Preston, Brig. Gen. John Smith

Brigadier-General John Smith Preston was born at Salt Works, near Abingdon, Va., on April 20, 1809, of Irish descent, his ancestors having emigrated from Donegal, Ireland, in the early part of the seventeenth century. He was educated at Hampden-Sidney college and graduated at that institution in 1824. He then studied law at the university of Virginia and Harvard college. In 1830 he married Caroline, daughter of Gen. Wade Hampton, and settled at Abingdon, Va., where he began the practice of his profession, but later removed to Columbia, S.C. He was engaged for several years in sugar planting in Louisiana, also devoted a great deal of his time to literary pursuits, and the collection of paintings and statuary. His interest in art led him to assist many struggling young men of genius, notably Hiram Powers, who in appreciation, gave him the replica of the "Greek Slave." General Preston was a distinguished orator, and made many brilliant addresses, among them the speech of welcome to the Palmetto regiment on its return from the Mexican war in 1848. He was an ardent secessionist, and in May, 1860, was chairman of the South Carolina delegation to the Democratic convention that met at Charleston. After the election of President Lincoln, he was a commissioner to Virginia, and in February, 1861, made an eloquent plea in favor of the withdrawal of that State from the Union. He entered the Confederate army, and served on the staff of General Beauregard during 1861 and 1862, receiving special commendation for efficiency in the first battle of Bull Run. He was promoted, June 10, 1864, brigadier-general in the provisional army of the Confederate States, and placed in charge of the bureau of conscription, in which office he rendered valuable service. He went to England shortly after the war, and remained several years. After his return he delivered an address at a commencement of the university of Virginia, which, as a fervent assertion of the right of secession, incurred the severe criticism of the Northern press. His last appearance as an orator was on the occasion of unveiling the Confederate monument at Columbia.
REF: Confederate Military History Vol. 5, pg. 416

Wm. C. Preston, son of Col. J[ohn] S[mith] Preston, was buried in Col'a So. Ca. July 23, 1864. He was Major of Artillery in the army of Gen'l Johnston, after Atlanta Georgia, and was killed in battle July 20, 1864. He was a gallant young man and has met an early death. Thus, are our young men, one by one, slain by the ruthless invaders of the Confederacy, and very many in our city, have drunk of this bitter cup to its very dregs. Many more will have to weep and mourn ere the foe is driven from our midst. One reflection however is very consolatory. "God tempers the storm to the shorn lamb;"and in his own time, in his own way, and by his own means, he will close this horrid warfare, now [p.65] blighting, destroying, devastating and up-rooting the finest portions of our land. "How long! Oh, Lord how long, shall we abide thy coming.

Broken Fortunes gives his date of death as 21 JUL 1864 at Peachtree Creek, GA. William is buried in Trinity Cemetery in Columbia, SC.

REF: Glass - Record of Deaths
Kirkland - Broken Fortunes

The Civil War in South Carolina
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