[
887]
Major William Gildersleeve Vardell was born in
Charleston, S. C., February 6, 1829.
In his early manhood he resided in New York city, but — in 1859 he married a Charleston lady and returned to that city to live.
He joined the
Charleston light dragoons, one of the crack companies of
South Carolina.
At the beginning of the war he entered the service in
Hatch's coast rangers, and on December 30, of that year, was appointed assistant quartermaster of the Twenty-third South Carolina regiment, his commission being signed by
George W. Randolph,
secretary of war.
During the course of the four years conflict he served from
Maryland to
Mississippi.
He was at the battle of
Second Manassas,
Boonsboro and
Sharpsburg, was with the army at
Winchester after the return to
Virginia, and went with his regiment to
Kinston, N. C., when
Foster made his raid from New Bern.
Next he went with the Twenty-third to
Wilmington and from there to
Mississippi, when
Gen. Joseph Johnston was trying to concentrate a force for the relief of
Vicksburg.
He was in the skirmishes under
Jackson, was then sent to
Isle of Hope, near
Savannah, Ga., and soon after was stationed at
Mount Pleasant, near
Charleston.
He was appointed brigade quartermaster November 13, 1863, with rank of major, his commission being signed by
James A. Siddon,
secretary of war.
He was assigned in this capacity to the brigade of
Gen. R. S. Ripley.
On the evacuation of
Charleston he had charge of the embarkation of troops at
Fort Moultrie.
He went with his brigade to join
Gen. Joe Johnston in
North Carolina and was present at the battle of
Averasboro.
After the surrender of the army under
Johnston he was ordered to
Charleston to provide for returning troops.
There he was honorably discharged with thanks by telegram from the
chief quartermaster of
Johnston's army.
He lived after the war in
South Carolina, and at the time of his death, December 24, 1897, he was at the residence of his daughter,
Mrs. W. J. Martin, Jr., in
Davidson, N. C.
Colonel Cornelius Irvine Walker, of
Charleston, since 1895
major-general commanding the
South Carolina division,
United Confederate Veterans, was born at
Charleston, February 14, 1842.
He entered the third class of the Citadel military academy in 1858, and was graduated in April, 1861, with the first honor of his class, and
