Holcombe Legion, South Carolina

Brief History
The Holcombe Legion was organized November 21, 1861. It was also known for a short time as Stevens Legion in December of 1861. The Holcombe Legion organized with a cavalry and infantry battalion but no artillery companies. The four-company cavalry battalion served for a time with the legion but was assigned to the Department of Richmond, and eventually became part of the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry on March 18th 1864. The infantry battalion was formed with eight companies, later increased to ten. During the war it was attached to Evans', Elliot's, and Wallace's Brigade. A portion of Holcombe Legion was present at the surrender on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.

Companies:

Calvary Companies

Company A - Claremont Cavalry

Company B  - Congaree Mounted Guard/Mounted Riflemen/ Cavaliers

Company C  - Newberry Rangers

Company D  - McKissick Rangers

Company E - (After April 1863) The Kirkwoods - Captain William Shannon - An Independent Calvary Unit until April 1863. Organized in September of 1861, they were in Richmond VA by October 18th 1861 confirmed by a letter written by a member of the Company on that date plus discharge records of various soldiers while they were in Camp in Richmond VA; they were assigned to the 6th Virginia Calvary on November 10th 1861 by Special Order 505 Paragraph 2; Headquarters Army of the Potomac  ☂. Captain Shannon retired in June of 1862 and was succeeded by Captain James Doby. At the 2nd Battle of Manassas/Bull Run, they provided escort to Lt. General Longstreet. The unit continued as independent until April of 1863 at which time Captain Doby begins to sign requisitions as Captain of Company E of the Holcombe Legion. March 18th 1864 – re- designated as Company H - 7th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment on 18 March 1864, Special Orders Number 65, Adjutant and Inspector General's Officer. Field Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Wm. P. Shingler.

Infantry Companies

INFANTRY CO. A: Captain William J. Smith

INFANTRY CO B: Captain A. B. Briant

INFANTRY CO C: CAPTAIN JOHN E. BOMAR

INFANTRY CO D: CAPTAIN W. G. CRAWLEY

INFANTRY CO E: W.P. ROEBUCK

INFANTRY CO F: CAPTAIN D.C. MOORE

INFANTRY CO G: CAPTAIN J. B. HELLER

INFANTRY CO H: CAPTAIN J.M. MAFFETT

INFANTRY CO I: Captain W. P. Bishop

Battalions in this Legion 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.


 * Holcombe Legion Cavalry Battalion
 * Holcombe Legion Infantry Battalion

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 31 men on its roster for this unit. Possibly this unit did not complete its organization, and the men went to other units. 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.


 * Boozer, Henry Sheppard. Company H, Holcombe Legion Infantry Regiment, South Carolina volunteers, Confederate States of America. ([Sumter, South Carolina] : H.S. Boozer, 1997),


 * 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).


 * 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.