7th Battalion, South Carolina Infantry (Nelson's) (Enfield Rifles)

Brief History
The 7th Infantry Battalion (also called Nelson's and Enfield Rifles) was organized in February 22, 1862,with five companies, A to E. Companies F and G were formed Mary 27, 1862, of men transferred from other companies of the battalion. Company H, which had been organized July 14, 1862 was an independent infantry company of Partisan Rangers, was assigned October 14, 1862. In March 1865 the 7th Battalion Infantry was consolidated with the South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiments, 11th, 21st, 25th, and the 27th to create Rion's Regiment. Rion's Regiment surrendered on April 26, 1865.

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

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, their nicknames and counties of origin were obtained from Batson's website and Seigler's book.


 * Company A (also known as Washington Mounted Artillery and the Lucas Guards) - many men from Kershaw District (County) Camden area, Chesterfield District (County), and Lancaster District (County)


 * Company B (also known as Lyles' Rifles) - many men from Fairfield District (County)
 * Company C (also known as the McCulloch Rifles) - many men from Richland District (County)


 * Company D (also known as Kershaw Grays or Greys) - many men from Kershaw District (County)


 * Company E - many men from Kershaw District (County), Sumter District (County), Richland District (County), Clarendon District (County), Barnwell District (County), Edgefield District (County), Fairfield District (County), Colleton District (County), Lexington District (County), Chesterfield District (County), and Orangeburg District (County).


 * Company F -(also known as the Lucas Rifles) many men from Chesterfield District (County) and Lancaster District (County) and Kershaw District (County)


 * Company G (also known as the Moffatt Rifles) - many men from Kersahw District (County), Fairfield District (County), Richland District (County), Lancaster District (County), Chesterfield District (County), and Chester District (County)


 * Company H - (also known as Brooks Infantry Partisan Rangers and the Joe Johnston Rifles) - many men from Edgefield District (County), Fairfield District (County), Chester District (County), Richland District (County), Abbeville District (County), Greenville District (County), and Newberry District (County)

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,454 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 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 Infantry Battalions - Seventh Battalion of Enfield Rifles (Nelson's or Rion's Battalion). South Carolina's Service in the War Between the States, Steve Batson’s Internet site, accessed 12/16/2010. This website also lists officers of the regiment and companies; and battles the regiment was involved in. The site gives the county of organization and nicknames listed.
 * Dickert, Augustus D. History of Kershaw's Brigade. Newberry: Elbert H Aull Company, 1899. This book as a complete roll of Companies, biographical sketches, and other information. Google Books. FS Library book 975.7 M2d 1976, and ,fiche 6082618 (7 fiche).
 * 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 8 Companies (A-H) 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.