1st South Carolina Cavalry
Confederate States Army, 1861–1865
Hampton’s Brigade · Army of Northern Virginia · Army of Tennessee
The 1st South Carolina Cavalry served from the South Carolina coast to Gettysburg and back to the Carolinas. My 3rd great-grandfather, Bluford Russell Holland, rode with Company B. These pages gather what I have found on the regiment and the men who served in it.
At a Glance
- Organized: as the 1st South Carolina Cavalry Battalion, 31 October 1861; raised to a regiment of ten companies, 25 June 1862.
- Commander: Col. John Logan Black.
- Served with: Hampton’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia (Nov. 1862–March 1864); the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (1864–early 1865); the Army of Tennessee (1865).
- Major battles: Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns, Savannah, and the Carolinas Campaign.
- Surrendered: with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett Place, Durham Station, NC, 26 April 1865.
- Companies: A through K (there was no Company J). See the company rosters.
On This Page
- In This Section
- The Companies
- Unit History
- Organization
- Command Assignments
- Engagements
- Corrections and Additions
- Sources and Open Questions
In This Section
| Page | What you will find |
|---|---|
| Company rosters | Rosters of all ten companies, A through K, with a form on each page for corrections. |
| Memorials | Family memorials, obituaries and photographs of men of the regiment, sent in by descendants. |
| Official Records | Reports and orders about the regiment, transcribed from the Official Records. |
| Brandy Station | The largest cavalry battle of the war, 9 June 1863, and the regiment’s part in it. |
| Camp Johnson | The camp at Lightwood Knot Springs near Columbia where many of the men enlisted in 1861. |
| Miscellany | The Company F flag, the Confederate rolls of South Carolina, and other finds. |
| Bluford Russell Holland | My 3rd great-grandfather, 1st corporal in Company B. |
The Companies
| Company | Raised in | Also known as | Battalion company | Men on roster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company A | Abbeville | Moses T. Owen’s Cavalry (Major) | Company A | 140 |
| Company B | Laurens County | “Ferguson Rangers”; J. H. Copeland’s Cavalry | Company B | 131 |
| Company C | Allendale County | John D. Twiggs’ Cavalry (Lieutenant Colonel) | Company C | 132 |
| Company D | Chester County | “Chester Troop”; William A. Walker’s Cavalry (Lieutenant Colonel) | Company D | 143 |
| Company E | Charleston | James D. Trezevant’s Cavalry (Captain) | Company E | 111 |
| Company F | Pickens County | L. W. Lusk’s Cavalry (2nd Lieutenant) | Company F | 148 |
| Company G | Charleston | — | Company A | 141 |
| Company H | Georgetown County | — | Company B | 117 |
| Company I | — | “Round O Troop” | Company C | 131 |
| Company K | — | Angus P. Brown’s Cavalry (Captain) | Company D | 125 |
Unit History
The First South Carolina Cavalry was organized in October 1861, by the consolidation of the First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion and the recently discharged First South Carolina State Cavalry Battalion. Both of these units were six-company organizations. They were ordered up to Northern Virginia in the fall of 1862. Assigned to Gen. Wade Hampton’s Brigade, they took part in numerous battles and engagements such as Chambersburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Kelly’s Ford, and Mine Run. Ordered south to defend their native state in the fall of 1864, the First South Carolina Cavalry served in the defense of Savannah and in the Campaign of the Carolinas. After four years of service, the regiment ended the war with the Army of Tennessee in April 1865.
The regiment appears to have been one of the larger cavalry units with the Army of Tennessee in January 1865, and it may have had as many as two hundred officers and men when it finally laid down its arms.
Organization
From the Compendium of the Confederate Armies.
1st South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
- Organized: with six companies for the war, 31 October 1861, per Special Orders No. 198, Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office. Increased to nine companies in early 1862, and to a regiment, the 1st Cavalry Regiment, on 25 June 1862.
- First commander: John L. Black (Lieutenant Colonel).
- Field officer: John D. Twiggs (Major).
- Assignments: Department of South Carolina (Oct.–Nov. 1861); Department of South Carolina and Georgia (Nov.–Dec. 1861); 3rd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (Dec. 1861–May 1862); 2nd Military District of South Carolina, same department (May–June 1862).
1st South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
- Organized: by the increase of the 1st Cavalry Battalion (nine companies) to a regiment, 25 June 1862.
- Surrendered: by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Durham Station, NC, 26 April 1865.
- First commander: John L. Black (Colonel).
