1st Regiment, South Carolina Artillery (Militia)

Brief History
This regiment entered state service on 27 December 1860, when four of its batteries were sent to occupy Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. Most of its batteries were transferred to Confederate service as independent commands between August and November 1861. The remnant of the regiment was ordered to disband on 26 September 1863, so that its members between the ages 40 and 50 could be recruited for the 3rd SC Infantry, State Troops.


 * Joseph H. Crute, Jr.'s book, "Units of the Confederate States Army", contains no history for this unit.
 * Footnote.com lists this regiment (also known as German Artillery) being in service and also states that some of the Companies became the South Carolina Light Artillery. Looking at the service records of the soldiers may give clues to the different regiments they may have served in.

Companies in this Regiment with the Counties of Origin
Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. After many battles, companies might be combined because so many men were killed or wounded. However if you are unsure which company your ancestor was in, try the company recruited in his county first.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 801 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.


 * Company A - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was called up for Confederate service at Charleston from 15 July to 26 September 1863.


 * Company B - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was called up for Confederate service at Charleston from 15 July to 26 September 1863.


 * Company C - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was called up for Confederate service at Charleston from 15 July to 26 September 1863.


 * Company D - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company E - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company F - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company G - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company H - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company I/J - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company N - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company P, aka Parker's Company, South Carolina Light Artillery, (Marion Artillery) - Roster,(accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was one of four sent to occupy Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island on 27 December 1860. It was transferred to Confederate service in August 1861.


 * Company R - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company S - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company T - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company W - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Company/Companies Unknown - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * German Artillery Company A - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was one of four sent to occupy Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island on 27 December 1860. It was transferred to Confederate service in November 1861.


 * German Artillery Company B - aka Captain Harms' Company - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was called up for active service during the period 8 - 31 October 1861. It was transferred to Confederate service on 14 November 1861.


 * Kanapaux's Company, South Carolina Light Artillery (Lafayette Artillery) - aka Captain J. J. Pope's, Jr. Company - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011).


 * Vigilant Rifles - (aka Tupper's Company) - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This company was converted from infantry and attached to the regiment on 18 January 1861. On 23 February 1861, it was ordered to take charge of the Five Gun Battery on Sullivan's Island, and remained there until relieved on 22 April 1861. It was recalled to active duty on 17 September 1861, and stationed at Fort Pickens on Battery Island until 1 November 1861.


 * Walter's Company, South Carolina Light Artillery (Washington Artillery) - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This battery was one of four sent to occupy Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island on 27 December 1860. It was stationed on Bull's Island from 18 July to 6 August 1861, and was transferred to Confederate service in February 1862.


 * Rutledge Mounted Riflemen and Horse Artillery - Roster, (accessed 5 Apr 2011). This company was attached to the regiment on 18 January 1861. During March and April 1861, detachments were stationed on James Island, Morris Island, and Battery Island. The company was mustered into Confederate service at Pocotaligo, on 22 February 1862.

Other Sources

 * Beginning United States Civil War Research gives steps for finding information about a Civil War soldier. It covers the major records that should be used. Additional records are described in ‘South Carolina in the Civil War’ and ‘United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865’ (see below).


 * National Park Service, The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, is searchable by soldier's name and state. It contains basic facts about soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, a list of regiments, descriptions of significant battles, sources of the information, and suggestions for where to find additional information.


 * South Carolina in the Civil War describes many Confederate and Union sources, specifically for South Carolina, and how to find them.. These include compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865 describes and explains United States and Confederate States records, rather than state records, and how to find them. These include veterans’ censuses, compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * Footnote.com (A subscription website, but is available for use at the Family History Library and some Family History Centers). It has digital Civil War soldier service records and brief regiment histories (located at the bottom of some of the muster rolls).


 * Hewett, Janet B., ed. Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Wilmington, North Carolina: Broadfoot Pub. Co., c1994-2001. . Lists officers, companies, some nicknames for the companies and dates involving the company and places where they were stationed. There are 8 Companies listed.