CSA
"CPT Randall Croft, CSA, Class of 1861, The Citadel - He pulled the lanyard on the cannon assigned to #2 battery on Morris Island credited with being the first shot to actually hit the federal ship, Star Of The West, January 9, 1861. In all, 17 rounds were fired and 3 hit the ship. Croft then served with the 16th S.C. Infantry." Died from battlefield disease.
Son of Theodore Gaillard and Eliza Webb Croft.
Died, at the residence of his father, near Aiken, SC, on 26th July, in the 23d year of his age, Lieut. Randall Croft, 1st Regiment South Carolina Artillery, from typhoid fever, contracted while at his post on duty.
No more gallant, noble and lovable spirit has yet been yielded in the defense of liberty, home and honor. A distinguished graduate of our State Military Academy, he entered into our present struggle for liberty with his whole soul, and, from the very first blow that was struck, firing on the "Star of the West," where, as a cadet, he commanded one of the guns, to the day of his death, he was always in the service.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter he commanded a gunboat in the harbor. Afterwards, having no position, yet a military education and decided capability, his proud spirit and strong sense of duty would not allow him to remain home. He longed to be in the field, and accordingly, setting a noble example, volunteered as a private in the "Edgefield Hussars", Hampton's Legion, and shared with them all the dangers and exposure of the first campaign in Virginia; then, having received the commission of 1st Lieutenant in the South Carolina Regular Artillery, he joined his regiment and remained with it, constantly on duty, until the date of his last sickness.
In his death, the service has, indeed, lost a gallant and efficient officer, who, even in the delirium of his last moments, imagined himself still with his men, fighting his country's enemies, and gave expression to the sentiments which had been his guiding stars through life - "Honor, honor, duty, duty;" the State one who would never have deserted her; his friends, one whom it was impossible to know without loving - a true friend in any and every emergency; one of whom writes this feeble tribute to his memory, and begs to sympathize with his family in this their grief. But he died as he should. "God Receive his spirit." - Published in The Charleston Mercury
The following was researched and sourced by contributor #49866255, RNPSeigler:
"Randell Croft graduated from The Citadel, S.C. Military Academy, in April 1861. He commanded Gun #2, Star of the West Battery at Morris Island Jan 9, 1861, while still a student. He also commanded a gunboat in Charleston Harbor during the siege of Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Randell Croft, (the elder) wrote to Jefferson Davis on September 3, 1861, seeking a commission for Randell Croft, (the younger), referring to Randell Croft as "my nephew" and as a graduate of the State Military Academy the previous April. He signed "Randell Croft" (roll 58, page 33).
At the age of 21, Randell Croft enlisted as a private in the Edgefield Hussars, Capt. J.J. Bunch's Co A, Cavalry Battalion, Hampton Legion, at Edgefield, S.C., on June 6, 1861, for 12 months (roll 58, page 29).
He was appointed 1st Lt, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, January 2, 1862. He was discharged from the Hampton Legion January 16, 1862, because of his promotion to 1st Lt. He was assigned to Company I, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery.
He was present on Company I muster roll for Feb 17/March 1, 1862, as commanding Company I.
He was on detached service recruiting and absent on the muster roll for March/April 1862.
He returned from recruiting June 3, 1862, and was present on the muster roll for May/June 1862.
He died of typhoid fever at his father's home, Pine Forrest, in Edgefield District near Aiken, S.C., July 26, 1862. Some CSR records show the date of death as July 25, 1862.
His father was Dr. Theodore G. Croft. His first name was Randell, but is shown variously as Randall, Randell, Randol, and Randolph. He had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet, 8 inches tall." - RNPSeigler
For the 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 58, Randell Croft, pages 1-40.
For the Hampton Legion, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 364, Randell Croft, pages 1-7.
"CPT Randall Croft, CSA, Class of 1861, The Citadel - He pulled the lanyard on the cannon assigned to #2 battery on Morris Island credited with being the first shot to actually hit the federal ship, Star Of The West, January 9, 1861. In all, 17 rounds were fired and 3 hit the ship. Croft then served with the 16th S.C. Infantry." Died from battlefield disease.
Son of Theodore Gaillard and Eliza Webb Croft.
Died, at the residence of his father, near Aiken, SC, on 26th July, in the 23d year of his age, Lieut. Randall Croft, 1st Regiment South Carolina Artillery, from typhoid fever, contracted while at his post on duty.
No more gallant, noble and lovable spirit has yet been yielded in the defense of liberty, home and honor. A distinguished graduate of our State Military Academy, he entered into our present struggle for liberty with his whole soul, and, from the very first blow that was struck, firing on the "Star of the West," where, as a cadet, he commanded one of the guns, to the day of his death, he was always in the service.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter he commanded a gunboat in the harbor. Afterwards, having no position, yet a military education and decided capability, his proud spirit and strong sense of duty would not allow him to remain home. He longed to be in the field, and accordingly, setting a noble example, volunteered as a private in the "Edgefield Hussars", Hampton's Legion, and shared with them all the dangers and exposure of the first campaign in Virginia; then, having received the commission of 1st Lieutenant in the South Carolina Regular Artillery, he joined his regiment and remained with it, constantly on duty, until the date of his last sickness.
