7th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves (Ward's)

Brief History
In February 1864 a new law passed that stated all males between ages 17-50 were liable to serve within their state. Those that were 18-45 years old and already serving were to stay in their current military unit. Those men not serving, or under 18 and over 45, were required to either join an existing local defense unit or to form a new unit. Eight battalions were created and designated as the 1st- 8th Battalions, South Carolina Reserves. Later these units were referred to as the Battalions of Senior Reserves in order to separate them from the Regiments of Junior Reserves. By the summer of 1864, these units were organized and many of them serving in different areas. They were mustered into Confederate service on October 31, 1864. Some of the units disbanded before the end of the war and others were combined with other military units on April 9, 1865.

The 7th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves was organized in the summer of 1864. It was allso called Ward's Battalion and mustered into Confederate service on October 31, 1864. On April 9, 1865 the 7th Battalion was consolidated with th3 2nd and 20th Infantry Regiments to form the new 2nd Regiment.

According to "South Carolina Reserve and Miscellaneous Units" internet site, it states: The 7th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves was involved with the following units: The 1st Battalion South Carolina Reserves was "organized in mid-1864 with seven companies and served as prison guards in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. The unit was moved to North Carolina where it was given leave and then joined active service as cavalry, serving as a detachment in Ferguson's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry. The battalion was consolidated with members of the 2nd, 6th, and 7th South Carolina Reserve Infantry Battalions, the 3rd South Carolina Infantry Battalion, plus the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 20th South Carolina Volunteers to form the following new units at Smithfield, North Carolina on 9 April 1865 – the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th South Carolina Volunteers Consolidated.

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.

Information about the companies and their counties of origin is taken from Seigler's book and Brasington's website. Some rosters list only a few names.


 * Company A - many men from Darlington District (County) and Williamsburg District (County) - Roster
 * Company B - many men from Horry District (County) - Roster
 * Company C - many men from Marlboro District (County) - Roster
 * Company D - many men from Marion District (County) - Roster
 * Company E - many men from Williamsburg District (County), Marion District (County), Darlington District (County), and Clarendon Districts (County) now in Florence County. - Roster
 * Company F - many men from Georgetown District (County) - Roster
 * Company G - Roster
 * Captain P.A. Brunson - Florence County area

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 63 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

Other Sources

 * "South Carolina Reserve and Miscellaneous Units in the War of the Rebellion". Internet site, accessed 12/06/2010. Lists some of the Troop and Reserve units, a few companies, officers and some dates of service.


 * Seventh (7th) Batttalion South Carolina State Troops Senior Reserves. Bil Brasington Internet site, accessed 12/17/2010. Lists Companies, counties, rosters and dates.


 * SC 7th (Ward's) Infantry Battalion Reserves. The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/15/2010. Gives some references for this military unit.


 * "7th South Carolina Reserve Battalion". South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Steve Batson’s Internet site, accessed 12/16/2010. This website lists officers of the regiment and battles the regiment was involved in and dates of organization.


 * 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., WorldCat. Crute's book does not contain a history for this unit.


 * 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)


 * 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 no Companies 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.