OVERVIEW OF BATTALION / REGIMENT:

On December 31, 1860, the South Carolina State Convention of the People issued a Resolution authorizing the new governor to create one or two (1-2) regiments of Regulars, each to consist of enlisted men who would serve the State for twelve (12) months. Gov. Francis W. Pickens would appoint the Company and Field Officers, and the SC Senate would confirm them. On January 28, 1861, the South Carolina General Assembly passed a Legislative Act to change the length of service to three (3) years, and the composition of the force to include one (1) Infantry Regiment, one (1) Artillery Battalion, and one (1) Squadron of Cavalry.

The 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry steadily evolved into a full regiment—the 1st SC Cavalry—from August of 1861 until June of 1862. Companies A through E enlisted between August 23rd and October 26th, and the battalion was officially organized on October 31, 1861. From the beginning, the original commander, Lt. Col. John Logan Black, accepted the challenge of turning his new battalion into a full regiment, which would also be known as Black's Regiment.

Initially, Gov. Francis W. Pickens, called up Companies A through D, which had been raised in the Summer of 1861, to serve for the duration of the war. In January of 1862, both the Edgefield Advertiser and the Charleston Mercury reported that the battalion had been authorized to grow into regimental strength. As early as late 1861, but no later than January of 1862, Company F was added to the battalion. Company G and Company H had been raised, mustered into service, and joined the battalion by late January of 1862. Company I was added circa April 16, 1862. Two (2) months later, on June 25, 1862, Company K was created with men transferring from Companies C, D, and F, along with new recruits. All ten (10) companies had enlsited "for the duration of the war," and were now known as the 1st SC Cavalry regiment. Also on June 25th, Lt. Col. John L. Black was promoted to full Colonel, Major John David Twiggs was promoted to Lt. Colonel, Capt. Moses T. Owen declined promotion to major, and Capt. William Alexander Walker (of Company D) accepted it nearly a year later, most certainly back-dated, but date not provided.

The 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry operated on John's Island and James Island, in the Charleston, SC area, and along the coast from its inception until it became the 1st SC Cavalry, a full regiment.

FIELD OFFICERS:

John Logan Black (1830-1902), born in York District but living in Fairfield District just before the war, was commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 1st SC Battalion-Cavarly on October 31, 1861; he led the battalion throughout its eight (8) month existence. He had previously been Captain of Company E in the 1st SC Regiment (Regulars). Capt. Black resigned from the 1st SC Regiment (Regulars) between August and October 31, 1861, when he was appointed Lt. Colonel of the 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry. On July 28, 1862, he was promoted to full Colonel over the new 1st SC Cavalry regiment, back-dated to June 25, 1862, and he led the regiment for the duration of the war. Col. Black was wounded from a shell fragment at the Battle of Upperville, VA on June 21, 1863, and was therefore separated from the regiment until early July of 1863. He accepted Gen. Robert E. Lee's (VA) assignment to a special command, which included Hart's Battery and some unattached cavalrymen—a small force charged on July 2nd and July 3rd with guarding the extreme right of the line at Gettysburg, PA. His small command reported to Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's (VA) Corps headquarters on July 2nd, then to Maj. Gen. John B. Hood's (TX) Division headquarters on July 3rd. Ordered to the left of the line on July 4th, he was finally able to take command of his own regiment as the retreat from Gettysburg, PA began. His right hand was badly wounded at the 2nd Battle of Brandy Station, VA on August 1, 1863; he was furloughed for sixty (60) days and was unable to use his hand for six (6) months. Col. Black commanded the "east lines" on James Island, SC while on detached service from May to December of 1864, but was then back in command of his regiment until the end of the war. Col. Black was wounded nine (9) times during the war.

John David Twiggs, MD (1823-1864), of Hamburg, SC in Edgefield District, was promoted from Captain of Company C to Major of the 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry on May 26, 1862, a month before it became a full regiment. On July 28, 1862, he was promoted to Lt. Colonel, back-dated to June 25, 1862. Lt. Col. Twiggs was temporarily disabled when his horse was struck and fell during the Skirmish at Stevensburg, VA on November 8, 1863. On September 2, 1864, he was granted a leave of absence to go home and resolve some trouble between his family and a neighbor, and on the evening of September 15th the neighbor mortally wounded him and he died within a few hours.

William Alexander Walker (1819-1882), of Chester, SC, seat of Chester District, had been Captain of Company D. He was promoted to Major on April 2, 1863, possibly back-dated to June 25, 1862, but records do not exist to prove it. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 3, 1863 by the same projectile that killed his horse. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel on November 22, 1864, back-dated to September 15, 1864, when Lt. Col. Twiggs was murdered. He was with the regiment when it was surrendered under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's (VA) Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865 at Bennett's Place, near Durham, NC.

