5th Regiment, South Carolina State Troops

Brief History
In concern for further assault from the Federal troops, the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, requested that the governor supply men for 'local defense and special services'. In the summer of 1863 a call went out for enlistments which resulted in five regiments being created and they became known as the South Carolina State Troops. The initial enlistment was to be for 6 months but the men could be called upon to serve longer. Most of the men were taken from existing militia regiments.

The 5th Regiment, South Carolina State Troops was organized in July 1863 and by mid August they had twelve fully organized regiments. It was also known as the 5th Regiment, South Carolina Militia and did not go into active service until September 11, 1863. The 1st Regiment served until February 5-6, 1864.

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.


 * Company A - many men from Chester District (County)
 * Company B - many men from York District (County) - Roster
 * Company C - many men from Newberry District (County)
 * Company D - many men from Laurens District (County)
 * Company E - many men from Spartanburg District (County)
 * Company F - many men from Spartanburg District (County)


 * Company G - many men from Spartanburg District (County)
 * Company H - many men from Spartanburg District (County), and Union District (County)
 * Company I - many men from Laurens District (County)
 * Company K - many men from York District (County)
 * Company L - many men from Chester District (County)
 * Company M - many men from Union District (County)

Information about the companies and their counties of origins is taken from Seigler's and Hewett's books.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,280 men on its roster for this unit. 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.


 * 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 Reserve and Miscellaneous Units in the War of the Rebellion". Internet site, accessed 12/17/2010. Lists some of the Troop and Reserve units, a few companies, officers and some dates of service.  Counties of origin is listed at this site.


 * "34th Regiment - AKA 5th Regiment Company B - SC State Troops - York County, SC", an Internet site, accessed 12/03/2010. Gives a roster of officers and soldiers.


 * "5th State Troops, (Infantry)". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/16/2010. Gives a brief history and some references for this military unit.


 * "3rd Battalion of State Troops-Senior Reserves-Company D-York County". Internet site, accessed 12/02/2010.  It appears many men from the 3rd Battalion also served in the 5th South Carolina Infantry Regiment or State Troops.


 * 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 10 Companies (A-I, K) listed.


 * 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.