Benjamin Garlington was the third son of John and Susan W. (James)
Garlington.  He was born on November 4, 1836 in Laurens, South Carolina.  He
received his early education in an academy and a tutor in Laurens.  He
entered South Carolina College as a sophomore and died extremely well.
However, in 1856 the college temporarily closed because of a disturbance
between students and police.  Garlington was not involved, but obtained an
honorable withdrawal from college.  In the Fall of 1857 he entered the
University of Virginia. Returning to his home state, he passed the bar and
intended to set up a law practice when war clouds appeared.    
	
He became captain of Company A, 3rd South Carolina.  He had two brothers
in this unit.  At the regiment's reorganization on May 13, 1862, he was
elected lieutenant colonel.  The regiment's first casualties occurred a
month later just prior to the Seven Days Campaign.  The first major
encounter came at Savage Station on June 29, 1862.  It would be one of the
bloodiest battles of the entire war for the regiment.  While leading a
charge, Garlington was struck by a minie ball and mortally wounded.  Despite
his wound, he ordered his men, "Charge, boys, Charge!  Forward my brave
men!"  His men found him that night lying on his back, with his hands folded
upon his breast, and his sword stuck in the ground by his side.  He is
buried in the Laurens City Cemetery.
	
Garlington is one of the Civil War officers who died too early in the war
to fairly evaluate his abilities.   His intelligence and popularity with his
troops suggest that had he lived he would have developed into an important
regimental commander with potential of becoming a brigade commander.
Furthermore, he held great promise for his chosen career of law had he
survived the war.
	
A contemporary wrote of him, "beloved by all, his young life was as a
sunbeam, shedding light and happiness on those who came within its
influence.  In the social circle he was unrestrained and full of life.  His
habits were strictly temperate. . . .Had he been permitted to consummate the
life that was opening before him, he must, with abilities that fitted him
for the field and the forum, have taken a position in his State among the
most honored of her sons."