Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/782

730 partment. He was engaged at Blackburn s Ford, and would have had a prominent part in the battle of First Manassas if the Federal attack had not changed the plans. As it was, he was commended by Beauregard for the skillful execution of orders. He resigned in January, 1862, to serve the State as representative in the Confederate Congress, and was elected governor for the term of 1862 to 1864. Reappointed brigadier-general in February, 1865, he commanded a brigade of South Carolina cavalry until the close of the struggle. Subsequently he served in the legislature, and held the office of railroad commissioner at the time of his death, August 27, 1890.

Andrew Gordon Magrath, last governor of South Carolina during the Confederate period, was born at Charleston, February 8, 1813, the son of a soldier of the Irish revolution of 1798. He was graduated at South Carolina college in 1831, and then studied the law, completing his studies at Harvard university, under Judge Story. In 1840 and 1842 he was elected to the State legislature, but he subsequently devoted himself to the practice of his profession until 1856, when he was chosen a delegate at large to the national Democratic convention, but before the meeting of that body was called by President Pierce to the Federal bench as district judge of South Carolina. This position he held until the election of President Lincoln, when he promptly tendered his resignation to President Buchanan. In his letter of this effect, dated November 7th, he wrote: &quot;Should that conflict arise, I shall not hesitate in my conduct. I shall devote my best energies to sustain North Carolina in whatever position she may resolve to occupy in this crisis.&quot; This action by Judge Magrath was hailed throughout the State as a manly statement of public opinion, and a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Charleston to ratify and approve his declaration. He was at once elected a dele-