Historical Notes:
The First South Carolina Regiment of Cavalry was formed in 1861 using the SC 1st Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. The men were from Charleston and the counties of Abbeyville, Allendale, Chester, and Georgetown. It served in South Carolina, then moved to Virginia and was assigned to General Wade Hampton's, M.C. Butler's, W.H. F. Lee's, and P.M.B. Young's Brigade. The regiment fought at Chambersburg, Fredericksburg , Brandy Station , Upperville , Gettysburg , Bristoe , Kelly's Ford , and Mine Run . Ordered south, it served under Colonel G.P. Harrison and later Generals Bonham and Logan. It was prominent in the defense of Savannah and the campaigning of the Carolinas. This unit had 339 effectives at Gettysburg, but only 46 were present in February, 1865. It was included in the surrender of the Army of Tennessee.
Officers:
Colonel:
John L. Black
Lieutenant Colonels:
John D. Twiggs
William A. Walker
Major:
Niles Nesbitt Assignments:
2nd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (June-August 1862)
3rd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (September 1862)
Hampton's Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia (November 1862-September 1863)
W. H. F. Lee's Brigade, F. Lee's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (September 1863)
Butler's-Young's Brigade, Hampton's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (September 1863-March 1864)
Taliaferro's Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (July December 1864)
Harrison's Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (December 1864)
Ripley's Brigade, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida [Company K] (July-November 1864)
Cavalry, McLaws' Divison, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (January 1865)
Harrison's Brigade, McLaws' Division, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (January 1865)
Elliot's Brigade, Taliaferro's Division, Hardee's Corps (January- February 1865)
Harrison's Brigade, McLaws' Division, Hardee's Corps [detachment] (January-February 1865)
Unattached, Taliaferro's Division, Hardee's Corps [Company E] (January-February 1865)
Mercer's Brigade, Wright's Division, Hardee's Corps [Company K] (January-Febrary 1865)
Logan's Brigade, Butler's Division, Hampton's Cavalry Command, Army of Tennessee (April 1865)
Service:
Dumfries [detachment] (December 12, 1862)
Fredericksburg (Decmber 13, 1862)
Raid on Dumfries & Fairfax Station (December 27-29, 1862)
on the Occoquan River [skirmish] (December 19, 1862)
Brandy Station (June 9, 1863)
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Hunterstown (July 2, 1863)
Bristoe Campaign (October 9-22, 1863)
Mine Run Campaign (November-December 1863)
Chapman's Fort, Ashepoo River (May 26, 1864)
Carolinas Campaign (February-April 1865)
Moccasin Swamp (April 10, 1865) Roster:
"A" men from Abbeville, had been Company "A", First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"B" nicknamed the Ferguson Rangers; had been Company "B", First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"C" men from Allendale County ; had been Company "C", First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"D" nicknamed the Chester Troop; men from Chester County; had been Company "D" First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"E" men from Charleston; had been Company "E", First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"F" had been Company "F", First South Carolina Cavalry Battalion
"G" men from Charleston; had been Company "A", First South Carolina State Cavalry Battalion
"H" men from Georgetown County; had been Company "B", First South Carolina State Cavalry Battalion
"I" nicknamed the Round o Troop; men from Charleston; had been Company "C", First South Carolina State Cavalry Battalion
"K" had been Company "D", First South Carolina State Cavalry Battalion