This regiment was authorized under the South Carolina Legislative Act of December 17, 1860 to Provide an Armed Military Force.

According to the Charleston Mercury of March 12, 1861, the organization of this regiment was complete on that date, even though the Field Officers had been elected on February 2nd. It was received into State service on April 9, 1861. Soon after the Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861), Gov. Francis W. Pickens asked the men of the first ten (10) South Carolina Regiments, along with the 1st SC Volunteers (Gregg's), a six-month regiment, to volunteer for Confederate service in Virginia. Four (4) companies of this regiment (A, C, D, and E) agreed to go and mustered into Confederate service in Virginia on May 22nd and May 23rd. The six (6) remaining companies, including about 540 men, chose to remain in South Carolina under the command of Lt. Col. James D. Blanding. Three of the six (3/6) became the nucleus of Blanding's Regiment, which became the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) in July and August of 1861. The men of the last three (3) companies were re-assigned to other various regiments.

Col. Joseph B. Kershaw then led his four (4) companies to Virginia, and he added six (6) new companies to fill his regiment. Around May 14, 1862, the original term of service expired and the men of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) re-enlisted for two (2) more years, and the regiment was re-organized. In March of 1864, they re-enlisted again, this time "for the war."

While serving under Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee (GA), Maj. Gen. LaFayette McLaws (SC), and Brig. Gen. John D. Kennedy (SC) during the Carolinas Campaign and after the Battle of Bentonville, NC, on April 9, 1865, this regiment was consolidated with the 20th SC Regiment (SCV) and parts of Brig. Gen. Albert G. Blanchard's (LA) 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th SC Reserve Battalions, and this new unit was designated as the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated. It was also commonly referred to as the New 2nd SC Regiment. After surrendering with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett Place, NC on April 26, 1865, the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated was paroled and discharged near Greensborough, NC on May 2, 1865.

FIELD OFFICERS:

Joseph Brevard Kershaw (1822-1894), a native of Camden, SC in Kershaw District, earlier served as an officer in the Mexican War; he was also a member of the "Convention of the People" that voted for South Carolina to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860. He was elected Colonel of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) on February 2, 1861, apparently with no opposition. On February 1, 1862, he was nominated Brigadier General to replace Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham (SC), who had resigned on January 27, 1862 to take his seat in the First Confederate Congress. At the re-organization of the regiment on May 14, 1862, his name was dropped from the rolls, and Lt. Col. Ervin P. Jones became the new commandant of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV). Brig. Gen. Kershaw was later promoted to Major General on May 18, 1864, and he was captured at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, VA on April 6, 1865. He was taken to Fort Warren in Boston, MA, then released on July 24, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

James Douglass Blanding (1821-1896), of Sumter, SC, raised Company D—the Sumter Volunteers—and was elected Lt. Colonel on February 2, 1861. His commission was dated April 8, 1861, the day before the regiment was accepted into State service. Lt. Col. Blanding commanded the six (6) companies (B, F, G, H, I, and K) of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) that chose not to march northward with Col. Kershaw to Virginia. When three of the six (3/6) joined other units that Summer, seven (7) new companies were recruited to join the remaining three (3) companies, and they now made up the new 9th SC Regiment (SCV), effective July 12, 1861. Lt. Col. Blanding was elected its Colonel when the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) was accepted into State service.

Dixon Barnes (1816-1862), of Lancaster District, was elected Major on February 2, 1861. He was the original Captain of the Lancaster Grays. Maj. Barnes remained in South Carolina when the six (6) companies (B, F, G, H, I, and K) of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) chose not to march northward with Col. Kershaw to Virginia. When these companies plus replacement companies elected James D. Blanding as Colonel and the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) was established, Maj. Barnes left that summer to raise Company I of the 12th SC Regiment (SCV) and was elected its Captain on August 28, 1861.

Ervin P. Jones, an attorney from Greenville, was elected circa May 15, 1861, as Lt. Colonel to replace James D. Blanding, who remained in South Carolina when Col. Kershaw marched northward to Virginia. Some sources assert his given name was Erwin or Ervine. Lt. Col. Jones was promoted to full Colonel circa February 1, 1862, when Col. Joseph B. Kershaw was promoted to Brigadier General. However, he was not re-elected as Colonel when the regiment re-organized in May of 1862, and he resigned on May 13th. He was offered the position of Lt. Colonel in the 3rd SC Reserves, but he refused it.

