This was one of the first regiments organized by direction of
Governor Pickens early in 1861, under authority of An Act to
provide an Armed Military Force, passed by the General Assembly of
South Carolina, December 17, 1860. It entered State service in
April 1861, and was mustered into Confederate service at
Orangeburgh, by B[arnard] E. Bee, Lieutenant Colonel, S. C. I., Mustering
Officer, June 4, 1861. At the expiration of the year for which the
regiment had entered service, April 13, 1862, the regiment
disbanded. Colonel Jenkins then organized a regiment styled The
Palmetto Sharpshooters and most of the officers and men of the
disbanded Fifth joined the new regiment. Another Fifth was
immediately organized, their regimental officers being appointed,
or commissioned, April 23, 1862. It served in the Army of Northern
Virginia until the surrender at Appomattox, April 9, 1861.
FIELD STAFF AND BAND
The following muster rolls of the Field and Staff are available and
from them the succeeding roster has been compiled: Mustering in
roll, dated at Orangeburgh, June 4, 1861; of non commissioned staff
from April 13 to May 31, 1861; of non-commissioned staff and band,
June 30, 1861, at Camp Walker; Centreville; December 31, 1862, near
Fredricksburg; February 28, 1863 at Chester Station, VA., June 30,
1863, in camp near Richmond, VA.; August 31, 1864, at Petersburg,
VA.; October 31, 1864, on the Williamsburg Road, received at the
Adjutant General's office, Richmond, December 20, 1864; December
31, 1864, near Richmond; February 28, 1865, near Richmond, received
at Adjutant and Inspector General's office, Richmond, March 17,
1865; the list (very brief) of those who were paroled at Appomattox
following the surrender of Lee's army, April 9, 1865.
The muster roll for October 31, 1861, contains this memorandum:
Paid 14 Dec' for two months & clothing for second 6 months service
to those to whom it was due on 31 Oct 1861.
J D. Wright
A Q M C. S. A.
The muster roll for December 31, 1862, contains the following
"Record of Events":
Col. A. Coward took command of the Regiment 15th Nov" 1862. Left
Culpeper C. H. Va. on 21st Nov., arrived at camp near
Fredericksburg Nov. 23rd. Have changed Headquargers three times,
since we arrived in the vicinity of Fredericksbury. The Regiment
was not engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg.
The Following "Record of Events" is given on the muster roll of
June 30, 1863:
The regiment marched from its bivouac near Suffolk Va. on the night
of the 3rd May 1863 marched to its old Encampment near South Quays
on the Blackwater river Va. about 23 miles arriving there on the
next day. On the night of the 5th May marched from Camp about 15
miles in the direction of Blackwater Bridge where we bivouacked and
returned to the camp on the 7th of May. On the morning of the
15th, May about 3 oclock we marched past Franklin and formed line
of Battle about 1/4 mile of Carsville in this vicinity.
(occassionally being under the fire of the enemies Artillery and
infantry without being actually engaged ourselves until the night
of the 16th May, when we returned to the entrenchments & picket
duty until the 21st May when we returned to camp where we remained
only a few hours & marched to Blackwater Bridge about 17 miles when
we remained in Bivouac until 23rd May when we crossed Blackwater
Bridge and marched about 5 miles to the vicinity of Windsor where
we remained under the Artillery fire of the enemy occasionally
until that night when we recrossed the River & bivouacked &
remained there until the 26th May when we returned to our old camp.
Left camp again on the 27th, marched to Franklin lay at the
breastworks all day & night & on the 26th, marched to Joiners
Church & remaineed until evening. When we returned to camp on the
2nd June moved our camp 10 miles up the River to Laurences Ford on
the 4th June marched to Joiners Church, remained there that night
on the 5th marched to Munroes Ferry on the Nottoway River where we
remained in bivouac until the 7th, inst. when we marched to
Murfreesboro, N. C.
Record of events which may be necessary or useful for future
reference continued.
About 26 miles from Laurences Frod, reached Murfreesboro, N. C. on
the evening of the 7th, inst. and there in bivouac doing picket
duty until the 11th June when we marched & reached Boyakins Station
on the Sarboard and Roanoak R. R. a distance of about 18 miles on
the 11th June. Left Boyakins Station on the 1th, & marched to
Monroes Ferry & on the next day (13th) marched to Murfees Station
on same R. R. Went by rail from Murfees Station to Weldon on the
14th June & to Petersburg on the 15th., bivouacked about 3 miles
from Petersburg & took R. R. on 18th., and reached Murfee Station
that evening, remained there until 21st when we marched to Ivor
Station on Petersburg & Norfolk R. R. about 25 miles took cars and
reached Petersbury on 22nd. Camped about 3 miles from the city -
left there 28th by R. R. and reached Richmond same day.
The following "Record of Events" is given on the muster roll of
August 31, 1864:
Since last Muster of the Regiment performed duty on the trenches
around Petersburg until 28th of July when it was moved to the north
side of James River and placed in position near New Market Heights
Aug. 14th, the enemy pressed our picket line - the pickets of the
Brigade on the left being forced back. Ten men of Co. "I" and one
of Co. "H" were captured. On 16th, the Regt. was temporarily
detached from the Bridage and ordered to report to Gen, Gregg on
Darby-town Road, the enemy having carried the breastworks at that
point. In conjunction with three Regts of Bennings Brigade, the
Regt. charged and captured the line of works. Loss was one officer
killed, two wounded, six men killed, eighteen wounded. Ordered to
Petersbury on the 24th of Aug. and remained in reserve until date
of Muster.
A. Coward
Col.
The following "Record of Events" is given on the muster roll of
October 31, 1864:
Sept. 4th left the line near Petersburg and marched to vicinity of
Reams Station. The following day came back to Cox X Roads and
while here assisted in erecting a line of works near the Squirrel
Level Raod. We were here from the 8th to the 25th Sept. on the
29th marched form Cox X Roads to Chopins farm on this side of the
James 30th, was engaged in the Ft. Harrison assault. From 1st to
5th Oct engaged in Constructing works near Ft. Gilmer. 6th moved
to Darbytown Road and on the 7th engaged the enemy. Here we lost
our sergt major by mortal wound received in action. We remained in
the vicinity of Darbytown Road, constructing works, till 18th,
having some skirmishing in meantime. 19th moved to Charles City
Raod 27th engaged the enemy on the Williamsburg Road and since have
remained on Williamsburg Road.
The Following "Record of Events" appears on the muster roll
February 28, 1865:
The Regt. has been in no engagement since last muster. Remained in
Camp on the Williamsburg road till 24th Feby. when we moved to
right near Fort Gilmer.
Rosters of the companies, both before and after the reorganization
appear to be complete. Approx. 2,000 men are listed overall with
brief service records.
