Robert Clayton Maffett
Encyclopedia
Robert Clayton Maffett was a colonel
in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
.
, Ireland
, under the leadership of Reverend John Renwick of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. They were part of the massive (25,000) group of landless Scots-Irish who left Ulster
in the period 1771-1775 searching for religious freedom and economic opportunity. The Maffetts propered in their new home and James H. Maffett (1795–1880), Robert's father, was a successful farmer and long-time member of the state legislature.
Robert Maffett's first wife, Ann Lavinia Gallman, died in 1860. He fathered a single child, Florence, who was born in 1856.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Maffett enrolled in the "Pickens Guards," (Company C of the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment) on April 14, 1861, at Frog Level (now Prosperity, South Carolina
). He was elected captain. For much of the war, the regiment
formed part of Kershaw
's Brigade in McLaws
' Division of the Army of Northern Virginia
under General Robert E. Lee
. Maffett and the regiment participated in no less than 28 major engagements. A full 45% (298) of its members were killed and another 698 wounded. Among those killed were six Maffetts from Newberry, South Carolina
.
After seeing action at Savage's Station
and Malvern Hill
, Maffet and the 3rd were held in reserve at Antietam
during Lee's first invasion of the North
. Later in 1862, Captain Maffett was a patient in Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond
while recovering from typhoid fever
. In December 1862, at the Battle of Fredericksburg
, Maffet, by now a major
, and the 3rd were positioned on Mayre's Heights above the famous stonewall manned by Cobb's Legion
. Seven of the 3rd's officers were wounded at Fredericksburg, including Maffett. Shortly thereafter, his wounds not being serious, he returned home to marry Sarah Halfacre.
In April 1863, the 3rd was engaged in the Battle of Chancellorsville
. On the last day of fighting, somewhere in the deep woods, Major Maffett and several other members of the 3rd were captured by members of the 122nd Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvanians tried to convince Maffett to surrender his sword peacefully, but the major refused to do so except to an officer of similar rank. Private Henry Nixdorf pointed a rifle at Maffett and said, "Are you going to unstrap that sword, or rather take the consequences of being run through with this bayonet?" Maffett reluctantly surrendered his pearl-handled dress sword. Maffett soon escaped his captors in the confusion of battle and what happened to his sword is unrecorded.
In June 1863, the South Carolinians, a part of the First Corps of James Longstreet
, were camped near the small Pennsylvania college town of Gettysburg
. On July 2, the second day
of the battle, the soldiers of Kershaw's Brigade leapt over a stone wall in an unsuccessful attempt to silence Federal artillery along the Wheatfield Road. The 3rd and 7th South Carolina proceeded straight across the Rose Farm to the Stony Hill. A Federal counterattack soon drove them back. From Major Maffett's battle report, "In this position the enemy advanced to within 30 yards of us, and, for more than one hour we held him in check, notwithstanding the repeated reinforcements brought up by him." The 3rd South Carolina itself was reinforced by 40 men of the 5th Georgia. He continued, "We remained in this position, under a heavy fire of musketry at short range in front, and an enfilading fire of grape and shrapnel from batteries that the left had failed entirely in silencing, until about dusk, when we were ordered by General Kershaw back to another line a short distance in our rear. Thus ended the fight for the day."
In September 1863, the 3rd was in northern Georgia at the Battle of Chickamauga
. It was heavily engaged at Snodgrass Hill, where Union General William H. Thomas
made his famous stand, thus saving the Union Army
from total collapse. After participating in the Battle of Knoxville
, the 3rd returned to Virginia
and saw action in 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness
, where Col. James D. Nance, commander of the 3rd was killed. Afterwards, Maffett was promoted to lieutenant colonel
.
On August 26, 1864, while on picket line in Halltown, West Virginia
, Lt. Col. Maffett and about 100 men of the 15th South Carolina were captured by Philip H. Sheridan's Federal cavalry. He was sent to the military prison at Fort Delaware
in the middle of the Delaware River
in New Jersey
. He died there of chronic dysentery
on April 26, 1865, just seven days after the surrender of General Lee's army at Appomattox Courthouse. The only comment other than the cause of his death was that he "left no effects." The location of his grave is unknown.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Maffett was born in Newberry County, South Carolina. The Maffetts are thought to have arrived in Newberry County in 1772 with a group of immigrants from County AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, under the leadership of Reverend John Renwick of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. They were part of the massive (25,000) group of landless Scots-Irish who left Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
in the period 1771-1775 searching for religious freedom and economic opportunity. The Maffetts propered in their new home and James H. Maffett (1795–1880), Robert's father, was a successful farmer and long-time member of the state legislature.
Robert Maffett's first wife, Ann Lavinia Gallman, died in 1860. He fathered a single child, Florence, who was born in 1856.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Maffett enrolled in the "Pickens Guards," (Company C of the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment) on April 14, 1861, at Frog Level (now Prosperity, South Carolina
Prosperity, South Carolina
Prosperity is a town in Newberry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,047 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prosperity is located at ....
