1st Regiment, South Carolina Rifles (Orr's)

Brief History
1st Regiment Rifles, known as Orr's Rifles and Orr's Regiment, South Carolina Rifles, was organized at Sandy Springs, South Carolina, in July 20, 1861. Its members were recruited in the counties of Abbeville, Pickens, Anderson, and Marion. The unit was first stationed on Sullivan's Island and called by the other troops "The Pound Cake Regiment" because of its light duty. Then in April, 1862, it moved to Virginia with 1,000 men. Assigned to General Gregg's and McGowan's Brigade. 1st Regiment, South Carolina Rifles, surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865.

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.


 * Company A - (also known as Kowee Riflemen) - many men from Pickens District (County) and Oconee District (County) and a few from Anderson District (County).


 * Company B - (also known as Abbeville Minutemen or McDuffie Guards or Rifles) -many men from Abbeville District (County)


 * Company C - (also known as Mountain Boys or Pickens Boys) - many men from Pickens District (County) and Oconee District (County)


 * Company D - (also known as Orr's Rifles) - many men from Anderson District (County)


 * Company E - (also known as Oconee Riflemen or Oconee Rifles) - many men from Pickens District ( County) and Abbeville District (County)


 * Company F - (also known as Blue Ridge Rifles or Riflemen and Blue Ridge Volunteers) - many men from Pickens District (County) and Oconee  District (County) - Roster


 * Company G - (also known as Marshall Riflemen or Rifles and Abbeville Riflemen) - many men from Abbeville District (County). Due West and McDonaldsville area.


 * Company H - (also known as Pee Dee Guards) - many men from Marion District (County) and a few from Marlboro District (County)


 * Company I - (not created)


 * Company K - (also known as Marshall Guards) - many men from Anderson District (County).  Belton area.


 * Company L - (also known as Calhoun Guards) - many men from Anderson District (County) and a few from Greenville District (County), Spartanburg District (County) and Pickens District (County), and from Georgia.

Information about the Company names, nicknames and counties of origin were taken from the following references: Seigler, Hewett , and Batson.

In 1862 there was a reorganization of many military units which affected these companies. See Steve Batson's internet site: "South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States", Orr's First South Carolina Rifles for futher information about these companies and their reorganization into other companies and military units. This website also lists officers of the regiment and companies.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 2,287 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

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.


 * Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of South Carolina. Microfilm publication M267. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1958. These records have been indexed and digitized and are available at Footnote.com (A subscription website, but is available for use at the FamilySearch 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). (Accessed December 2010)


 * 1st (Orr's Rifles) Infantry, from The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources, accessed 11/19/2010, lists a couple of names from Company C and a brief Regiment history.


 * Orr's Rifles. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010. Lists brief history according to Robert M. Lyles. It gives a roster for Company F.


 * 1st Regiment South Carolina Rifles (Orr's Rifles) Descendants Assoication. PetersburgBreakthrough.org. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010. Gives brief information about the unit, a link to descendants of soldiers from this unit and a listing (added by descendants) of the ancestor soldier. Also there are references to other information.

Books and Films


 * "Orr's South Carolina rifles, brief sketch of the famous regiment from the pen of one who fought in its ranks" by J. W. Mattison from Southern Historical Society Papers. XXVII (1899) 157-65. Google Books


 * For some information about Company H see:Pee Dee Light Artillery of Maxcy Gregg's (later Samuel McGowan's) brigade, first South Carolina volunteers (infantry) C. S. A., a historical sketch and roster : to which has been added the rosters of the three Pee Dee infantry companies (from Darlington, Horry and Marion counties) which were supported by the Pee Dee artillery, by Joseph Woods Brunson (University, Alabama: Confederate Pub., c1983)., FS Library book 975.7 M2bjr.


 * Caldwell, James F. J. The history of a brigade of South Carolinians, known first as Gregg's brigade and subsequently as McGowan's brigade. Microfiche of original published: Philadelphia : King and Baird, Printers, 1866. 247 p., Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1990. Google Books,, . The regiments which composed Gregg's Brigade of South Carolina Infantry, as it was commonly known, and which always composed McGowan's Brigade, were the following: the First South Carolina Volunteers, the Twelfth South Carolina Volunteers, the Thirteenth South Carolina Volunteers, the Fourteenth South Carolina Volunteers, and Orr's regiment of rifles, also from South Carolina.


 * 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, and dates involving the company and places where they were stationed. There are 11 Companies (A-I, K-L) listed.
 * Norton, Sarah Mills. Generations Back : Norton &amp; Related Lines : Family Manuscripts, Civil War Papers of J.J. Norton (Walhalla, S.C. : Norton, ©1977), 336 pages. Book at WorldCat.
 * Seigler, Robert S. South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, c2008. . This book has an overview about the creation of the military units for service during the Civil War. There are four volumes which are divided into areas of the State. There is information about the different military units including dates of organization and service, company officers, battle engagements, company names and places of origin, and a few pictures. This book is also available through other libraries.