1st Regiment, South Carolina Rifles (Militia) (Branch's)

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Brief History


Joseph H. Crute, Jr.'s book, "Units of the Confederate States Army", contains no history for this unit. Footnote.com lists this regiment being in service with the added units names of Branch's Rifles Regiment, Second Infantry (Second Palmetto Regiment), Companies A-B. Another regiment name listed is Charleston Volunteers.

This regiment most likely transferred into another regiment or was combined with another regiment to create a new regiment, or is another name for an existing regiment. 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.


 * Charles H. Simonton's Company (also known as Washington Light Infantry)
 * Charles E. Chichester's Company (also known as Chicheseter's Zouaves)
 * A. Melcher's Company
 * Palmer's Company (also known as Moultrie Guards)
 * Charleston Zouave Cadets - Charleston County - Roster

Source Material

 * 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).
 * "1st Regiment Rifles, Militia (Branch's Rifle Regiment (Infantry)". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources, Internet site, accessed 11/22/2010.
 * "The Carolina Legion", Internet site accessed 11/22/2010.
 * "Record of "The Charleston Zouave Cadets". 1st Regitment Rifle. Internet site, accessed 12/07/2010. Contains a history of this unit, a list of the officers and soldiers. To learn more about the Zouave read the article from Wikipedia.
 * "Charleston Zouave Cadets- 1st Regitment Rifles". Internet site, accessed 12/07/2010. Contains a history of this company.
 * 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 listed.