Artillery Battalion, Hampton Legion, South Carolina

Brief History
In April 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis wanted to raise a "legion of honor". Wade Hampton was authorized to create a legion, which would include six companies of infantry, four companies of cavalry, and a company of artillery. By May 1861, Hampton had completed the organizing of the legion and it became known as Hampton Legion, South Carolina. After the initial enlistment of one year, Hampton Legion separated into different units. The artillery units attached to other units or became independent military units.

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 Washington Artillery Volunteers, the Washington Mounted Artillery, Lee's Battery, Hampton Horse Artillery) - Charleston, Barnwell, Georgetown, Collton, Fairfield and Charleston Districts (Counties) and from Augusta, Georgia - Captain Stephen D. Lee, took command 31 August 1861; Captain James F. Hart took command on 31 October 1861.
 * Company B (also known as the German Light Artillery, German Flying Artillery, Bachman's Battery) - Charleston District (County) - Captain W.K. Bachman

Information about the companies, their nicknames and counties of origin is taken from Seigler's book and the SC Artillery website for Hampton's Legion.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 272 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).


 * Hampton Legion Artillery Battalion. South Carolina Cavalry Units in the War of the Rebellion. (accessed 11 Apr 2011).


 * 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.