who stood around and with eyes moist with tears, looked at the face of their old friend who loved them and so often played with them.

     As a husband and father, Capt. Willis was devoted and true; as a friend and neighbor, he was reliable and sincere; as a Christian and an official of his church, he was earnest and faithful.

     He has left his children, his family and his friends the legacy of a good name, an honorable life an untarnished Christian character.

      He will be missed in the home, in the community and in the church.  We are glad that his life was spent in this community that we have known him and been associated with him.  He helped to make others happy and his community better.  Yes, he did good things, not dream them all daylong, and so helped to make life, death and that vast forever one grand sweet song.