1st Regiment, South Carolina Militia (Charleston Reserves)

Brief History
"The South Carolina 1st Infantry Regiment Reserves was organized in Charleston early in the war. It was made up mostly of old men and boys. For the first three years these men stayed around Charleston and were involved in the Siege of Charleston in 1863. When Sherman's troops invaded the state in 1865, the 1st joined up with McLaws Georgia troops in defense of the state."

Seigler's book gives an excellent history on this military unit.

A possible other Regiment to look at is 1st Regiment Charleston Guard, First State Troops, (Six Months, 1863-64). In the soldier service records on Footnote.com it states "This regiment appears to have been composed of South Carolina Militia in the service of the Confederate States."

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.

Many of the soldiers in this regiment enlisted at Charleston. Information about the companies is taken from Seigler's book. See his book for more indepth information about the company and officers.


 * Company A (also known as the Hibernian Guard, Company #1) - Men were older members of the Irish Volunteers


 * Company B - (also known as the Charleston Home Guard, Company #2)


 * Company C - (also known as the Pickens Rifles, Company #3)


 * Company D - (also known as the Reserve Guard #4)


 * Company E - (also known as the Reserve Guard #5)


 * Company F - (also known as the Reserve Guard #6)


 * Company G - (also known as Company #7)


 * Company H - (also known as Company #8) - Roster


 * Company I - (No Company I)


 * Company J - (J was used unofficially and sometimes referred to as Company I)


 * Company K - (also known as the tenth)


 * Pickens Rifles - (Possible two units with the same name)

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 529 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).


 * 1st Regiment Militia (Charleston Reserves) (Infantry) from The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources, accessed 11/22/2010, lists a brief Regiment History.


 * 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 9 Companies (A-I) listed.


 * 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.