7th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry

Brief History
The 7th Regiment South Carolina Cavalry was organized during the period of March 18, 1864 through May 1864 by consolidating five independent cavalry companies: two companies of Tucker's Squadron, one company of Boykin's Squadron of Mounted Riflemen, and the 2nd Company of Trenholm's Squadron (two companies). Also involved in the organization was the cavalry battalion of the Holcombe Legion which contained 5 companies (another source says that two companies of Rutledge's Squadron of Mounted Rifles was also involved). Within the next few months there was some disorganization going on with some of the companies leaving and then returning to this regiment. The regiment surrendered on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House with 22 officers and 398 enlisted men.

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.

Information about the companies, their nicknames and counties of origin is taken from Seigler's book and Batson's website. Most roster (which are only partial rosters) are taken from Eastern Digital Resources.


 * Company A - (also known as Marion's Men of Winyah, Tucker's Cavalry, Captain John H. Tucker's Squadron) - many men from Georgetown District (County), Williamsburg District (County), and Darlington District (County) a few men from Charleston District (County) and Horry District (County) - Roster


 * Company - B (also known as Trenholm's Squadron and Rutledge Mounted Riflemen (Company A), and Captain William L. Trenholm's Squadron) - Southern Coast area, many men from Colleton,District (County) and Beaufort District (County) - Roster


 * Company - C (also known as Holcombe Legion Mounted- Company D, the McKissick Rangers) - many men from Union District (County), York District (County), Newberry District (County) and Chester Districts (County); a few men from Spartanburg District (County) and Greenville District (County) - Roster


 * Company - D (also known as Holcombe Legion Mounted- Company B, the Congaree Mounted Guards or Riflemen or Cavaliers) - many men from Richland District (County), Fairfield District (County), Sumter District (County) and Lexington District (County); a few men from Union District (County), York District (County), Chester District (County) and Newberry District (County) - Roster


 * Company - E (also known as Holcombe Legion Mounted- Company C and the Newberry Rangers) - many men from Edgefield District (County), Newberry District (County) and Laurens District (County); a few men from Union District (County)- Roster


 * Company - F (also known as Marion's Men of Winyah- Company B, Captain John H. Tucker's Squaron) - many men from Georgetown District (County), Williamsburg District (County) and Horry District (County), Sumter District (County), Marion District (County), Spartanburg District (County) and Marlboro District (County) - Roster


 * Company - G (also known as Trenholm's Squadron and Rutledge Mounted Riflemen- Company B) - many men from Anderson District (County), Greenville District (County), Pickens District (County); a few men from Fairfield District (County), Clarendon District (County), Colleton District (County), Charleston District (County) and Abbeville District (County). Another source says from the Southern Coast area, Colleton, District (County), Beaufort District (County) - Roster


 * Company - H (also known as Kirkwood's Rangers or Cavalry and Holcombe Legion Mounted- Company E, Camden Rangers,) - many men from Kershaw District (County), Camden area and Chesterfield District (County); a few men from Darlington District (County), Charleston District (County), Fairfield District (County), Sumter District (County) and Richland District (County) - Roster


 * Company- I (also known as Holcombe Legion Mounted- Company A and Claremont Cavalry or Troop) - many men from Sumter District (County) and Clarendon District (County); a few men from Chesterfield District (County) - Roster, Roster


 * Company - K (also known as the Wateree Mounted Rifles, Boykin's Mounted Squadron of Rifles, Boykin's Rangers) - many men from Kershaw District (County); Camden area; a few men from Richland District (County), Greenville, District (County), Marion District ( County), Clarendon District (County), Sumter District (County) and Horry District (County) - Roster


 * Field and Staff

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,503 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

Other 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., 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)


 * "7th Cavalry Regiment". The War for Southern Independence in South Carolina. Eastern Digital Resources an Internet site, accessed 12/14/2010. Lists a Regiment History and gives the Company Rosters.


 * "South Carolina Cavalry - Seventh South Carolina Cavalry Regiment". 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.


 * "The Claremont Cavalry". Old Sumter District, SCGenWeb and Palmetto State Roots Websites, accessed 12/16/2010. Gives a history of Company I's involvement with the Civil War and a roster.


 * Boykin, Edward M. The Falling Flag : Evacuation of Richmond, Retreat and Surrender at Appomattox (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1990), 67 pages. Includes a description of activities of the 7th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment. Digital copies at Google and Internet Archives. Book at WorldCat.


 * Daly, Louise Porter Haskell. Alexander Cheves Haskell; the portrait of a man ( Norwood, Mass., Priv. Print. at the Plimpton Press, 1934), 224 pages. Book at and Other Libraries.


 * 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.


 * Ramsey, Marc. 7th South Carolina Cavalry : to the defense of Richmond. (Wilmington, North Carolina : Broadfoot Pub. Co., c2011),


 * 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.