4th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry (Rutledge's)

United States   U.S. Military    South Carolina    South Carolina Military    South Carolina in the Civil War    South Carolina Civil War Confederate Units 1st through 4th      South Carolina Militia      4th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry (Rutledge's)

Brief History
4th Cavalry Regiment, also called Rutledge's Regiment of Cavalry and Rutledge's Cavalry, was organized in January, 1863, by consolidating the 10th and 12th Battalions South Carolina Cavalry. Some of these Cavalry companies existed prior to the war as Militia Companies. An earlier date, 16 December 1862, has also been suggested for organization.

The 10th Cavalry Battalion [also called 3rd Battalion] was organized during late spring of 1862 with five companies. The unit served in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and in January, 1863, merged into the 4th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment. The 12th Cavalry Battalion was also known as the 4th Battalion prior to its merger into the 4th Cavalry Regiment. The 4th Cavalry Regiment surrendered on April 26, 1865.

See also: 10th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry and 12th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry (4th Squadron)

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 (may have been known as Charleston Light Dragoons) - Chesterfield District (County) Darlington District (County) and Lancaster District (County); a few from Horry District (County), Marlboro District (County) and Kershaw District (County) - Roster, (accessed 8 Apr 2011).
 * Company B (also known as the Palmetto Rangers) - Chesterfield District (County) and Fairfield District (County)**
 * Company C (also known as the Calhoun Troop) - Oconee, Pickens District (County) (areas that are now in Pickens and Oconee Counties) and Anderson District (County) (Pendleton)
 * Company D - (also known as Santee Mounted Riflemen and St. James Mounted Riflemen ) - Georgetown District (County), a few from Charleston District (County), Clarendon District (County), Beaufort District (County) and Horry District (County)
 * Company E - Marlboro District (County), a few from Horry District (County), Georgetown District (County), Williamsburg District (County), Marion District (County) and Darlington District (County) - Roster
 * Company F (also known as the E. M. Dragoons) - Marion District (County), a few from Williamsburg District (County), Georgetown District (County), and Clarendon District (County)
 * Company G (also known as the Evans Light Dragons) - Orangeburg District (County) and Colleton District County)
 * Company H (also known as the Catawba Rangers) - Lancaster District (County)
 * Company I (also known as the Williamsburg Light Dragoons) - Williamsburg District (County), Georgetown District (County), and Clarendon District (County); a few from Horry District (County)
 * Company K (also known as the Charleston Light Dragoons and may have been known as the Charleston Light Hussars ) - Charleston District (County) - Roster, (accessed 8 Apr 2011).

Additional Source Material

 * Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System can be searched by soldier's name or by regiment; includes regimental rosters and additional history of the regiment. This site uses Joseph H. Crute's book, Units of the Confederate States Army as their main source for the regiment history. . This book is also availabe through other libraries.
 * 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 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). (Accessed December 2010)
 * "4th Cavalry Regiment". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/03/2010. Lists a brief Regiment History and Company Rosters.
 * "South Carolina Cavalry - Fourth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment". South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Steve Batson's Internet site, accessed 12/01/2010. This website lists officers of the regiment, company county of orgin and nickkname.
 * "4th Regiment South Carolina Cavalry", Wikipedia, Internet site, accessed 12/07/2010. Gives a brief history of the regiment and lists the officers and companies.
 * "4th Regiment, SouthCarolina Cavalry (Rutledge's)". The Civil War- The South Carolina Calvery. Internet site, accessed 12/08/2010. Contains a history of the regiment.
 * 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 10 Companies (A-I, K) listed.
 * Seigler, Robert S. South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, c2008, 215-226. . 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.
 * Elmore, Albert Rhett. Incidents of service with the Charleston Light Dragoons  (Nashville, Tenn., 1916) Incidents of service with the Charleston Light Dragoons -K Company. Book at WorldCat.org
 * Stokes, William and Lloyd Halliburton  Saddle soldiers : the Civil War correspondence of General William Stokes of the 4th South Carolina Cavalry ( Orangeburg, S.C. : Sandlapper Pub. Co., ©1993), 265 pages. The night after the commander of the 4th South Carolina Regiment sent his men home, he burned the wagon with the regiment's records rather than have it fall into enemy hands. Lloyd Halliburton has reconstructed the story from General Stokes' personal correspondence and memorabilia. Book atWorldCat.com
 * Wells, Edward Laight. Hampton and his cavalry in '64 ( Richmond, Va., B.F. Johnson pub. company, 1899), 429 pages. Includes a description of activities of Hampton's Brigade in the South Carolina Cavalry. Book at WorldCat.org