I am indebted to Colonel W.G. Rice for a brief sketch of the Third Battalion, or as it was more generally known in the army, "James' Battalion," after its first commander, (who fell at South Mountain, [172] Md.,) up to the time of joining the brigade:
"On the fall of Hilton Head and the occupation of Port Royal by the enemy, the Governor of South Carolina issued a call for volunteers for State service. Among the companies offering their services were four from Laurens County. Lieutenant Geo. S. James having resigned from the United States Army, and being personally known to several of the officers of said four companies, they united in forming a battalion and electing him Major. The companies became known thereafter as:
| "Company A | Captain W.G. Rice. | |
| Company B | Captain J.G. Williams. | |
| Company C | Captain J.M. Shumate. | |
| Company D | Captain G.M. Gunnels. |
"All of Laurens County, the organization being effected at Camp Hampton, near Columbia, November, 1861, and where Major James assumed command. In December the battalion was ordered to Charleston, and from thence to White Point, near the coast. Here the battalion was strengthened by three more companies, making it now a compound battalion and entitled to a Lieutenant Colonel and Major. The additional companies were:
| "Company E, from Laurens | Captain M.M. Hunter. | |
| Company F, from Richland | Captain D.B. Miller. | |
| Company G, from Fairfield | Captain A.P. Irby. |
"Major James was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain W.G. Rice, as senior Captain, made Major, while Lieutenant J.M. Townsend was raised to the grade of Captain in place of Major Rice.
"In April, 1862, a reorganization was ordered, and the troops enlisted in the Confederate States' service. Both Colonel James and Major Rice were elected to their former positions, with the following company commanders:
| "J.M. Townsend Captain | Company A. | |
| O.A. Watson Captain | Company B. | |
| William Huggins Captain | Company C. | |
| G.M. Gunnels Captain | Company D. | |
| W.H. Fowler Captain | Company E. | |
| D.B. Miller Captain | Company F. | |
| B.M. Whitener Captain | Company G. |