15th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry

Brief History
15th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in September, 1861, at Lightwood Knot Springs, near Columbia, South Carolina. It was also known as DeSaussare's Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. After serving on James Island, the unit moved to Virginia and was assigned to General Drayton's, Kershaw's, Kennedy's, and Conner's Brigade. About April 9, 1865, the 15th Regiment was consolidated with the 7th Regiment South Carolina Infantry and a part of Blanchard's South Carolina reserves and formed the new 7th Regiment South Carolina Infantry. The 15th Regiment ceased to exist and the new 7th Regiment surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Greensboro, North Carolina on April 26, 1865. The 7th was paroled at Greensboro on May 2-3, 1865.

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 the Columbia Rifles), many men from ( Richland District (County), Columbia area. Mustered in September 5, 1861 Lightwood Knot Springs.

Company B - (also known as the Gist Guards), many men from (Union District (County), also from Spartanburg District (County) and Laurens District (County). Mustered in September 5, 1861 Lightwood Knot Springs.  Companies A, B and D became Company B in  the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9 1865.

Company C - (also known as the Lexington Guards and Lexington Rifles), many men from Lexington District (County), Dutch Fork area. Mustered in September 10, 1861 Lightwood Knot Springs. Became Company H, in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Company D - (also known as the Kershaw Guards and Mount Tabor Company), many men from (Kershaw District (County) and  Union District (County).  Mustered in September 6, 1861. On April 9th, 1865 combined with Companies A &amp; B and became Company B in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated.

Company E - (also known as the Monticello Guards), many men from Fairfield District (County). Mustered in September 6, 1861, Lightwood Knot Springs. Combined with Companies H &amp; I and became Company E in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Company F- (also known as the Thicketty Rifles), many men from Union District (County), also from Spartanburg District (County). Mustered in September 7, 1861, Lightwood Knot Springs. Combined with G and became Company I, in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Company G - (also known as the Williamsburg Riflemen), many men from Williamsburg District (County) and a few from Georgetown District (County). Mustered in September 16, 1861 Lightwood Knot Springs. Combined with Company F and became Company I in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Company H - (also known as the Mount Tabor Company and the Pinckney Guards), many men from Union District (County). Mustered in September 16, 1861. Combined with Company E &amp; I to form Company E in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated,  April 9, 1865.

Company I - (also known as the Dutch Fork Guards), many men from Lexington District (County). A few men from Fairfield District (County) and Newberry district (County). Mustered in October 1861, Lightwood Knot Springs. Combined with Companies E &amp; H to become Company E in the 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Company K - (also known as Dorn's Invincibles or Volunteers and possibly the Independent Guards), many men From Edgefield District (County) and Abbeville District (County). Mustered in October 2, 1861, Lightwood Knot Springs. Became Company A in 7th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Consolidated, April 9, 1865.

Black men who received pensions for service.

Company names and county of origin taken from the books by Clary and Seigler.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,910 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. FS Library book 973 M2crua,, 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)


 * The 15th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment, (accessed 7 Apr 2011). This regiment was a part of Kershaw's Brigade - This website includes historical sketches, Field and Staff, and a bibliography.


 * 15th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. Wikipedia article. Internet site, accessed 12/30/2010. Gives a brief history of the regiment.


 * Clary, James B. A history of the 15th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment : 1861-1895. Wilmington, North Carolina : Broadfoot Pub. Co., c2007. This book gives Company names, nicknames and county of origin.


 * Dickert, D. Augustus. History of Kershaw's Brigade : With Complete Roll of Companies, Biographical Sketches, Incidents, Anecdotes, etc.  (Dayton, Ohio : Morningside Bookshop, 1976), 583 pages. Rosters for the 15th South Carolina Volunteer Regimental companies are found on pages 568-573. Digital copies at Google Books and Internet Archives. Book found at and Other Libraries.


 * Nichols, Wesley. Autobiography and Civil War recollections of Wesley Nichols, Leesville, S.C. (Leesville, S.C. : Twin-County News Print, 1915), 27 pages. Includes a description of activities of the 15th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. Microfiche copy at and Other Libraries.