Charles Baxley Obituary, Death – Charles Baxley of Lugoff, South Carolina, was a legendary figure in the field of American Revolutionary history. He passed away lately. Charles worked as an attorney in Lugoff, South Carolina, with Baxley, Wells & Benson until his retirement. Charles earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from the University of South Carolina.
He was active in numerous professional and community groups, spent fifteen years on the bench, and was a captain in the United States Air Force Reserves. However, the study of history, and the American Revolution in particular, was Charles’ true calling. In order to preserve and interpret the Camden battlefield, Charles collaborated with numerous local groups and historians. Charles was the most knowledgeable about the Camden story.
Hey there, Charles! He toiled away at telling the tale of South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution as editor and publisher of the online journal Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution. Charles was actively involved with the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust and the Liberty Trail; he most recently served as Chair of the South Carolina 250th Commission. We first met Charles about fifteen years ago at his open invitation to everyone doing Revolutionary War study on South Carolina.
No one could “suffer fools” Charles, who demanded precision and excellent study. We count it a privilege to have known Charles as a friend, and his endearing southern charm won over many. We greatly appreciate his assistance with our Camden book, “All That Can Be Expected,” and he went over our manuscript, particularly the maps, with a fine tooth comb.
As writers, we were genuinely motivated by his enthusiasm for this particular part of South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history to accurately portray the Camden story. Charles will never be replaced, and his passing is a heavy blow to the preservation and historical communities. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to carry on his legacy by carrying out our work with diligence, enthusiasm, and, above all, knowledge.