- Field officers: Niles Nesbitt (Major); Moses T. Owen (Major); John D. Twiggs (Lieutenant Colonel); William A. Walker (Major, Lieutenant Colonel).
| Period | Assignment |
|---|---|
| June–Aug. 1862 | 2nd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Sept. 1862 | 3rd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Nov. 1862–Sept. 1863 | Hampton’s Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia |
| Sept. 1863 | W. H. F. Lee’s Brigade, F. Lee’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia |
| Sept. 1863–March 1864 | Butler’s–Young’s Brigade, Hampton’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia |
| July–Nov. 1864 | Ripley’s Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida [Company K] |
| July–Dec. 1864 | Taliaferro’s Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Dec. 1864 | Harrison’s Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan. 1865 | Cavalry, McLaws’ Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan. 1865 | Harrison’s Brigade, McLaws’ Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan.–Feb. 1865 | Elliot’s Brigade, Taliaferro’s Division, Hardee’s Corps |
| Jan.–Feb. 1865 | Harrison’s Brigade, McLaws’ Division, Hardee’s Corps [detachment] |
| Jan.–Feb. 1865 | Unattached, Taliaferro’s Division, Hardee’s Corps [Company E] |
| Jan.–Feb. 1865 | Mercer’s Brigade, Wright’s Division, Hardee’s Corps [Company K] |
| March–April 1865 | Logan’s Brigade, Butler’s Division, Hampton’s Cavalry Command |
| April 1865 | Logan’s Brigade, Butler’s Division, Hampton’s Cavalry Command, Army of Tennessee |
Battles listed in the Compendium:
- Pocotaligo [skirmish] (May 29, 1862) — as a battalion
- John’s Island [skirmish] (June 7, 1862) — as a battalion
- Dumfries [detachment] (Dec. 12, 1862)
- Fredericksburg (Dec. 13, 1862)
- On the Occoquan River [skirmish] (Dec. 19, 1862)
- Raid on Dumfries and Fairfax Station (Dec. 27–29, 1862)
- Brandy Station (June 9, 1863)
- Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
- Hunterstown (July 2, 1863)
- Bristoe Campaign (Oct. 9–22, 1863)
- Mine Run Campaign (Nov.–Dec. 1863)
- Chapman’s Fort, Ashepoo River (May 26, 1864)
- Carolinas Campaign (Feb.–April 1865)
- Moccasin Swamp (April 10, 1865)
Command Assignments
When mustered into Confederate service, the regiment was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Ordered north in late 1862, it served in the Army of Northern Virginia until 18 March 1864. It then returned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida until the spring of 1865, and ended the war with the Army of Tennessee. At times the companies were split up, as the table shows.
| Date | Companies | Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 1862 | Cavalry, First Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida | |
| June 30, 1862 | Cavalry, Second Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida | |
| Sept. 25, 1862 | Cavalry, First Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida | |
| Nov. 10, 1862 | Hampton’s Brigade, Cavalry, Army of Northern Virginia | |
| Dec. 10, 1862 | First Brigade, Cavalry, Army of Northern Virginia | |
| May 25, 1863 | Hampton’s Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia | |
| Sept. 9, 1863 | W. H. F. Lee’s Brigade, Fitzhugh Lee’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia | |
| Dec. 31, 1863 | Young’s Brigade, Hampton’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia | |
| July 1, 1864 | Three companies | Ripley’s Brigade, First and Fourth Districts (consolidated), Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| July 1, 1864 | Nine companies | Cavalry, McLaws’ Division, District of Georgia, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Oct. 31, 1864 | One company | Ripley’s Brigade, Second Sub-District, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Oct. 31, 1864 | Five companies | Taliaferro’s Brigade, Third Sub-District, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Oct. 31, 1864 | Six companies | Post of Florence, South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan. 31, 1865 | Company E | Not brigaded, Taliaferro’s Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan. 31, 1865 | Company K | Mercer’s Brigade, Wright’s Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| Jan. 31, 1865 | Ten companies | Harrison’s Brigade, McLaws’ Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida |
| March 15, 1865 | Bonham’s Brigade, Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee | |
| April 9, 1865 | Logan’s Brigade, Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee |
Engagements
| Date | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1862 | ||
| Feb. 10 | Skirmish | Barnwell Island, SC (detachment) |
| June 7 | Skirmish | John’s Island, SC |
| Oct. 1 | Skirmish | Occoquan, Dumfries, VA (detachment) |
