John C. Simpkins Annals of Newberry, by John A. Chapman, page 582-83 Lieutnant colonel John C. Simpkins, whose name appears on our monument as one of the fallen soldiers of Newberry, was a son of Honorable Eldred Simkins, long a member of Congress from Edgefield District" and was born at Edgefield Court House on the 11 th day of March, 1827. He attended school at Edgefield and at Greenwood, South Carolina. He was not a graduate of any college or university; in fact, never attended either. But instead, although only about eighteen years of age at the commencement of the Mexican war, he volunteered as a private in Captain Brooks' Company D -- of the Palmetto Regiment. During the cam­ paign he was transferred to the Twelfth United States Regular Infantry, and as Captain in that Regiment distinguished himself at the battle of Churubusco, where he received two wounds. He was recommended to the Government for a brevet "for gallant and meritorious conduct." At the close of the Mexican war he returned to civil life - that of a planter. In 1830 be married Rosalie, daughter of Judge Wardlaw, of AbbevilIe, and continued to live in Edgefield District until about a year before the war between the States, when he bought from the Chappells a plantation ia Newberry District on the Saluda River about a mile above Chappell's Depot. This plantation is part of what is known as Maxwell's Neck. As soon as the State seceded and war was inevitable, be was amongst the first to offer his services to Governor Pickens. He was immediately appointed Captain in the First South Carolina Regular Infantry. His Regiment was employed largely as Artillery. As Commander of Battery Bee on Sullivan's Island he did good service in the repulse of the ironclads in the naval attack on Charleston, April 7th, 1863, when the Keokuk was sunk. By successive promotions he became Lieutenant Colonel of his Regiment. On the 10th of July, 1863, be, with tbree companies of the Regiment, Captains Haskell, Adams and Tatum, was ordered to Battery Wagner, our advanced post on Morris Island. Here he acted as Chief of Artillery, and he and his devoted little band without rest or sleep stood under a terrific bombardment until the night of July 18th, 1863, when the enemy in overwhelming numbers landed and assaulted the works.. They were, however, repulsed with heavy loss. In that night assault, at about 9 o'clock, Col. Simkins fell pierced through the right lung by a minnie ball. Captains Haskell and Tatum were also killed during that engagement and Captain Adams severely wounded. Colonel Simkins was thirty-six years old at the time of bis death, and left a widow, four sons and, a daughter surviving him. In his official relations he was strict but just. A born soldier, he was devoted to his profession. Although a good disciplinarian, he was respected and beloved by bis comrades. He was very modest and retiring but warm-hearted, frank and true. His purity of heart was shown in bis exceeding fondness for children whose company he would seek.