The Rowan Tree   Military Records Page 2

Contributed by Lorene B. Barnett, PO Box 292, Greer, SC 29652

HISTORIC SKETCH OF THE "UNITED LAURENS RIFLEMEN"

This Volunteer Company of Riflemen was raised in the Upper Battalion of the 41st Regiment of South Carolina Militia, A.D. 1802, was organized by electing John Wright its first Captain, and appointed its rendezvous at Mr. Archibald Young’s Store.

Capt. Wright being promoted to the office of Major of the Battalion, he was succeeded by Capt. Robertson Moore. The third Captain of the Company was Reuben Martin, who was promoted to the office of Major. 4th Capt., Thomas Crook. 5th, William Hill, who was promoted to the office of Major and Colonel of the Regiment; 6th, Capt. Austin Moore; 7th, Capt. Jeremiah Martin, who commanded the Company in 1833, at which time an Act was passed by the Legislature to re-organize the Militia, which vacated the commissions of all the military officers of the State..

In 1834, this Company re-organized and elected Capt. Austin Moore (who had formerly commanded them) as their Captain. 'The Company was inspected and received into service, by Adjutant James Park and Col. F. Moseley, and appointed their place of rendezvous at Crymes’ Store, now known as Monroe Post Office. Capt. J.J. Atwood succeeded Capt. Moore, and was the 9th Captain of the company. During his command, the Company, in 1840, established their rendezvous at Atwood's Old Field, where it remains at the present time. Capt.-Atwood being promoted to Major of the Battalion, he was succeeded, 10th, by Capt. W.B. Owens; 11th, by Capt. R.R. Owens; 12th, by Capt. James Cook; 13th, by Capt. A. McDowell; 14th, by Capt. John W. Arnold, and 15tti, by Capt. Edmund H. Jones, who is its present commander.

By referring to the foregoing statement, we see that this Volunteer Company has been in continued existence for fifty-five years; has been commanded by only fourteen different Captains; and we are assured that during this long period of time, it has seldom numbered in its ranks under one hundred men--often above that number---which is its present strength. And further, by inquiring into the social relations and military character of the members of this Company, we find that they have marked, for the most part, by, kind and brotherly feelings towards each other, and a great desire to perform all their military duties in a manner calculated to sustain the character of men and soldiers who are, at all times, ready to maintain their rights and liberties as citizens, and the honor and glory of their country. May we not, therefore, brother soldiers, recommend to you, to your children, and to your children's children, to keep up this old and time-honored Company, in memory of our fathers, who established it; and to strive to make it not equal to what it has been, but to make it perfect in all things pertaining to a Volunteer Military Company of our beloved of State of South Carolina.

Committee: J.W. Atwood(-)Id:

J.J. Atwood

M.T. Wolff:

RESOLVED, That we, the "United Laurens Riflemen," do accept of the foregoing "Historical Sketch" of our Company, and order it to be recorded in our Company Book.

Adopted October 10, 1857

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