Col. James McCullough


Birth: February 20, 1824
Marriage: Kesiah Sullivan (1824-1907)
Death: October 1, 1892

Parents: Joseph McCullough (1799-1853) and Mary Cowan (1789-1857)
Siblings: ?
Children: Joseph Allen McCullough*
                 * Joseph was the adpoted son of James' sister and her husband.
Descent: Col. James McCullough - Hon. Joseph A. McCullough - James D. McCullough - Joseph A. McCullough III - James D. McCullough II - Joseph A. McCullough V
Confederate Service: 16th South Carolina Volunteers

James McCullough was born in 1824 on the family farm, 25 miles south of Greenville, S.C. His father was a major landowner, slave owner, farmer and horse-breeder. His father died in 1853 and James inherited the farm.

In the fall of 1861, C. J. Elford was granted authority from the Governor of S.C. to raise a regiment for state service, and James McCullough did his part by organizing one company.  The regiment would eventually be labelled the 16th South Carolina Volunteers and James McCullough was elected Lieutenant Colonel under Col. Elford. In early 1862, the regiment was sent to Adams Run on the Charleston Savannah Railroad where they participated in the small battles of Pocotaligo and Johns Island. In April, the regiment was changed from state to Confederate States service, and James McCullough was elected Colonel of the regiment.

In March of 1863 the regiment journeyed to Wilmington, N.C., but soon returned to the Charleston area. Then, on May 4, 1863, the regiment was ordered west to join General Joseph E. Johnston’s army attempting to relieve Vicksburg. Now part of States Rights Gist’s brigade, the 16th missed the battle of Chickamauga while on detached duty. However, they returned in time to take up a position on Missionary Ridge for the defeat at Chattanooga. From then on the regiment stayed with the army through all of the battles in the Atlanta campaign.

From there, the 16th joined in Hood’s disastrous campaign. At the battle of Franklin, States Rights Gist’s brigade was one of the first to hit the Federal lines. When Gist was killed during the battle, Col. James took command of the brigade. Sometime after this battle, possibly after the battle of Nashville, the depleted 16th regiment was combined with another regiment. With no real command left, Col. McCullough resigned his commission and returned home.

He lived on until 1892 and was very involved in veteran’s affairs.

June 21, 1862 - Account of the Engagement at Simmon's Bluff
December 13, 1862 - The 16th move to Wilmington, N.C.
May 15, 1863 - The Colonel and the 16th sent to the Western theater