Roots in Abbeville
William Charles Mayson's identity was forged within a well-established family deeply rooted in the soil and society of Abbeville District, South Carolina. His family's standing and strong Methodist faith were powerful cultural forces that shaped his worldview and the community around him.
Genealogical Profile
- Born: June 22, 1823
- Died: April 16, 1862
- Father: James Lucas Mayson
- Mother: Lucinda (Douglas) Mayson
- Spouse: Sarah (Williamson) Mayson
- Child: Charles Conway Mayson
Socio-Economic Standing
The Mayson family was part of the propertied and influential class of Abbeville. The local volunteer company William joined, the "Abbeville Volunteers," was described by a contemporary newspaper as being composed of "a hundred of the wealthiest" young men in the district. This indicates the Maysons possessed significant social and economic standing, placing them among the local elite with a vested interest in preserving the Southern social order.
A Hotbed of Secession
To understand William Mayson's decision to enlist is to understand the world he inhabited. Abbeville was not a passive observer; it was a focal point of pro-Confederate sentiment. In this supercharged atmosphere, enlisting was a public declaration of loyalty, honor, and social standing.
A Soldier's Journey
William's military career had two distinct phases, marked by a major reorganization of Confederate forces in 1861. Understanding this transition is key to tracing his path from a state volunteer to a Confederate soldier in the army that would fight at Yorktown.
Phase 1: State Service
(Jan – July 1861)
1st SC Infantry (6 months)
"Gregg's First"
Company D
"Abbeville Volunteers"
Phase 2: Confederate Service
(Aug 1861 – Apr 1862)
1st SC Provisional Army
"McCreary's Regiment"
Company H
"Haskell's Rifle Corps"
After his initial six-month term, the "Abbeville Volunteers" company was not reformed. William almost certainly joined Company H, a new unit recruited from his home district of Abbeville, to serve for the duration of the war.
The Final Battle: Dam No. 1
In April 1862, William Mayson found himself on the Virginia Peninsula, facing the largest Union army yet assembled. His life ended during a sharp, intense firefight on April 16, 1862, a day history remembers as the Battle of Dam No. 1, during the Siege of Yorktown.
The Overwhelming Force
Union General McClellan's massive army landed on the Peninsula to capture Richmond. The initial Confederate defenders, under General Magruder, were vastly outnumbered but used elaborate ruses to trick McClellan into halting his advance and starting a siege. This chart shows the stark reality of the forces involved.
The Action on April 16th
At a fortified position on the Warwick River known as Dam No. 1, Union troops launched an attack. Four companies of the 3rd Vermont Infantry charged across the river and captured the first line of Confederate rifle pits. The Confederate response was a swift and furious counterattack.
It was during this desperate fighting—either defending the initial line or participating in the counter-charge to reclaim it—that William Charles Mayson was killed in action. He was a casualty in a brief but bloody engagement that, while a "minor" battle in the grand scale of the war, was fatal for him and dozens of his comrades.
Legacy and Further Research
William Mayson's story is a testament to his time and place. While this narrative reconstructs his life based on available evidence, definitive confirmation and more personal details can be found in key historical records. The following resources are the recommended next steps for your research.