Cleland Washington COCKFIELD

1822 - 1863  (40 years)

• Name	Cleland Washington COCKFIELD  [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Born	10 Feb 1822	Williamsburg County, South Carolina   [5]
  Gender	Male
  HIST	The Cockfield Plantation was located in Green Ponds, South Carolina, near Whitehall, Cumbahee River, and consisted of 2300 acres. The plantation was sold after Cleveland’s death and all relations moved to Ard’s Crossroads, Johnsonville, South Carolina. The plantation was sold to his step-father-in-law, Williams Lewis Lee (actually it is his step-father - his mother’s second husband).  [2]
  MILI	Cleland was killed while charging up a hill bravely bearing the Confederate flag in the Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. He was a gallant soldier, courageous and unselfish; decorated by Colonel Walker for bravery just prior to Cleland’s death. He was issued the Medal of Honor on 3 Oct 1863- He was in Company E 10th SC Infantry- Source says he and Miss Owens had two children- John Henry Cockfield and James Ashley Cockfield This is part of the letter written by William James McNeeley Lee, the half brother of Cleland Washington Cockfield, to his father, William Lewis Lee, and his brother, Robert Yancey Hayne Lee, on 10 Jan 1863 in Shelbyville, Tennessee - “I’ve been trying all through this long letter to break the news that is too sad to write. Brother Cleland (Cleland Washington Cockfield) was killed on our last charge up the hill (the Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee). He was bearing our tattered flag (a picture of the flag is on page 174A) when a ball passed through his head killing him instantly. Within a few steps John (Cleland’s son ???) fell wounded in the abdomen and died the next day. We three were near together in battle but the smoke and fire was too thick to see through. Had I known when he fell I would have defied a thousand deaths to go to him. That night when the living were reporting, Cleland and John were missing. A comrade told me that he was right beside Cleland when a ball tore off the top of Cleland’s head and that he died instantly. I got permission from Colonel Pressley and went immediately out on the battle field in search of Cleland and John, looked into thousands of faces cold in death but could not find them. I brought in Captain BUddin who is severly wounded but may live. When I reached the hospital, I learned that Cleland and John had been brought in by the Infirmary Corps. Cleland had been robbed of all his money, his watch and medal. His Bible wrapped in a flag soaked with his blood was in his pocket over his heart. His last message is written on the fly-leaf to his wife. Robert, you keep the flag. I don’t think his wife ought to see it. It will only make her suffering keener to view it. I feel so sorry that his watch and medal were stolen. They would be worthy keepsakes for his two little sons, John and Ashley. The medal was presented to him for bravery in general, and particularly for this recent brave exploit. The Yankee pickets closed in on Cleland and seven other scouts, disarmed them and started marching them to prison. By Cleland’s signal he and all of the scouts seized upon and overcame their captors; took their rifles and returned to camp. Just a few days ago when Cleland was decorated with the medal, General Manigault said in his presentation speech, “Cleland Cockfield is always brave, cool and determined, almost to the point of rashness where danger is the greatest. He is always in the thickest of the fight, giving confidence to all around him by his fearless bravery.” I think that I shall never see home again. It was God’s mysterious mercy that spared me on Dec. 31st. A ball passed through my trousers and two through my hat, and left me here to have my bones blanched on some other battlefield, I guess. After the battle, trees were barked for 20 feet from the ground. Large trees were cut down by rifle balls. Visitors marvel that any living being could have existed. Break the news gently to Sister Trezva (Trezvan). Tell her Cleland was loved by all of our men. He lived nobly and died bravely. I cannot find words to comfort her. I am doo deeply bereft myself. Your lone and said, James Branch of Service: Army-Infantry Company/Regiment: 10th South Carolina Infantry Co. E Date of Service: unknown Starting Rank: Private Discharge Rank: Sergeant Date of Discharge: 12-31-1862 Reason for Discharge: Killed in Action at the Battle of Murpheesboro, Murpheesboro, Tennessee  [2, 5, 6, 7]
  Reference Number	n
  _UID	B7A859E462A1421FA123FA1159F40E265098
  Died	1 Jan 1863	The Battle of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro, Tennessee   [2, 7, 8]
  Buried	He was buried in a mass grave in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with his son, John Henry Cockfield on 31 Dec 1862   [9]
  Person ID	I89430	Singleton and other families
  Last Modified	14 Sep 2014

  
  

