20th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry

United States     U.S. Military      South Carolina      South Carolina Military      South Carolina in the Civil War      20th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry

Brief History
20th Infantry Regiment was organized at Orangeburg, South Carolina, during the winter of 1861-1862. Many of the men were recuirted in Sumter, Orangeburg, and Calhoun counties. In the spring of 1864 it moved to Virginia and was assigned to General Kershaw's, Kennedy's, and Conner's Brigade. They surrendered on April 26.



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.

Original organization:


 * A Company, Sumter: Captain Stephen M. Boykin
 * B Company, Lexington: Captain Jas. M. Jones
 * C Company, Lexington: Captain G. Leaphart
 * D Company, Anderson: Captain J.A. Cowan
 * E Company, Orangeburg: Captain P.A. McMichael
 * F Company, Orangeburg: Captain R.V. Danelly
 * G Company, Newberry: Captain J.M. Kinard
 * H Company, Lexington: Captain E. Kinsler
 * I Company, Lexington: Captain W.D.M. Harkins
 * K Company, Pickens: Captain J.M. Partlow

This regiment was reorganized on 29 April 1862:


 * A Company, Anderson and Pickens: Captain Jno. M. Partlow; Captain C.H.A. Woodin; Captain Jno. Lee
 * B Company, Orangeburg: Captain P.A. McMichael
 * C Company, Lexington: Captain G. Leaphart; Captain G.T. Haltiwanger
 * D Company, Orangeburg: Captain R.V. Donnelly
 * E Company, Laurens: Captain N.A. Cowan
 * F Company, Newberry: Captain John M. Kinard; Captain William M. Kinard
 * G Company, Sumter: Captain S.M. Boykin; Captain A. Mosely; Captain A.L. Herriott
 * H Company, Orangeburg and Lexington: Captain Edward Kinsler; Captain S.M. Roof
 * I Company, Marlboro: Captain A.D. Sparks
 * I Company, Orangeburg and Lexington: Captain Elbert Gunter
 * K Company, Lexington: Captain W.D.M. Harman
 * L Company, Ripley Rangers, Marlboro: Captain A.D. Sparks; Captain C.P. Bolton
 * M Company, Emmett Guards
 * Attached: Keitt's Cavalry, Keitt's Mounted Riflemen.

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. Family History Library book 973 M2crua,, WorldCat.


 * 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).


 * 20th S C Volunteer Infantry Regiment, (accessed 7 Apr 2011). This website includes history, engagements and organization.


 * Dickert, D. Augustus. History of Kershaw's Brigade : With Complete Roll of Companies, Biographical Sketches, Incidents, Anecdotes, etc.  (Dayton, Ohio : Morningside Bookshop, 1976), 583 pages. Rosters for the 20th South Carolina Volunteer Regimental companies are found on pages 576-583. Digital copies at Google Books and Internet Archives. Book found at and Other Libraries.