14th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry

Brief History
The 14th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry was organized in December 1861 and January 1862 and officially designated as the 2nd Battalion South Carolina Cavalry, but was mustered in the field as the 1st Battalion (or Squadron) South Carolina Cavalry. In May 1862 the official designation was changed to the 14th Battalion South Carolina Cavalry. On January 18, 1863 the battalion was consolidated with the 17th Battalion South Carolina Cavalry and two independent companies and formed the 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment.

Companies in this Battalion 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 the Santee Guerrilas or Rangers and Captain William Nettles's Company) - Sumter District (County), a few men from Clarendon District (County) and Williamsburg District (County)

Company B - (possibly known as the St. Mattews Troop and Captain J.C. Edwards's Company) - Orangeburg District (County), St. Matthews Parish area.

Company C - (also known as the Light Dragoons and Captain W.F. Caughman's Company) - Lexington District (County)

Company D - (also known as Captain James W. Reed's Company) - Orangeburg District (County) and Barnwell District (County), a few men from Lexington District (County) and Edgefield District (County)

Information about the Companies taken from Seigler's book.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 484 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

Other Sources

 * 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. FS Library book 973 M2crua,, WorldCat.


 * 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)


 * "South Carolina Cavalry Battalions". South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Internet site, accessed 12/22/2010. This website also lists where Cavalry units were transferred to, officers of some of the military units and companies. States that the 14th Cavalry Battalion became an element of the Fifth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment.


 * "14th Cavalry Battalion". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/22/2010. Lists some references for this unit.


 * 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment. eHistory Archive. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010. The 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment was created part from the 14th Battalion South Carolina Cavalry. This site gives some information about Company F.


 * 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 4 Companies (A-D) listed. Available at these libraries: 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.