Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Senior (1828-1862), honorable, respected and beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, builder, leader and soldier, first saw the light of day in Dixieland: born at Townville, Pendleton District, Anderson County, South Carolina, USA.

Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Sr. was the eldest child of parents Abner Ledbetter (1788-1830) and Sarah Ann (Calhoun) Ledbetter (1797-1852). Daniel Alexander Ledbetter (or "D.A.", as he was fondly known by nickname initials) had 1 sister, Sarah Ledbetter (born 1829), and no brothers.

Abner Ledbetter died on 14 August 1830, when son D.A. Ledbetter was a tender toddler of age 2 and daughter Sarah Ledbetter was a precious babe-in-arms about age 1. Young widow Sarah Ann (Calhoun) Ledbetter, left with 2 small children to rear and nurture in difficult circumstances, later remarried, to Colonel John Clarence Miller of Pendleton, Anderson County, South Carolina.

Colonel Miller appreciated the keen intelligence, sterling character, strong work ethic, and remarkable leadership potential of D.A. Ledbetter. A good, kind, supportive step-father, Colonel John C. Miller helped step-son D.A. Ledbetter develop into a skilled, productive, responsible American citizen.

"Young (D.A.) Ledbetter grew up on Colonel Miller's farm, much of the business of which was managed by him, while he was yet a boy. His education was limited, the greater part of it being obtained in the schools at old Pendleton.

"He served an apprenticeship as a millwright under Col. M. R. Hunicutt, became a master mechanic and acquired considerable property in the practice of his craft."
--"Confederate Military History", Vol. 5,
Colonel D.A. Ledbetter Biographical Sketch.

In 1853, Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Sr. married Elizabeth ("Lizzie") Earl Vandiver (1832-1915) at Townville, Anderson County, South Carolina. Together in this 1853 marriage union, parents D.A. Ledbetter, Sr. and Elizabeth Earl (Vandiver) Ledbetter produced 4 beloved children (1 lovely daughter & 3 handsome sons), named hereinafter with some basic vital information:

1) Maria ("Mary") Luiza Ledbetter,
born 2 October 1854, Townville,
Anderson County, South Carolina;

2) John Peter Ledbetter,
born 2 November 1856, Townville,
Anderson County, South Carolina;

3) Hezekiah C. Ledbetter, born circa 1859,
and died 3 January 1873 (at age 14),
Townville, Anderson County, South Carolina;

4) Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Junior,
born 8 November 1861, Townville,
Anderson County, South Carolina;
Note: War-baby & namesake son was conceived
just before the American Civil War commenced,
and his birth occurred while his father was
deployed for Charleston (SC) Harbor Defense.

Successively serving as Captain, Major and Colonel of South Carolina Militia, long before the American Civil War (1861-1865), citizen-soldier D.A. Ledbetter was well-known and greatly admired by Palmetto State citizenry and fellow militia troops. South Carolina Militia Colonel D.A. Ledbetter was a man of regional renown.

Colonel D.A. Ledbetter patriotically served in defense of South Carolina and the United States of America, during 17 years of honorable S.C. Militia Service (1844-1861). A man of honor and a natural leader, Daniel Alexander Ledbetter was a valiant citizen-soldier of the noblest order.

"As soldier and officer, his love for his men was that of father to his children, and often, when on a march, he would give up his horse to some sick or broken-down private."
--"Confederate Military History", Vol. 5,
Colonel D.A. Ledbetter Biographical Sketch.

A physical giant among men, D.A. Ledbetter was tall, athletic, muscular and powerful, well-proportionedin height & weight: 6 feet 6 inches & 200 pounds. Colonel D.A. Ledbetter posed a gallant, strikingly handsome, command presence.

A moral giant among men, Confederate Colonel Daniel Alexander Ledbetter was most respected for setting a sterling example of integrity, goodness and valor, thereby living a life worthy of praise and emulation.

Colonel D.A. Ledbetter "was much esteemed for conscientiousness, vigilance, and courage."
--3 separate published sources cited:
1) "History of a Brigade of South Carolinians",
Casualty Roll of Honor, 2nd Manassas Battle,
2) "And Then A.P. Hill Came Up",
Biographical Sketch: CSA Col. D.A. Ledbetter,
3) "Lee's Colonels",
Biographical Sketch: CSA Col. D.A. Ledbetter.

"His honesty and decision of character made him a favorite with every one who knew him."
--"Confederate Military History", Vol. 5,
Colonel D.A. Ledbetter Biographical Sketch.