Niles Nesbitt (1828-1897), of Spartanburg District, had been Captain of Company B since its inception, and he was promoted to Major on December 5, 1864, back-dated to September 15, 1864. It is assumed that he was with the regiment when it was surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's (VA) Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865 at Bennett's Place, near Durham, NC. Records are incomplete.

COMPANIES:

Company A—the Abbeville Troop— was composed of men from Abbeville District, and was one of the original companies of the 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry. W. James Lomax raised the company in the Summer of 1861. When it was organized on July 20, 1861, Moses Taggart Owen was elected Captain and W.J. Lomax was elected 1st Lieutenant. He was wounded on July 9, 1863 at the Battle of 1st Hagerstown (aka Williamsport), MD, and he was then hospitalized in Richmond, VA until July 22nd. He made his way home, but he died of tetanus on August 4, 1863. On that date, S. Henry Jones was appointed to succeed him. There are no further records on Capt. Jones.

Company B—the Ferguson Rangers—was composed of men from two (2) districts. Since it was also known as the Spartanburg & Laurens Rangers indicates the men came from those two (2) districts. However, the Edgefield Advertiser of March 11, 1863 reported that the men were from Laurens and Newberry Districts instead, and also known as the Enoree Rangers. The Company mustered into Confederate service while based at Lightwood Knot Springs, north of Columbia, SC, on August 25, 1861. Niles Nesbitt was elected Captain on August 22, 1861. He was promoted to Major on December 5, 1864, back-dated to September 15, 1864. 1st Lt. W.J. Leak succeeded him as Captain on that same effective date.

Company C—the Edgefield & Barnwell Rangers (aka the Edgefield Rangers)—was composed of men from those two (2) districts. The Company mustered into Confederate service on September 18, 1861 at Camp Johnson near Lightwood Knot Springs north of Columbia, SC. John David Twiggs was elected Captain on August 27, 1861. He was promoted to Major on May 26, 1862, and later promoted to Lt. Colonel. On that same date, Thomas W. Whatley succeeded him as Captain, and he commanded the company until the end of the war. Capt. Whatley was paroled on May 20, 1865 at Augusta, GA.

Company D—the Chester Troop—was composed of men from Chester District. The Company mustered into Confederate service on October 2, 1861 at Camp Johnson near Lightwood Knot Springs north of Columbia, SC. William Alexander Walker was elected Captain on that same date. He was promoted to Major on April 2, 1863, but the effective date was probably much earlier, just no records available. 1st Lt. John S. Wilson succeded him as Captain on April 2, 1863. Capt. Wilson was wounded on June 9, 1863 at the 1st Battle of Brandy Station, VA. He surrendered his company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's (VA) Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865 at Bennett's Place, near Durham, NC.

Company E—the Fort Motte Rangers—was composed of men from Orangeburg District. The Company mustered into Confederate service on October 26, 1861 at Fort Motte, SC, and James Davis Trezevant was elected Captain that same day. Without additional records, it is assumed that he served until the end of the war.

Company F—the Allen Hussars—was composed of men from Pickens District, and was named in honor of the Honorable J.D. Allen. The Company mustered into Confederate service on December 4, 1861, at Pickens Court House. Forty-year-old Elam Sharpe, was elected Captain on the same date. According to one source, the Company moved through Charleton, SC on December 26, 1861 en route to join the Battalion at Adams Run, SC. Capt. Sharpe was frequently absent because of illness, and his poor health forced his resignation on November 2, 1863. 1st Lt. Alfred T. Clayton succeeded him as Captain on that same date. Without additional records, it is assumed that he served until the end of the war.

Company G—L.J. Johnson's Cavalry—was composed of men from Abbeville District. It is assumed that the Company was organized on January 8, 1862 and that Capt. L.J. Johnson was elected Captain on that same date. Capt. Johnson was wounded on September 18, 1863 at the Battle of 1st Hagerstown, MD, and again when he was struck in the shin by a spent ball at the 2nd Battle of Brandy Station on August 1, 1863. Without additional records, it is assumed that he served until the end of the war.