In his death, the service has, indeed, lost a gallant and efficient officer, who, even in the delirium of his last moments, imagined himself still with his men, fighting his country's enemies, and gave expression to the sentiments which had been his guiding stars through life - "Honor, honor, duty, duty;" the State one who would never have deserted her; his friends, one whom it was impossible to know without loving - a true friend in any and every emergency; one of whom writes this feeble tribute to his memory, and begs to sympathize with his family in this their grief. But he died as he should. "God Receive his spirit." - Published in The Charleston Mercury
The following was researched and sourced by contributor #49866255, RNPSeigler:
"Randell Croft graduated from The Citadel, S.C. Military Academy, in April 1861. He commanded Gun #2, Star of the West Battery at Morris Island Jan 9, 1861, while still a student. He also commanded a gunboat in Charleston Harbor during the siege of Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Randell Croft, (the elder) wrote to Jefferson Davis on September 3, 1861, seeking a commission for Randell Croft, (the younger), referring to Randell Croft as "my nephew" and as a graduate of the State Military Academy the previous April. He signed "Randell Croft" (roll 58, page 33).
At the age of 21, Randell Croft enlisted as a private in the Edgefield Hussars, Capt. J.J. Bunch's Co A, Cavalry Battalion, Hampton Legion, at Edgefield, S.C., on June 6, 1861, for 12 months (roll 58, page 29).
He was appointed 1st Lt, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, January 2, 1862. He was discharged from the Hampton Legion January 16, 1862, because of his promotion to 1st Lt. He was assigned to Company I, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery.
He was present on Company I muster roll for Feb 17/March 1, 1862, as commanding Company I.
He was on detached service recruiting and absent on the muster roll for March/April 1862.
He returned from recruiting June 3, 1862, and was present on the muster roll for May/June 1862.
He died of typhoid fever at his father's home, Pine Forrest, in Edgefield District near Aiken, S.C., July 26, 1862. Some CSR records show the date of death as July 25, 1862.
His father was Dr. Theodore G. Croft. His first name was Randell, but is shown variously as Randall, Randell, Randol, and Randolph. He had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet, 8 inches tall." - RNPSeigler
For the 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 58, Randell Croft, pages 1-40.
For the Hampton Legion, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 364, Randell Croft, pages 1-7.
CSA
"CPT Randall Croft, CSA, Class of 1861, The Citadel - He pulled the lanyard on the cannon assigned to #2 battery on Morris Island credited with being the first shot to actually hit the federal ship, Star Of The West, January 9, 1861. In all, 17 rounds were fired and 3 hit the ship. Croft then served with the 16th S.C. Infantry." Died from battlefield disease.
Son of Theodore Gaillard and Eliza Webb Croft.
Died, at the residence of his father, near Aiken, SC, on 26th July, in the 23d year of his age, Lieut. Randall Croft, 1st Regiment South Carolina Artillery, from typhoid fever, contracted while at his post on duty.
No more gallant, noble and lovable spirit has yet been yielded in the defense of liberty, home and honor. A distinguished graduate of our State Military Academy, he entered into our present struggle for liberty with his whole soul, and, from the very first blow that was struck, firing on the "Star of the West," where, as a cadet, he commanded one of the guns, to the day of his death, he was always in the service.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter he commanded a gunboat in the harbor. Afterwards, having no position, yet a military education and decided capability, his proud spirit and strong sense of duty would not allow him to remain home. He longed to be in the field, and accordingly, setting a noble example, volunteered as a private in the "Edgefield Hussars", Hampton's Legion, and shared with them all the dangers and exposure of the first campaign in Virginia; then, having received the commission of 1st Lieutenant in the South Carolina Regular Artillery, he joined his regiment and remained with it, constantly on duty, until the date of his last sickness.
In his death, the service has, indeed, lost a gallant and efficient officer, who, even in the delirium of his last moments, imagined himself still with his men, fighting his country's enemies, and gave expression to the sentiments which had been his guiding stars through life - "Honor, honor, duty, duty;" the State one who would never have deserted her; his friends, one whom it was impossible to know without loving - a true friend in any and every emergency; one of whom writes this feeble tribute to his memory, and begs to sympathize with his family in this their grief. But he died as he should. "God Receive his spirit." - Published in The Charleston Mercury
The following was researched and sourced by contributor #49866255, RNPSeigler:
"Randell Croft graduated from The Citadel, S.C. Military Academy, in April 1861. He commanded Gun #2, Star of the West Battery at Morris Island Jan 9, 1861, while still a student. He also commanded a gunboat in Charleston Harbor during the siege of Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Randell Croft, (the elder) wrote to Jefferson Davis on September 3, 1861, seeking a commission for Randell Croft, (the younger), referring to Randell Croft as "my nephew" and as a graduate of the State Military Academy the previous April. He signed "Randell Croft" (roll 58, page 33).