). He was elected captain. For much of the war, the regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
formed part of Kershaw
Joseph B. Kershaw
Joseph Brevard Kershaw was a lawyer, judge, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
's Brigade in McLaws
Lafayette McLaws
Lafayette McLaws was a United States Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
' Division of the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
under General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
. Maffett and the regiment participated in no less than 28 major engagements. A full 45% (298) of its members were killed and another 698 wounded. Among those killed were six Maffetts from Newberry, South Carolina
Newberry, South Carolina
Newberry is a city in Newberry County, South Carolina, 43 miles west -northwest of Columbia. The charter was adopted in 1894. In 1890, 3,020 people lived in Newberry, South Carolina; in 1900, 4,607; in 1910, 5,028; and in 1940, 7,510. The population was 10,580 at the 2000 census. It is the county...
.
After seeing action at Savage's Station
Battle of Savage's Station
The Battle of Savage's Station took place on June 29, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as fourth of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. The main body of the Union Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River. Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Magruder pursued...
and Malvern Hill
Battle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
, Maffet and the 3rd were held in reserve at Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
during Lee's first invasion of the North
Maryland Campaign
The Maryland Campaign, or the Antietam Campaign is widely considered one of the major turning points of the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North was repulsed by Maj. Gen. George B...
. Later in 1862, Captain Maffett was a patient in Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
while recovering from typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
. In December 1862, at the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
, Maffet, by now a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
, and the 3rd were positioned on Mayre's Heights above the famous stonewall manned by Cobb's Legion
Cobb's Legion
Cobb's Legion was an American Civil War unit that was raised on the Confederate side from the State of Georgia by Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb during the summer of 1861. A "legion" consisted of a single integrated command, with individual components from the infantry, cavalry, and artillery...
. Seven of the 3rd's officers were wounded at Fredericksburg, including Maffett. Shortly thereafter, his wounds not being serious, he returned home to marry Sarah Halfacre.
In April 1863, the 3rd was engaged in the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
. On the last day of fighting, somewhere in the deep woods, Major Maffett and several other members of the 3rd were captured by members of the 122nd Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvanians tried to convince Maffett to surrender his sword peacefully, but the major refused to do so except to an officer of similar rank. Private Henry Nixdorf pointed a rifle at Maffett and said, "Are you going to unstrap that sword, or rather take the consequences of being run through with this bayonet?" Maffett reluctantly surrendered his pearl-handled dress sword. Maffett soon escaped his captors in the confusion of battle and what happened to his sword is unrecorded.
In June 1863, the South Carolinians, a part of the First Corps of James Longstreet
James Longstreet
James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse." He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the...
, were camped near the small Pennsylvania college town of Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a borough that is the county seat, part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and the eponym for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park and has 3 institutions of higher learning: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg College, and...
. On July 2, the second day
Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day
The Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day was an attempt by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to capitalize on his first day's success. He launched the Army of Northern Virginia in multiple Gettsyburg Battlefield attacks on the flanks of the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George G...
of the battle, the soldiers of Kershaw's Brigade leapt over a stone wall in an unsuccessful attempt to silence Federal artillery along the Wheatfield Road. The 3rd and 7th South Carolina proceeded straight across the Rose Farm to the Stony Hill. A Federal counterattack soon drove them back. From Major Maffett's battle report, "In this position the enemy advanced to within 30 yards of us, and, for more than one hour we held him in check, notwithstanding the repeated reinforcements brought up by him." The 3rd South Carolina itself was reinforced by 40 men of the 5th Georgia. He continued, "We remained in this position, under a heavy fire of musketry at short range in front, and an enfilading fire of grape and shrapnel from batteries that the left had failed entirely in silencing, until about dusk, when we were ordered by General Kershaw back to another line a short distance in our rear. Thus ended the fight for the day."
In September 1863, the 3rd was in northern Georgia at the Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
. It was heavily engaged at Snodgrass Hill, where Union General William H. Thomas
William Holland Thomas
William Holland Thomas was Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War....
made his famous stand, thus saving the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
from total collapse. After participating in the Battle of Knoxville
Battle of Fort Sanders
The Battle of Fort Sanders was the decisive engagement of the Knoxville Campaign of the American Civil War, fought in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 29, 1863. Assaults by Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet failed to break through the defensive lines of Union Maj. Gen...
, the 3rd returned to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and saw action in 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, a harbinger of a bloody war of attrition by...
, where Col. James D. Nance, commander of the 3rd was killed. Afterwards, Maffett was promoted to lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
.
On August 26, 1864, while on picket line in Halltown, West Virginia
Halltown, West Virginia
Halltown is an unincorporated community along Flowing Springs Run in Jefferson County, West Virginia, USA. Halltown is located off of US 340 on West Virginia Route 230 between Charles Town and Bolivar. A few houses, a fork in the road, a tiny post office, and the large Halltown Paper Plant are the...
, Lt. Col. Maffett and about 100 men of the 15th South Carolina were captured by Philip H. Sheridan's Federal cavalry. He was sent to the military prison at Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware is a harbor defense facility, designed by Chief Engineer Joseph Gilbert Totten, and located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. During the American Civil War, the Union used Fort Delaware as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war, political prisoners, federal convicts, and...
in the middle of the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. He died there of chronic dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
on April 26, 1865, just seven days after the surrender of General Lee's army at Appomattox Courthouse. The only comment other than the cause of his death was that he "left no effects." The location of his grave is unknown.