Transcript of  CSA service record of Jasper/Joseph Newton Sears, Pendleton, SC; reference: “Compiled Service Records,” NARS Microcopy #267, Roll #186 [SC reference: TP: 20-030597.04].  Received March 29, 1997, from Reference Archivist Patrick McCawley, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1430 Senate St., Columbia, SC. — (Contributed by Ilene Jones-Cornwell)

                                                                                                      Camp Palmetto Sharp Shooters

                                                                                                      Near Richmond, Va.

                                                                                                      7^th August 1862

Mr. William Sears—Dear Sir:  Continued sickness has prevented me until now from officially announcing the death of your son, Private J. N. Sears, of this Company.  He was killed dead at this place in the Battle of Gaines Mill June 30^th, 1862.  He fought most manfully until he was killed, as he had done in all the engagements previous.  He was a brave soldier, a pleasant companion, a noble patriot, and a hero in death.  The officers and privates of this Company tender you and your family their sincere sympathy in your sad affliction.  I send you an acct. of the money due him by the Govern’t.  By applying to the Ordinary of Pickens or Elijah Webb at Anderson, you can get all the papers and instructions  [illegible word]  to instruct you how to draw the money in person or by attorney.

     I think some of your son’s friends here have his box and clothes in charge to send to you.

                                                                                                      Yours Respectfully,

                                                                                                      Warran  D.  Wilkes

The Confederate States

                 To [Re:] J. N. Sears   D’c.

To  pay  as  a  Private  from  31^st  Dec’r.  1861  to  1^st July  1862,

                 6 months at $11.00  per month  _____________________  $66.00

                 Commutation [Ammunition?]  clothing[illegible word]                 6-months/62 ______________   $25.00

                                                                                     Amt. Due      $91.00

I certify on honor that the above is a correct transcript from the Records of the Company.

                                                                                     Warran  D.  Wilkes

                                                                                     Brevet. 2^nd Lieut. Comd’g Company L

                                                                                     Palmetto  Sharp  Shooters

Camp near Richmond, Va.

7^th August 1862

Listed on two Company Muster-in Rolls, 1861:

1) Joseph Newton Sears

      Private, Co. K, 4^th Reg’t SC Vols., June 2 to 7, 1861

      Mustered in at Pendleton, SC

2) Joseph Newton Sears

      Private, Capt. J. L. Shanklin’s Co.

      4^th Reg’t South Carolina Volunteers

Age  23  years

      Company Muster-in Roll

      Columbia, S. C. --  June 7, 1861

[Printed note on bottom of record:  “This company subsequently became Company K, 4^th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry.  The 4^th Regiment South Carolina Infantry, with ten companies, A to J, was enrolled April 14, 1861, for twelve months.  Soon afterward Company A was transferred to the 3^rd (Palmetto) Regiment South Carolina Infantry and mustered into the service of the Confederate States as Captain A. D. Hoke’s Company, which subsequently became Company B of the organization.

    “Company K was enrolled June 2, 1861, and the regiment was mustered into the service of the Confederate States June 7, 1861.  At expiration of the original term of enlistment, the regiment was disbanded, some of the members subsequently serving in Companies B, C, I and L, Palmetto Regiment, South Carolina Sharp Shooters, and others in the 13^th (also called 4^th) Battalion South Carolina Infantry.”]