13th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry

Brief History
The 13th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry was organized in July, 1861, at Lightwood Knot Springs, near Columbia, South Carolina. In April, 1862, it was ordered to Virginia and assigned to General Gregg's and McGowan's Brigade. It was not affected by the reorganization that took place in the spring of 1862 because the men had enlisted for the duration of the war. The 13th Regiment surrendered April 9, 1865 at Appomattox, Virginia.



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 - (also known as Martin Guards) - many men from Laurens District (County) (mostly from Hunter and Jackson Towhnships), a few men from Spartanburg District (County) and Edgefield District (County). Mustered in September 4, 1861.


 * Company B - (also known as Brockman Guards) many men from Spartanburg District (County)(Cashville area). Organized summer 1861. Mustered in September 4, 1861. Roster


 * Company C = (also known as Forest Rifles and Forest Guards) - many men from Spartanburg District (County). Mustered in September 4, 1861.


 * Company D - (also known as the Newberry Riflemen) - many men from Newberry District (County) Mustered in September 4, 1861


 * Company E - (also known the Cherokee Guards) - many men from Spartanburg District (County) Mustered in September 4, 1861


 * Company F - (also known as Pacolet Volunteers and Pacolet Guards) - many men from Spartanburg District (County) Mustered in September 4, 1861


 * Company G - (also known as Dekalb Guards) - many men from Newberry District (County). Mustered in September 4, 1861


 * Company H - (also known as the Hope Guards) - many men from Lexington District (County), a few men came from Newberry District (County), Laurens District (County) and York District (County). Mustered in 4 September 1861. Roster


 * Company I - (also known as the Iron District Volunteers) - many men from Spartanburg District (County). Mustered in September 4, 1861.


 * Company K - (also known as the Johnston Riflemen or Johnston Rifles) - many men from Lexington District (County) Mustered in September 4, 1861. Roster

Companies, their nicknames and counties of origin from Wadsworth and Seigler books and Batson's website. Rosters supplied by Eastern Digital Resources.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,986 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., 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 FamilySearch 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).


 * "13th Infantry Regiment". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/22/2010. Lists a brief regiment history, counties and company rosters for B, H, K.


 * "Thirteenth South Carolina Infantry Regiment". South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Steve Batson’s Internet site, accessed 12/27/2010. This Internet site lists officers of the regiment and companies, and battles the regiment was involved in. The site also gives the county of organization and nicknames listed.


 * 13th South Carolina Infantry Regiment Descendants Assoication. PetersburgBreakthrough.org. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010. Gives brief information about the unit, a link to descendants of soldiers from this unit and a listing (added by descendants) of the ancestor soldier. Also there are links to other information.


 * Caldwell, James F. J. The history of a brigade of South Carolinians, known first as Gregg's brigade and subsequently as McGowan's brigade. Microfiche of original published: Philadelphia : King & Baird, Printers, 1866. 247 p., Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1990. Google Books,, . The regiments which composed Gregg's Brigade of South Carolina Infantry, as it was commonly known, and which always composed McGowan's Brigade, were the following: the First South Carolina Volunteers, the Twelfth South Carolina Volunteers, the Thirteenth South Carolina Volunteers, the Fourteenth South Carolina Volunteers, and Orr's regiment of rifles, also from South Carolina.


 * 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 10 Companies (A-I, K) 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.


 * Tanner, William Rufus.  Reminiscences of the War Between the States (Cowpens, S.C. 1931), 26 pages. Available at WorldCat Libraries.


 * Wadsworth, Mike. The 13th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry C.S.A. Wilmington, North Carolina : Broadfoot Pub. Co., c2008., Worldcat.


 * Welch, Spencer Glasgow. A Confederate surgeon's letters to his wife  (Marietta, Ga., Continental Book Co., 1954), 127 pages. Digital copies at Googleand Internet Archives . Book available at WorldcatLibraries.