At the age of 21, Randell Croft enlisted as a private in the Edgefield Hussars, Capt. J.J. Bunch's Co A, Cavalry Battalion, Hampton Legion, at Edgefield, S.C., on June 6, 1861, for 12 months (roll 58, page 29).
He was appointed 1st Lt, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, January 2, 1862. He was discharged from the Hampton Legion January 16, 1862, because of his promotion to 1st Lt. He was assigned to Company I, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery.
He was present on Company I muster roll for Feb 17/March 1, 1862, as commanding Company I.
He was on detached service recruiting and absent on the muster roll for March/April 1862.
He returned from recruiting June 3, 1862, and was present on the muster roll for May/June 1862.
He died of typhoid fever at his father's home, Pine Forrest, in Edgefield District near Aiken, S.C., July 26, 1862. Some CSR records show the date of death as July 25, 1862.
His father was Dr. Theodore G. Croft. His first name was Randell, but is shown variously as Randall, Randell, Randol, and Randolph. He had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet, 8 inches tall." - RNPSeigler
For the 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 58, Randell Croft, pages 1-40.
For the Hampton Legion, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 364, Randell Croft, pages 1-7.
"CPT Randall Croft, CSA, Class of 1861, The Citadel - He pulled the lanyard on the cannon assigned to #2 battery on Morris Island credited with being the first shot to actually hit the federal ship, Star Of The West, January 9, 1861. In all, 17 rounds were fired and 3 hit the ship. Croft then served with the 16th S.C. Infantry." Died from battlefield disease.
Son of Theodore Gaillard and Eliza Webb Croft.
Died, at the residence of his father, near Aiken, SC, on 26th July, in the 23d year of his age, Lieut. Randall Croft, 1st Regiment South Carolina Artillery, from typhoid fever, contracted while at his post on duty.
No more gallant, noble and lovable spirit has yet been yielded in the defense of liberty, home and honor. A distinguished graduate of our State Military Academy, he entered into our present struggle for liberty with his whole soul, and, from the very first blow that was struck, firing on the "Star of the West," where, as a cadet, he commanded one of the guns, to the day of his death, he was always in the service.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter he commanded a gunboat in the harbor. Afterwards, having no position, yet a military education and decided capability, his proud spirit and strong sense of duty would not allow him to remain home. He longed to be in the field, and accordingly, setting a noble example, volunteered as a private in the "Edgefield Hussars", Hampton's Legion, and shared with them all the dangers and exposure of the first campaign in Virginia; then, having received the commission of 1st Lieutenant in the South Carolina Regular Artillery, he joined his regiment and remained with it, constantly on duty, until the date of his last sickness.
In his death, the service has, indeed, lost a gallant and efficient officer, who, even in the delirium of his last moments, imagined himself still with his men, fighting his country's enemies, and gave expression to the sentiments which had been his guiding stars through life - "Honor, honor, duty, duty;" the State one who would never have deserted her; his friends, one whom it was impossible to know without loving - a true friend in any and every emergency; one of whom writes this feeble tribute to his memory, and begs to sympathize with his family in this their grief. But he died as he should. "God Receive his spirit." - Published in The Charleston Mercury
The following was researched and sourced by contributor #49866255, RNPSeigler:
"Randell Croft graduated from The Citadel, S.C. Military Academy, in April 1861. He commanded Gun #2, Star of the West Battery at Morris Island Jan 9, 1861, while still a student. He also commanded a gunboat in Charleston Harbor during the siege of Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Randell Croft, (the elder) wrote to Jefferson Davis on September 3, 1861, seeking a commission for Randell Croft, (the younger), referring to Randell Croft as "my nephew" and as a graduate of the State Military Academy the previous April. He signed "Randell Croft" (roll 58, page 33).
At the age of 21, Randell Croft enlisted as a private in the Edgefield Hussars, Capt. J.J. Bunch's Co A, Cavalry Battalion, Hampton Legion, at Edgefield, S.C., on June 6, 1861, for 12 months (roll 58, page 29).
He was appointed 1st Lt, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, January 2, 1862. He was discharged from the Hampton Legion January 16, 1862, because of his promotion to 1st Lt. He was assigned to Company I, 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery.
He was present on Company I muster roll for Feb 17/March 1, 1862, as commanding Company I.
He was on detached service recruiting and absent on the muster roll for March/April 1862.
He returned from recruiting June 3, 1862, and was present on the muster roll for May/June 1862.
He died of typhoid fever at his father's home, Pine Forrest, in Edgefield District near Aiken, S.C., July 26, 1862. Some CSR records show the date of death as July 25, 1862.
His father was Dr. Theodore G. Croft. His first name was Randell, but is shown variously as Randall, Randell, Randol, and Randolph. He had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet, 8 inches tall." - RNPSeigler
For the 1st Regiment, S.C. Artillery, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 58, Randell Croft, pages 1-40.
For the Hampton Legion, see Compiled Service Records Microcopy No. 267, roll 364, Randell Croft, pages 1-7.
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