Company H—Robin Jones's Cavalry—was composed of men from Rock Hill, SC in York District. According to the Yorkville Enquirer of February 13, 1862, the Company was organized the week before, on February 9, 1862, and left Rock Hill on February 12th. Capt. Robin ap Cadwallader Jones raised the Company and commanded it until he was killed on June 9, 1863 at the 1st Battle of Brandy Station, VA. One version asserted that he had captured several Union troopers, was collecting their weapons, and one of them shot him. Another version asserted that he attacked a dismounted trooper and cut off his thumb, but the wounded soldier managed to get off a fatal shot from his revolver as Capt. Jones rode past. James H. Barry succeeded him as Captain in September of 1863. He was wounded in the right foot on August 7, 1863 (incident not named) and part of his foot had to be amputated. He resigned on January 27, 1865 due to age and the fact that his three-year enlistment had expired on January 9, 1865. He then enrolled in the SC Reserves. It is not known who took over the company at that time.

Company I—the Round O Troop—was composed of men from Colleton District. The Company had previously served in the 11th SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) as the Round O Guards under Capt. Hugo Sheridan, but the men refused to enter into Confederate service in late 1861, and was disbanded. Records do not indicate when the company re-organized or if Capt. Sheridan commanded it thereafter, but the Company was added to the 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry on April 16, 1862. John R.P. Fox was elected Captain on April 3, 1862. He was wounded and captured at the 1st Battle of Brandy Station, VA on June 9, 1863. He was first a POW In Union Hospital in Alexandria, VA, then Old Capitol Prison in Washington DC, then Fort McHenry, MD, then Johnson's Island, OH, the Point Lookout, MD, paroled on May 3, 1864, and exchanged at Aiken's Landing, VA on May 8, 1864. He retired to the Invalid Corps on January 16, 1865 and was assigned to the SC Reserves on January 20, 1865. 1st Lt. Fred Horsey commanded the company until the end of the war, but was not promoted to Captain.

Company K—was composed of men from Barnwell, Chester, Edgefield, Pickens, and York Districts. Authorized by special permission from the CSA War Department, it was created with transfers from Companies C, D, and F, and unattached recruits on June 2, 1862, thus completing the 1st SC Cavalry when the Company was assigned on June 25, 1862. Capt. Angus P. Brown was elected the next day and was the only captain of Company K. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Upperville, VA on June 21, 1863 and taken prisoner. Capt. Brown was first held at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, DC, then taken to Johnson's Island, then to Baltimore, MD, then exchanged at Point Lookout, MD on March 10, 1864. He returned to command Company K soon thereafter and continued leading it until the end of the war.

BRIGADE AFFILIATIONS:

The 1st SC Battalion-Cavalry, as it evolved into the 1st SC Cavalry regiment, was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, which evolved into the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida until September of 1862. From October of 1862 until March of 1864, the 1st SC Cavalry served in Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton, III's (SC) Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, which also included the 2nd SC Cavalry, the 9th NC Regiment (1st NC Cavalry), the Jefferson Davis Legion (GA), the Cobb Legion (GA), the Phillips Legion (GA), and Hart's Battery (SC).

After Hampton was promoted to Major General then Lt. General, the commanders of his Brigade were: Brig. Gen. Matthew C. Butler (SC), Brig. Gen. William H.F. Lee (VA), and Brig. Gen. Pierce M.B. Young (GA).

In March of 1864, the 1st SC Cavalry and the 2nd SC Cavalry were sent back to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. By November 20, 1864, nine (9) companies were assigned to Brig. Gen. William B. Taliaferro's (VA) Division, while Company K was assigned to Brig. Gen. Roswell S. Ripley's (SC) Brigade. Company D was detached to support Col. George P. Harrison, Jr. (GA) at the Confederate Prison Camp at Florence, SC. By January 31, 1865, Company K was in Mercer's Brigade (?); Company E was not brigaded; and the remainder of the 1st SC Cavalry was in Brig. Gen. Stephen Elliott, Jr.'s (SC) Brigade, along with three (3) companies of the 1st SC Artillery, two (2) companies of the 2nd SC Artillery, the Battalion of State Cadets, Company D of the SC Seige Train, and some Georgia units.

By February 10, 1865, the 1st SC Cavalry was assigned to Brig. Gen. Thomas Harrison's (GA) Brigade, along with the 5th GA Regiment, the 32nd GA Regiment, and the 47th GA Regiment.

In late February or early March of 1865, the 1st SC Cavalry, the 4th SC Cavalry, the 5th SC Cavalry, the 6th SC Cavalry, and the 19th SC Battalion-Cavalry were assigned to Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Logan's (SC) Brigade, Maj. Gen. Matthew C. Butler's (SC) Division, Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton, III's (SC) Corps. The 1st SC Cavalry participated in the Carolinas Campaign.

KEY ENGAGEMENTS:

See below. Details about the movements of this regiment can be found in the book cited directly below.