Quotes About Manse Jolly

1.   From "The War Of The Rebellion — Official Records Of The Union And Confederate Armies" Series I Vol 35 Part 1 page 401.

Lt. Colonel J. D. Twiggs of the S. C. Calvary commends Sergeant Jolly for "efficient services and gallant manner" in the "destruction of US Transport Boston at Chapman's Fort, Ashboro River, SC"

2.   From the article: "The Imprisonment and Trial of Francis Gaines Stowers", quoted from the book, "Coldwater Community In Elbert County, Georgia" by Clara Adams Stowers, Second Edition, Copyright 2001.

"There were probably other persons present who participated in the affair who were never arrested. I tried very hard, indeed, to secure one of them — a notorious fellow by the name of Jolly — who escaped into Tennessee and from thence, I hear has gone to Texas. He was undoubtedly one of the men who fired upon the soldiers, and I have no doubt he was one of the worst."
"Manse (Manson) Jolly was a deserter from the Confederate Army. He had vowed to kill 25 Yankees for the five brothers he lost during the War. After the shooting incident he left for safer territory and was not seen again in the area."

3.   From South Carolina — A Guide To The Palmetto State © 1941 by Bernet P. Maybank, SC Governor

" During the Reconstruction period, when feeling ran high in the community, Anderson produced a remarkable character, Manse Jolly, whose exploits on his horse, 'Ironsides,' are still vividly remembered. Jolly became involved (justifiably, some say) with Federal military authorities soon after being mustered out of the Confederate army. Tradition records that a Union officer sent two mounted Negroes to Jolly's farm to apprehend him, but neither ever returned. When Jolly was later observed plowing their horses, it was deemed wiser to send four Negroes; these also failed to return. A whole company of Federal troopers next attempted to capture Jolly as he was attending church, but he leaped into the pulpit, and thence out of the window. The following day he walked boldly into Anderson, brandished a pistol at the colonel of the regiment, and demanded the return of his horse, which he had left behind on his hurried exit. The frightened colonel is said to have granted Jolly not only his horse, but unconditional amnesty as well. He soon got into more trouble, however, fled to Texas, bought a ranch, married, and made a belated attempt to settle down. His career soon ended, however, when he was drowned attempting to ford a river."