LtCol Thomas Hamilton Boggs

Thomas Hamilton Boggs was born on 6 May 1823 near Liberty, SC, and was the son of Thomas Gilliland Boggs and Eleanor Hamilton Boggs. He married his cousin, Martha Ann Hamilton Boggs, and they had eight children. Their ancestors can all trace their roots back to some of the first Scots-Irish settlers to put down roots in the Carolina backcountry. Thomas Boggs was a member and deacon of the Carmel Presbyterian Church near Liberty, SC. In addition, he served as Justice of the Peace and superintendant of the Union Sabbath School. In early 1861, he entered the Confederate Army. He helped organize the 5th SC Rifle Battalion, which later evolved into the 2nd SC Rifle's (Moore's Regiment). Col John V. Moore, of Anderson District, who would die of wounds on 3 Sep 1862 at Haymarket, VA, commanded the regiment. At first, Thomas Boggs served as a major in the regiment but later was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. LtCol Thomas Hamilton Boggs participated in the Battle of Fair Oaks/Seven Pines, which took place from 31 May - 1 Jun 18562 near Richmond, VA, and was seriously wounded in that engagement. He was sent home to recuperate, and, while there, became seriously ill with typhoid fever and died on 6 Jul 1862. His body was laid to rest at the Carmel Presbyterian Church near Liberty, SC. At the time of his death, LtCol Boggs was survived by his wife and eight young children, ranging in ages from five months to fifteen years.

Descendants of LtCol Thomas Hamilton Boggs still have his original commission as a LtCol in the 2nd Regiment of SC Volunteer Rifles, which was signed by Francis Pickens, the Governor of SC, on 12 May 1862. The descendants also have an original letter written by LtCol Thomas Boggs from the battlefield near Richmond, VA, describing some deaths of the battle in which his unit was involved. His wife, Martha Boggs, died 7 Jan 1892, and was buried beside Thomas Boggs at Carmel Presbyterian Church.