Dixon Barnes

Barnes was born in the Kershaw District of South Carolina on October 9, 1816. He graduated from South Carolina College in 1838 and was a wealthy planter prior to the War.

Barnes enlisted as captain of I company of the 12th South Carolina on August 28, 1861. He rose to the rank of colonel by April 2, 1862.

He was cited for conspicious bravery during the Seven Days battles by A.P. Hill and fought with his usual gallantry at Second Manassas.

During the Maryland Campaign the courtly, white haired Colonel Dixon Barnes had been put under arrest by Jackson for allowing his hungry men to take apples from a tree against orders. Although Barnes begged to be allowed to even serve in the ranks, Gregg felt he could not go over Jackson's head and release Barnes from the arrest. Pale and stern faced, Hill said "General Gregg, I order you to give Colonel Barnes his sword and put him in command of his Regiment." Barnes was thus placed back in command of the 12th South Carolina. It was noted that Hill was wrong to do restore Barnes to command over Jackson's head, but "the case would stir the heart of a rock." Barnes was mortally wounded, shot through the thigh, at the head of his regiment at Sharpsburg and died several days later on September 27, 1862 in Winchester, a hero. A soldier later recalled that "no officer in the brigade executed so many brilliant and successful charges as he" and that as a "skillful officer, a brave soldier, an honest man, his name deserves to be recorded in the first list of those who gave their lives for the Southern Confederacy."