The first thing that needs to be said is YES, his name was “States Rights Gist” just like “Robert Edward Lee” was Robert E. Lee’s full name.
His life of accomplishment and honor.
General States Rights Gist
Born September 3, 1831
Died November 30, 1864
General States Rights Gist was the seventh son and ninth child of Colonel Nathaniel Gist and his wife, Elizabeth McDaniel Gist. States Rights Gist was born at the Gist homestead “Wyoming” in Union County S.C. September 3, 1831.
“Wyoming” was situated in the upper part of Union County about three miles from Jonesville S.C., and was built by Col. Gist in the early 1800’s.Nathaniel was a brother to the father of William Gist the Governor of South Carolina. (The home still stands and is occupied.)
Colonel Nathaniel Gist was a firm believer in states’ rights, hence the unusual name given to his seventh son. As a boy “States” attended a private academy established by his father and neighbors. He was taught Greek, Latin, Physics, Algebra, and Geometry. He also attended the distinguished fitting school at Winnsboro and finished with distinction the academic course at South Carolina College, now known as The University of South Carolina. He graduated in the class of 1852 after which he went to law school at Harvard University.
After Harvard, he returned to South Carolina, was admitted to the SC bar, and entered into a partnership with William Munro at Union S.C.
In 1859 States Rights Gist was elected to Brigadier General of the militia of upper South Carolina. The military aptitude manifested while filling that post secured him election by the Legislature of South Carolina to the post of Adjutant and Inspector General of the State when the troops of South Carolina were reorganized shortly after Secession.
An interesting incident of General Gist’s service was his delivering personally, as the personal representative of Gov. William H. Gist, letter to the Governors of the seven cotton states in the fall of 1860. These communications dealt with course to be pursued in case Lincoln was elected to ascertain their thoughts with regard to the matter of secession.
In 1859, Gist became involved in the State militia, rising to brigadier general. When S.C. seceded from the union, he worked as state adjutant and inspector general whose responsibility was to acquire arms for the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. He then served as aide to General Bee and at the critical moment at the first battle of Manassas. The next day, Bee was killed and Gist stepped in as temporary commander of his brigade. Gist was wounded in this action.
1862 Gist was commissioned as Brigadier General and ordered to report to General Pemberton. Gist was in command east of James Island. In Dec. 1862 was in command of the troops ordered to the relief of Wilmington. In May 1863 was ordered take a brigade to the assistance of General Pemberton in Mississippi. Reaching Jackson Miss. his command formed part of the troops under J.E. Johnston, took part in the engagement of May 14 at Jackson, marched to the Big Black River just before the surrender of Vicksburg, then returned to Jackson and was besieged by Sherman.
Gist Brigade comprised of the Forty-Sixth Georgia, Fourteenth Mississippi and Twenty-fourth South Carolina, the Sixteenth South Carolina. He was assigned to General W.H.T. Walker Gist fought gallantly at Chickamauga, commanding during part of the battle, Ector’s and Wilson’s brigades, his own brigade being led by Colonel Colquitt, and on Sunday commanding Walker’s division. At an important stage of the fight Gen. D.H. Hill called for Gist’s Brigade for dangerous duty, in the performance of which it suffered severely. He continued in conspicuous and valuable service; during the battle of Missionary Ridge commanded Walker’s division, and throughout the Atlanta campaign of 1864 was identified with that division.
After the fall of General Walker he was transferred to Cheatham’s division, which he commanded for some time during the fall campaign of that year. At the terribly destructive battle of Franklin, Tenn. he was among the noblest of the brave men whose lives were sacrificed. On November 30, 1864 attended by Capt. H.D. Garden and Lieut. Frank Trenholm, of his staff, he rode down the front, and after ordering the charge and waving his hat to the Twenty-Fourth, rode away in the smoke of battle, never more to be seen by the men he had commanded on so many fields. His horse was shot, and he was leading the right of the brigade on foot when he fell, pierced through the heart. Gist was one of six Confederate Generals to die that day.
General States Rights remains were buried on the 10th of May 1866, in the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cemetery, Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina.
States Rights Gist was married to Jane Margaret Adams
Credits: Union Daily Times, Union S.C. and a biography entitled “General States Right Gist” by Brian Cisco, author.