The troops in the War of 1812 were basically of two kinds - the regular army, known as regulars, and the militia. The regulars were entirely volunteers. All men belonged to the militia, but not all militias were called into service. Those who were actually enrolled were known as the detached militia; they were obtained preferably by volunteers from the total militia or by conscription if not enough volunteered. The militia in the past had been thought of as a body of men only used for home defense, but in the War of 1812 they were not only used at home but were also sent out of the state to aid at other danger points.

Colonel Nash's regiment of South Carolina volunteers suffered great hardships in the Creek War phase of the conflict. The President appointed one-sixth of his new generals from South Caolina. Major General Thomas Pinckney commanded the Sixth Military District. George Izard, of the regulars, served under Major General Wade Hampton on the Canadian front and in March, 1814, was made Brigadier General to command around Lake Champlain. Major Arthur P. Hayne fought under General Andrew Jackson. The gallant Colonel Fenwick was severely wounded at Queenstown. Lieutenant John Templar Shubrick, who later distinguished himself against Algiers, was awarded a handsome sword by the South Carolina legislature for his gallantry against the Guerriere, the Java, and the Peacock.