Within days after the 12 April 1861 outbreak of hostilities between Confederate and Union forces at Fort Sumter, S.C. Militia Colonel D.A. Ledbetter rapidly organized an infantry (rifle) company (and recruited soldiers thereunto), directly contributing to the newly-forming Army of the Confederate States of America (ACSA), or more briefly referenced, Confederate States Army (CSA). Colonel D.A. Ledbetter established this new infantry company on or about 15 April 1861, just after the U.S. Army Fort Sumter was surrendered in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

Troops of this CSA infantry company (nicknamed "Keowee Riflemen"), formed from Pickens and Occonee native sons of Anderson County, South Carolina, unanimously elected D.A. Ledbetter to be their Captain and Company Commander in April 1861. This would be the first of 4 Confederate States Army commissioned officer ranks earned by D.A. Ledbetter, during his 1861-1862 active-duty military service in the War Between the States. The "Keowee Riflemen" infantry company soon became Company A of 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment.

On 20 July 1861, First South Carolina Rifle Regiment officially was organized (also known as, 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment and Orr's Rifle Regiment, which was abbreviated as, "O.R.R."). Intensive "boot camp" military training for 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment occurred at Sandy Springs, SC, during Summer 1861.

In the original Table of Organization (T/O) of the 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment, Company A was designated with CSA Captain D.A. Ledbetter as the first Company A Commander, respecting the unanimous vote of Company A troops. Company A was the first among 10 infantry companies formed to comprise 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment, which, in turn, was the first infantry regiment in South Carolina to be organized and available for wartime national military service, rather than limited only to statewide service.

Upon 20 July 1861, at the first muster of 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment at Sandy Springs, SC, Captain D.A. Ledbetter was elected as Regimental Major of Troops, unanimously chosen by admiring fellow troops of all 10 infantry companies. Selection as Regimental Major was tremendous vote of confidence in CSA Major Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, as a leader and a warrior, as well as a significant promotion in position of responsibility and in military rank.

In the chain-of-command structure of this CSA South Carolina infantry regiment, Major D.A. Ledbetter was third (3rd) in command, administratively next in regimental leadership authority under the Regimental Executive Officer and Regimental Commander. However, as Regimental Major, D.A. Ledbetter was primarily responsible for directly leading all regimental troops, whether in training, in garrison, in hospital, in deployment, in combat, on bivouac, or on-the-march.

Confederate Field Officer D.A. Ledbetter rendered honorable wartime military service in South Carolina and Virginia, during the first 2 calendar years of the American Civil War. First assigned garrison duty harbor protection at Charleston, SC, 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment was redeployed during Spring 1862, to defend Confederate States Capital Richmond, VA, against Union Army invasion and capture.

Meritorious military service prompted 2 more field officer promotions to be awarded unto CSA Major Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Sr.:

1) Lieutenant Colonel, Confederate States Army,
Regimental Executive Officer, 2nd in Command,
1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment,
Date of Lt. Col. Promotion: 1 February 1862;

2) Colonel, Confederate States Army,
Regimental Commander, 1st in Command,
1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment,
Date of Full Colonel Promotion: 29 August 1862.
Note: Colonel is only 1 military field officer
rank below Brigadier General.

As a gifted leader of warriors in battle, CSA Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Sr. repeatedly received commendations. The excellent reputation of Lt. Col. D.A. Ledbetter for proficiency in leadership and courage in battle, particularly came to the attention of audacious Robert E. Lee, Commanding General, CSA Army of Northern Virginia and eventual Confederate States Army General-In-Chief.

Praiseworthy of Confederate Colonel D.A. Ledbetter was his leadership expertise and battlefield valor, demonstrated during several American Civil War battles:

1) Battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Creek), 26 June 1862, Mechanicsville, VA, Seven Days Battles in defense of Richmond, VA and counterattacks against General George McClellan's Union Army Virginia Peninsular Campaign;
2) Battle of Gaines Mill (Chickahominy River or 1st Cold Harbor), 27 June 1862, Cold Harbor, VA, Seven Days Battles in defense of Richmond, VA and counterattacks against General George McClellan's Union Army Virginia Peninsular Campaign;
3) Battle of Frayser's Farm (Glendale), 30 June 1862, Varina, VA, Seven Days Battles in defense of Richmond, VA and counterattacks against General George McClellan's Union Army Virginia Peninsular Campaign;
4) Battle of Cedar Mountain (Cedar Run), 9 August 1862, Culpepper, VA, Northern Virginia Campaign of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & "Stonewall" Jackson;
5) Battle of Bristoe Railroad Station, 26 August 1862, Bristoe Station, VA, Northern Virginia Campaign of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & "Stonewall" Jackson;
6) Battle of Manassas Railroad Junction, 27 August 1862, Manassas Junction, VA, Northern Virginia Campaign of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & "Stonewall" Jackson;
7) Battle of Groveton, 28 August 1862, Northern Virginia Campaign of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & "Stonewall" Jackson, Groveton, Virginia;
8) 2nd Battle of Manassas, 29-30 August 1862, Manassas, Virginia, Northern Virginia Campaign of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & "Stonewall" Jackson.

