behind AotW

This portrait of Colonel Dixon Barnes of the 12th South Carolina Infantry is in the SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, Columbia, hosted online by Ben Cwayna of the 12th South Carolina/4th Michigan Volunteers (reenacted) [now gone]. Thanks to Andy Cardinal for the point to it. In September 1862 …

… Barnes had been put under arrest by Jackson for allowing his hungry men to take apples from a tree against orders, and Gregg [his brigade commander] felt he could not release him from the arrest. Pale and stern faced, [A. P.] 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. Barnes had been willing to serve in the ranks rather than miss the fight.

The Colonel was shot through both knees at Sharpsburg and died of his wounds 10 days later.