Marcus Baum of Prussia and South Carolina

In the early 1900's, Dr. Barnett A. Elzas compiled the records of the Jewish Cemeteries of South Carolina (FHL film #1013426 item #15). While most of the graves give just birth and death information, sometimes the information from the tombstones gives much more. Such is the case of the information for Marcus Baum.

"This Shaft is erected to Commemorate the Life and Death

of Marcus Baum, Born in Schwersenz, Prussia, on the 7th day of March 1833

The sterling qualities of his nature were illustrated by his brief career, to

which a glorious Death in defence of his adopted Country formed a fitting close.

In the Battle of the Wilderness on the 6th day of may 1864 he fell at the side

of his beloved Chief, Gen. J. B. Kershaw, a martyr to the "Lost Cause"

His bones now mingle with the dust upon that field of Honor, but his

memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who esteem it a privilege

to erect this humble momento."

From history we know that The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 campaign against General Robert E. Lee.