  Father	Joseph COCKFIELD,   b. 1785,   d. 5 May 1828  (Age 43 years)
  Mother	Jane SINGLETARY,   b. 14 Oct 1802,   d. 12 Jun 1841  (Age 38 years)
  Married	Prince Frederick, South Carolina   [2]
  _UID	86EB57486091410AB6B9FC0145D21F715F13
  Family ID	F62079	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Margaret COX
  _UID	DA91B6A30D71450F889CEEC2D73F7178695F
  Children	1. John Henry COCKFIELD,   b. 1840,   d. 31 Dec 1862-1 Jan 1863, The Battle of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro, Tennessee  (Age 23 years)   2. Marietta COCKFIELD,   b. 1842   3. Sara E. COCKFIELD,   b. 1843   4. Joseph Cleveland COCKFIELD,   b. 1844,   d. 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  (Age 19 years)   5. George W. COCKFIELD,   b. 1847   6. Margaret H. COCKFIELD,   b. 1848   7. Martha A. COCKFIELD,   b. 1850   8. C. C. /Colon Kopac Cockfield COCKFIELD,   b. 20 Feb 1852, Williamsburg County, South Carolina ,   d. 18 Apr 1924, Hemingway, Williamsburg County, South Carolina  (Age 72 years)   9. J. O. COCKFIELD,   b. 1860, South Carolina   10. Mary Elizabeth Jane COCKFIELD,   b. 1842, South Carolina
  Last Modified	1 Nov 2020
  Family ID	F62080	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  The Mishoe Page Submitter Information Confederate Ancestor Information Mishoe, Gerald Grant 207 Road Runner Court Ladson, South Carolina  29456 United States Email Address: RebCannon@aol.com Cockfield, Cleland Branch of Service: Army-Infantry Company/Regiment: 10th South Carolina Infantry Co.E Date of Service: unknown Starting Rank: Private Discharge Rank: Sergeant Date of Discharge: 12-31-1862 Reason for Discharge: Killed in Action at the Battle of Murpheesboro I am a member of the following: • Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp Secession Camp#4 Lineage from Gerald Mishoe, to Cleland Cockfield 1 Gerald Gordon Mishoe Relationship: Father Birth Date: 21 Nov 1949 Birth Location: Conway South Carolina Death Date: Death Location: 2 Mary Tennie Joy Relationship: Mother Birth Date: 27 July 1918 Birth Location: Johnsonville South Carolina Death Date: 17 July 1997 Death Location: Myrtle Beach South Carolina 3 Arimetha Cockfield Relationship: Mother Birth Date: 11 Aug 1879 Birth Location: Johnsonville South Carolina Death Date: 6 Jan 1928 Death Location: Johnsonville South Carolina 4 Colon Kopac Cockfield Relationship: Father Birth Date: 20 Feb 1851 Birth Location: Death Date: n/a Death Location: 5 Cleland Washington Cockfield Relationship: Father Birth Date: 10 Feb 1822 Birth Location: Williamsburg County Death Date: 31 Dec 1862 Death Location: Murpheesboro Tennessee Additional Biographical Information I am fortunate to have numerous members of my family fight in the War Between the States. I will list them by family name for the benifit of someone else who may be able to use the information. Sincerely, Grant Mishoe RebCannon@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ name rank unit status C.W.Cockfield Sgt. 10th SCInf Co.E (KIA December 31,1862) J.H.Cockfield Pvt. 10th SCInf Co.E (KIA January 1,1863) J.W.Cockfield Pvt. 26th SCInf Co.I (James W.) J.A.Cockfield Pvt. 6th SCCav Co.I (James A.) J. Cockfield Pvt. 26th SCInf Co.I (Josiah) J. Cockfield Pvt. 6th SCCav Co.I (Josiah) S.W.Cockfield Crp. 6th SCInf Co.K (DOD March 22,1864) J. Mishoe Crp. 7th SCCav Co.F J.M.Mishoe Pvt. 7th SCCav Co.F S.C.Mishoe Pvt. 10th SCInf Co.C (DOW in hospital date??) A. Michau Pvt. 4th SCCav Co.I A. Michau Pvt. 4th SCCav Co.D (Alexander) D.M.Michau Pvt. 10th SCInf Co.A F. Michau Pvt. 4th SCCav Co.D (Fletcher) N. Michau Pvt. 4th SCCav Co.D (Noah) T. Mishaw Pvt. 7th SCInf Co.L (Thomas) A.J.Joye Pvt. 8th SCInf Co.A (Aaron) J.F.Joye Pvt. 23rd SCInf Co.K (wounded 2nd Manassas Aug.1862) F.E.Joy Pvt. 6th SCInf Co.E (wounded Wilderness May 1864) F. Joy Pvt. 9th SCInf Co.F (Francis) H.M.Joy Pvt. 21st SCInf Co.H (Henry) J. Joy Pvt. 2nd SCCav Co.I (Jesse) L.W.Joy Pvt. 9th SCInf Co.F (LeGrand) L. Joye Pvt. 23rd SCInf Co.K S.J.Joy Pvt. HARTS BATTERY (KIA in skirmish in Virginia) W.H.Joy Pvt. 8th SCInf Co.K W.T.Joy Pvt. 9th SCInf Co.A W.R.Joy Capt. 8th SCInf Co.E (promoted to Capt. at reorg) These are all I have to date. There aremore but I have yet to track them. I will pass on any information if anyone needs it. Thanks, G.M.

  
  

• Sources

  [S668] Lyndon Lee Cannon (Mrs. R. B. Cannon), (The State Company Columbia, South Carolina 1943), page 22, 173-177. [S535] Descendants of Edward Burch Myers, Thomas and William Cockfield. [S14501] Herbert M. Poston, (Three Rivers Historical Society, 414 N. Main St., Hemingway, South Carolina 29554), page 42. [S16572] Proposed Change: Tresvan P. Owens, Chris Sandifer . [S668] Lyndon Lee Cannon (Mrs. R. B. Cannon), (The State Company Columbia, South Carolina 1943), page 80. [S668] Lyndon Lee Cannon (Mrs. R. B. Cannon), (The State Company Columbia, South Carolina 1943), page 173-177. [S21498] . [S668] Lyndon Lee Cannon (Mrs. R. B. Cannon), (The State Company Columbia, South Carolina 1943), pages 173-177. [S21499] .