| Oct. 8–11 | Stuart’s Raid | Maryland and Pennsylvania (detachment) |
| Oct. 10 | Action | Chambersburg, PA |
| Nov. 5 | Action | Barbee’s Cross Roads, VA |
| Nov. 28 | Picket affair | Hartwood Church, VA (detachment) |
| Dec. 12–15 | Battle | Fredericksburg, VA |
| Dec. 12 | Skirmish | Dumfries, VA (detachment) |
| Dec. 20 | Skirmish | Dumfries, Occoquan, VA |
| Dec. 27–28 | Skirmishes | near Occoquan, VA (detachment) |
| 1863 | ||
| Feb. 5–7 | Operations | Rappahannock Bridge and Grove Church, VA |
| April 27–May 6 | Campaign | Chancellorsville Campaign |
| April 29–May 8 | Operations | against Stoneman’s Raid, VA |
| June 3–Aug. 1 | Campaign | Gettysburg Campaign |
| June 9 | Engagement | Brandy Station, Beverly Ford, VA |
| June 17 | Action | Aldie, VA |
| June 21 | Engagement | Upperville, VA |
| June 28 | Skirmish | Rockville, MD |
| June 30 | Action | Hanover, PA |
| July 1–3 | Battle | Gettysburg, PA |
| July 4 | Action | Monterey Gap, PA |
| July 5–24 | Retreat | to near Manassas Gap, VA |
| July 5 | Skirmish | Fairfield, PA |
| July 6 | Action | Hagerstown, MD |
| July 6 | Action | Williamsport, MD |
| Sept. 10–11 | Skirmishes | Stevensburg, VA |
| Sept. 11 | Skirmish | Raccoon Ford, VA |
| Sept. 13 | Skirmish | Stevensburg, VA |
| Sept. 14–16 | Action | Raccoon Ford, Rapidan Station, VA |
| Sept. 15 | Skirmish | Robertson’s Ford, VA |
| Sept. 19 | Skirmish | Raccoon Ford, VA |
| Sept. 21 | Skirmish | Madison Court House, VA |
| Sept. 21–22 | Skirmishes | White’s Ford, VA |
| Sept. 22 | Skirmish | Jack’s Shop, Madison Court House, VA |
| Sept. 23 | Action | Robertson’s Ford, VA |
| Oct. 5–10 | Skirmishes | near James City, VA |
| Oct. 9–22 | Campaign | Bristoe Campaign |
| Oct. 10 | Action | James City, Rappahannock, Robertson’s River, VA |
| Oct. 12 | Action | Warrenton, White Sulphur Springs, VA |
| Oct. 12 | Action | Brandy Station, VA |
| Oct. 14 | Skirmish | Brentsville, VA (detachment) |
| Oct. 16 | Skirmish | Oak Hill, VA (detachment) |
| Oct. 19 | Action | Buckland’s Mills, VA |
| Oct. 19 | Skirmish | Haymarket, VA |
| Nov. 7 | Engagement | Kelly’s Ford, VA |
| Nov. 18 | Skirmish | near Germania Ford, VA |
| Nov. 26–Dec. 2 | Campaign | Mine Run Campaign |
| Nov. 27 | Action | New Hope Church, VA |
| Nov. 29–30 | Skirmishes | along Mine Run, VA |
| Nov. 29 | Action | Parker’s Store, VA |
| 1864 | ||
| May 8 | — | on the Rapidan, VA |
| May 26 | Affair | Chapman’s Fort, Ashepoo River, SC (detachment) |
| Nov. 15–Dec. 10 | Campaign | against Savannah, GA (Sherman’s March to the Sea) (detachment) |
| Dec. 10–21 | Siege | Savannah, GA (detachment) |
| 1865 | ||
| Jan. 30–April 26 | Campaign | Campaign of the Carolinas |
| Feb. 4 | Skirmish | Angley’s Post Office, SC |
| Feb. 4 | Skirmish | Buford’s Bridge, South Edisto River, Barnwell District, SC |
| Feb. 8 | Skirmish | Williston, SC |
| Feb. 8 | Skirmish | near White Post, SC |
| Feb. 12–13 | Skirmishes | North Edisto River, SC |
| Feb. 14 | Skirmish | Wolf Plantation, SC |
| Feb. 15 | Skirmish | Red Bank Creek, SC |
| Feb. 16–17 | Skirmishes | about Columbia, SC |
| Feb. 25 | Skirmish | West’s Cross Roads, SC |
| Feb. 26 | Skirmish | near Stroud’s Mill, SC |
| Feb. 27 | Skirmish | Mount Elon, SC |
| Feb. 28 | Skirmish | near Cheraw, SC |
| Feb. 28 | Skirmish | near Rocky Mount, SC |
| March 3 | Skirmish | near Hillsborough, SC |
| March 4 | Skirmish | Phillips’ Cross Roads, SC |
| March 8 | Skirmish | Love’s Bridge (Blue’s Bridge), SC |
| March 8 | Engagement | Monroe’s Cross Roads, SC |
| March 18 | Skirmish | near Benton’s Cross Roads, NC |
| March 19–21 | Battle | Bentonville, NC |
| March 22 | Skirmish | Hannah’s Creek, NC |
| March 31 | Skirmish | Gulley’s, NC |
| April 10 | Skirmish | Moccasin Swamp, NC |
| April 11 | Skirmish | near Smithfield, NC |
| April 26 | Surrender | Bennett’s House, Durham Station, NC |
Corrections and Additions
Do you have a soldier to add, a correction, or a family story, photograph or letter about a man of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry? Please send it here. If you know his company, choose it from the list.
Sources and Open Questions
Sources
- Stewart Sifakis, Compendium of the Confederate Armies: South Carolina and Georgia.
- Col. John Logan Black, Crumbling Defenses, or Memoirs and Reminiscences of John Logan Black, Colonel, C.S.A. (HathiTrust).
- Command assignments and engagements compiled by Lisa Bowes over some twenty years from many sources.
- The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. See Official Records.
Open Questions
- What happened on 8 May 1864 “on the Rapidan”? The kind of engagement is not recorded.
1st SC Cavalry: Regiment history · Company A · Company B · Company C · Company D · Company E · Company F · Company G · Company H · Company I · Company K · Memorials · Official Records · Brandy Station · Camp Johnson · Miscellany