Colonel D.A. Ledbetter, Sr. was blessed with a commanding stentorian voice, which readily could be heard long distances or amidst the roar of war. "On the march to Cedar Mountain in Virginia, one very dark night (11 August 1862), the camp was aroused by the false alarm that the enemy was at hand, and there was a general stampede; but Colonel Ledbetter stood his ground and called again and again till his men rallied to him."
--Confederate Military History, Vol. 5,
Colonel D.A. Ledbetter Biography.

Upon 29 August 1862, CSA Colonel Daniel Alexander Ledbetter, Sr. was Mortally Wounded In Action (M.W.I.A.) at the Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), an eventual Confederate Army major victory, principally led by Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, against Union Army forces, who were ineptly commanded by pompous Union General John Pope.

Confederate States Army Order of Battle for the 2nd Battle of Manassas (29-30 August 1862), assigned 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment to a distinct (but dangerous) position of honor in the left wing of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia: Brigadier General Maxcy Gregg's South Carolina Brigade, Major General A.P. Hill's Light Division, General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's Corps.

Colonel D.A. Ledbetter led his 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment at a crucial defensive battle position along an unfinished railroad grade (cut), arrayed in the very front battle line, just left of center, in the left wing of the Confederate Army defensive formation. This "tip of the spear" battle position was heavily attacked during a half-dozen assaults from Union Army forces of General Phillip Kearney, Divisional Commander, a respected hero of Mexican-American War fame.

Geographically, this Confederate Army defensive battle position was situated left and in front of Stony Ridge, immediately beside Catharpin Creek, Sudley Ford, Sudley Methodist Church, Sudley Mill and Sudley Springs, all located at Manassas Battlefield, Prince William County, Virginia.

Scarcely more than 1 hour prior to being mortally wounded in battle, Lt. Col. D.A. Ledbetter received his battlefield rank promotion to Regimental Colonel and corresponding Regimental Commander duties, following the combat death of former Regimental Commander, Colonel Jehu Foster Marshall. The 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment helped repulse 5 major Union Army assaults and counterattacked 5 times, earlier during the day of 29 August 1862, setting the stage for yet a 6th Union Army deadly assault later (between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Colonel D.A. Ledbetter inspired and bolstered the morale of 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment troops under his command. Thus rallied, tenacious defenses and furious counterattacks, which Colonel D.A. Ledbetter helped lead upon 29 August 1862, repeatedly repulsed Union Army assaults and resulted in Union Army retreats, key to Confederate Army victory in the 2nd Battle of Manassas. After running out of ammunition, these determined South Carolina Rebel troops engaged in hand-to-hand combat with fixed bayonets, clubbed rifles and sometimes hurled rocks against Federal Army attackers.

However, during the 6th Union Army major assault of the day, CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter was cut down by gunfire. The 29 August 1862 mortal wounding in combat of CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter, happened on the same day of his battlefield promotion to Colonel and Regimental Commander of 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment.

Despite 2 regimental commanders being battle casualties on the same day (29 August 1862) and having exhausted their ammunition supply, 1st S.C. Rifle Regiment again rallied, fighting side-by-side with other reinforcing regiments of Brigadier General Maxcy Gregg's South Carolina Brigade, to repel with fury the 6th Union Army major assault focused in this sector.

This crucial first-day defensive stand at the unfinished railroad cut near Sudley Ford, became key to later Confederate counterattacks and an eventual Confederate Army major victory, against Union Army forces at 2nd Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), 29-30 August 1862, at Manassas, Virginia, located about 30 miles south of Washington, DC. However, the initial triumph in this battlefield sector and the overall battle victory, came at high cost in blood and lives, where many of the best and bravest Southern Sons were sacrificed upon the Altar of War.

Fellow 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment soldiers tenderly carried their seriously wounded and greatly respected Regimental Commander, CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter, from the Manassas Battlefield to a nearby rear-echelon sector. During late afternoon of 29 August 1862, CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter received emergency medical care at an improvised wartime field hospital, located in the historic stone farmhouse named "Bushy Park", in Prince William County, VA.

During the next several days (30 August until 1 September 1862), CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter lingered in a personal, mighty, twilight fight: clinging to waning mortal life, while suffering in agony from the destructive gunshot wound within his torso abdominal side. Colonel D.A. Ledbetter was bleeding to death as he fought his last fight for life.

On 1 September 1862, 3 days after being Mortally Wounded In Action (M.W.I.A.), CSA Colonel D.A. Ledbetter breathed his last breath, and died in Bushy Park Farmhouse Confederate Field Hospital, Prince William County, Virginia.

A fitting epitaph for CSA Colonel Daniel Alexander Ledbetter was written by Clement Evans, Confederate States Military Historian, as follows: "No braver soldier, more honorable citizen, kinder father and husband, gave his life to the lost cause."
--Confederate Military History, Vol. 5,
Colonel D.A. Ledbetter Biography.

Daniel A Ledbetter