8th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves (Stalling's)

United States     U.S. Military      South Carolina      South Carolina Military      South Carolina in the Civil War      8th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves (Stalling's)

Brief History
The 8th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves was organized in 1864 to "fill the need for manpower and to assist in the defense of South Carolina ." This battalion was organized with 3 companies but was officially disbanded on 1 February 1865. It 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.

Joseph H. Crute, Jr.'s book, "Units of the Confederate States Army", contains no history for this unit. Looking at the service records of the soldiers may give clues to the different regiments they may have served in.

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.

Source Material

 * "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.
 * "South Carolina 8th Infantry Battalion Reserves". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/22/2010. Lists a few battle involvements and resources.
 * "8th Infantry Regiment Reserves". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/22/2010. Lists a few resources. It also states the 'the composite roster contains 425 names.  The regiment was also referred to as Stalling's Regiment.
 * "Eighth (8th) Battalion South Carolina State Troops Senior Reserves". Bil Brasington Internet site, accessed 12/28/2010. Lists a brief history, dates, officers, counties and rosters for Companies A - B.
 * Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System from the National Parks Service. An Internet site which 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 the main source for the regiment history., 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).
 * 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. and.
 * 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 4 Companies (A-D) listed. Available at these libraries: Worldcat.