5th Battalion, South Carolina Rifles

Brief History
The 5th Battalion, South Carolina Rifles was also known as Moore's Battalion of Rifles. It was also called the 1st Regiment, South Carolina Rifles under the leadership of James L. Orr. By May 1861, James L. Orr and his brother-in-law, Jehu Foster Marshall, were both trying to raise a regiments. Niether men could get enough soldiers to form a regiment so they combined their men and created the 5th Battalion, South Carolina Rifles. The battalion was mustered into State service in July 1861. In April 1862 this military unit was reorgaized into the 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Rifles (also called Moore's Rifles).

Joseph H. Crute, Jr.'s book, "Units of the Confederate States Army", contains no history for this unit.

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 - many men from Abbeville District (County), a few men from Laurens District (County) and Newberry District (County)


 * Company B - many men from Pickens District (County). Part of Pickens District became Oconee County


 * Company C - many men from Pickens District (County). Part of Pickens District became Oconee County


 * Company D - many men from Anderson District (County) and Pickens District (County)


 * Company E - many men from Pickens District (County)


 * Company F - many men from Anderson District (County) and Abbeville District (County), a few from Laurens District (County)


 * Company G

Information on companies and counties of origin is taken from Seigler's book.

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)


 * 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.