James Wesley "West" Harman,( wife: Laura Susan Kleckley) ( 13 November 1845 to 19 May 1904 ), My Great, Great, Grandfather, was born in Lexington, South Carolina and died in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the Son of Jeremiah Harman and Elizabeth Leitz. He was a 3rd. degree Master Mason, member of the Lexington Masonic Lodge. He served as Steward and Tyler.

He joined Co. K, 20th. South Carolina Infantry 07 November 1861 as the 20th. was just forming. He served in the same unit with his brothers, Franklin James Harman, and George Washington Harman.

The 20th. South Carolina Regiment was formed in January of 1862 in Charleston, South Carolina and the Regimental Officers were: Colonel Lawrence M. Keitt, Lt. Col. O.M. Dansler, Major S.M. Boykin, Adjunt John Wilson, Quartermaster John P. Kinard, Surgeon Dr. Salley and Chaplain Rev. W.W.Duncan.

The 20th. South Carolina Infantry was composed of Companies A thru M with Company M being named "Keitt's Mounted Rifles".

In February of 1862 the 20th. was transferred to the west end of James Island near Secessionville, SC. The 16th. of July, the 20th. was sent to advance on Battery Wagner. In the fall of 1862 they were transferred to Sullivans Island. The 20th. left Charleston May 16th. of 1864 and joined Kershaw's Brigade near the North Anna River , North of Richmond to fight with the Army of Northern Virginia.

ENGAGEMENTS: The Battles of the 20th. were:

* Charleston Harbor - 07 Apr. 1863
* Charleston Harbor - Aug. - Sep. 1863
* Cold Harbor, VA - 01 - 03 Jun. 1864
* Petersburg Siege, VA - Jun. 1864 - Apr. 1865
* Berryville, VA - Aug. 1864
* Near Port Republic at Cross Keys, VA - 07 Oct. 1864
* Near Strasburg, VA - 14 Oct. 1864
* Cedar Creek at Middletown, VA - 19 Oct. 1864
* Carolinas Campaign South Carolina - Feb. - Apr. 1865
* Averasboro, NC - 16 Mar. 1865
* Bentonville, NC - 19 - 21 Mar. 1865

My Great, Great, Grandfather James Wesley"West" Harman died on 19 May 1904 where he was attending the Annual Confederate Reunion in Charleston, SC. He and friends were in a boat in Charleston Harbor and the boat capsized and he drowned. Here is the Obituary:

My Great, Great, Grandfather James Wesley"West" Harman's Grave He and his brothers are buried at: Providence Lutheran Church, Lexington, SC