DAVIS, MOSES

Moses Davis was born in 1835 in Charleston, South Carolina.  His parents were both from Charleston.  He married Anna Elizabeth McLaughlin.  She and her parents were also from Charleston.  They had at least two children:  Moses, Jr and Henry Solomon.

Moses joined the Gist Guard on May 5th, 1862 in Charleston, having been recruited by Lieutenant Gilchrist.  Moses participated in the battle with the Union ironclads in 1863, as well as the Battle of Battery Wagner.

Private Davis was charged with desertion:

Moses Davis, private in Captain Chishester's Co., attached to the 1st Rgt. Arty, SCV on the following charge and specifications.

Charge 1st "Desertion"

Specification 1st _ In this, that the said Moses Davis, private in Captain Chichester's Company, 1st Rgt. Arty, SCV did between the beating of "Tattoo" and Reveille, on or about the 7th of June, 1862, desert from camp and proceed to the city of Charleston and did not again return to camp.

Charge 2nd "Forging, or using a forged passport"

Specification 1 _ In this, that the said Moses Davis, private in Capt. Chichester's Co., 1st Regt. Arty, SCV did on or about the 7th of June, 1862, write a passport for himself, granting him leave of absence from camp, with permission to visit the city, to which he signed the name of his Captain, or that he used such a passport , written by some other person, knowing the same to be forged, and therewith suceeded in passing the different sentinels between camp and the city of Charleston.

All this at or near Camp Winston, on East Lines, James Island.

Respectfully preferred,

C E Chichester, Captain

commanding "Gist Guard"

Witness

John W Carr, O. Sgt.

However, these charges were dropped for reasons explained in the following letter:

Half-Moon Battery

Charleston Nov. 17th 1863

Lieutenant:-

I have the honor to call your attention to the following facts:-

During my absence from my Company, while sick, the officer commanding preferred charges for desertion against Private Moses Davis of my Company.  Said Davis has since returned to duty and after undergoing punishment in camp, has been performing duty faithfully for more than a month.

Had I been aware of the existence of said charges, I would not have taken upon myself to punish him, but seeing that he has been punished and been returned to duty, it seems severe upon the man to inflict a trial left to a Court Martial and probably an additional punishment.

Under these circumstances, I would respectfully request that the charges now in the hands of Lieut. Gilchrist, Judge Advocate of the Court sitting at Military Hall, be returned, and I will hold myself responsible for the future good behavior of the accused.

I have the honor to remain

yours, with respect

C. E. Chichester, Captain

Comd’g "Gist Guard."

Lieut. S. C. Boyleston

A. A. A. Genl.

Private Davis served until his death on June 26th, 1864 at Fort Sumter:

OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, vol 35, Part 1 (Olustee), page 220

Captain NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

FORT SUMTER, June 26, 1864 - 8.30 p. m.

The enemy's tents on Morris Island have considerably increased number; our flag-staff was cut down twice to-day within two minutes; the second time while being replaced, in the face of sharp fire, by Privates Walter Steele, of the Gist Guard Artillery, and D. E. Badger, Company I, Twentieth South Carolina Volunteers, to whose gallantry I beg leave to call attention. The last staff put up has since been splintered. The enemy's staff at Battery Gregg was shot down from Fort Johnson. Private Moses Davis, Gist Guard, has been severely wounded and his leg cut off.

J. C. MITCHEL,

Captain, Commanding.

Captain W. F. NANCE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

SUMTER, June 27, 1864 - 10.20 a. m.

Thirty-four shots fired at fort yesterday; 10 missed. Flag-staff shot away twice. Private Moses Davis, Gist Guard, was struck by a fragment and died in an hour. Small working party at Wagner to-day.

J. C. MITCHEL,

Captain.

Private Davis was originally buried in the soldier's plot at Magnolia Cemetery.  Some time after August 7, 1864, his wife had him reburied in the Davis family plot (1413) at Magnolia, where he rests today.  Private Davis had a Veteran's Administration headstone installed on May 9th, 2007, and will receive the Southern Cross of Honor on November 3rd, 2007.