Artemas Darby Goodwyn (1828-1898), of Gadsden, SC in Richland District, was earlier Colonel of a Volunteer Battalion in November of 1860, which was composed of five (5) Columbia companies: the Richland Rifle Company, the Cedar Creek Riflemen, the Governor's Guards, the Emmett Guards, and the Columbia Artillery. Goodwyn served as Adjutant of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) from February 2, 1861 until he was elected Major to replace Dixon Barnes, circa May 15, 1861. At the re-organization of the regiment on May 14, 1862, Goodwyn was elected Lt. Colonel. Historian A.S. Salley wrote that he was promoted to Lt. Colonel on February 15, 1862. He received a disabling wound at the Battle of Savage's Station, VA on June 29, 1862. Lt. Col. Goodwyn submitted his resignation on June 3, 1863; it was accepted on July 15, 1863. In the Fall of 1864, he was elected Colonel of the 3rd SC Regiment-Junior Reserves, then commanded the brigade to which it was assigned until the end of the war. One source spells his given name as Artemus.

William H. Casson (1816-1899), of Richland District, the first Captain of Company A—the Governor's Guards—was promoted to Major circa March 15, 1862. Not very popular with his men, he was not re-elected when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862. He later served in the 8th SC Regiment (SCV) and with the railroad service.

John Doby Kennedy (1840-1896), of Camden, SC in Kershaw District, was Captain of Company E—the Camden Volunteers— until when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862, when he was elected Colonel to lead the regiment. Col. Kennedy was wounded six (6) times—1st Manassas, 1st Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Knoxville, and the Wilderness. He was promoted to Brigadier General on December 22, 1864 and took over Kershaw's Brigade when it was sent south to assist Gen. Joseph E. Johnston facing Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman in the Carolinas Campaign. Gen. Johnston surrendered Kennedy's Brigade, and this regiment, at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865, and the men were paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Franklin Gaillard (1829-1864), originally from Pineville in what is now Berkeley County, but was residing in Columbia, Richland District, and editing the Carolinian when South Carolina seceded from the Union. He was 2nd Lieutenant then 1st Lieutenant of Company A—the Governor's Guards—and elected both Captain and Major when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862; he chose be the next Major. Maj. Gaillard was promoted to Lt. Colonel on June 3, 1863, upon the resignation of Lt. Col. Artemas D. Goodwyn. He often led the regiment when Col. John D. Kennedy was on furlough recuperating from his many wounds. When Col. Kennedy was wounded at the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864), Lt. Col. Gaillard briefly led the regiment during that battle and was shot in the forehead; he lingered for a while before he died.

William W. Wallace (1824-???), an attorney and planter in Columbia (Richland District), was promoted from Captain of Company C—the Columbia Grays—to Major on June 3, 1863, when Lt. Col. Artemas D. Goodwyn resigned and Maj. Franklin Gaillard took his place. Maj. Wallace was severely wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel on June 28, 1864, back-dated to May 6, 1864, the date of the death of Lt. Col. Gaillard. He was wounded on September 13, 1864 at Charlestown, VA. When the regiment was consolidated with the 20th SC Regiment (SCV) and parts of the SC Reserves on April 9, 1865, William W. Wallace was appointed full Colonel. He surrendered that consolidated regiment with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865, and was paroled near Greensborough, NC on May 2, 1865.

Benjamin R. Clyburn (1840-1877), of Lancaster District, was Captain of Company H—the Lancaster Invincibles—and promoted to Major on August 10, 1864, back-dated to May 6, 1865, the date of the death of Lt. Col. Gaillard. He was wounded in the left leg at the Battle of Belle Grove, VA on October 19, 1864; he was captured and his leg had to be amputated. He was first held at the Union field hospital at Winchester, VA, moved to the Union general hospital in Baltimore, MD, then imprisoned at Fort Delaware, DE. He was paroled and exchanged at City Point, VA on February 27, 1865. He did not return to active duty before the war ended.

COMPANIES:

The letter designations of only the four (4) companies that marched to Virginia with Col. Joseph B. Kershaw have been recorded for posterity (A, C, D, and E); the six (6) companies that did not march to Virginia are only known by their "company nicknames," as described below. When Col. Kershaw reached Virginia, six (6) new companies were accepted into the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) and these were designated Companies B, F, G, H, I, and K.

Companies that did not march to Virginia:

Dekalb Rifle Guards (aka DeKalb Rifles, aka DeKalb Guards)—from Camden in Kershaw District— was led by Capt. Thomas Lang Boykin, and joined the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) in January of 1861. After refusing to march to Virginia, the men mustered into the 1st SC Volunteers (Gregg's) as Company N, and then marched with Col. Maxcy Gregg to Virginia, confounding all historians as to why they did not go with Col. Kershaw but did go with Col. Gregg. Col. Gregg's regiment disbanded on July 9, 1861, and many men of the DeKalb Rifle Guards mustered into Company D of ther 15th SC Regiment (SCV).

The Lancaster Grays—of Lancaster District—organized from the Upper Battalion of the 21st SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) on November 11, 1860, and was originally led by Capt. Dixon Barnes, who was elected the first Major of the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) on February 2, 1861. John D. Wylie was then elected Captain. This company refused to march to Virginia and over the summer was mustered into the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) as Company A.

The Richland Guards—of Richland District—was raised long before South Carolina seceded from the Union by the father of Capt. Edwin F. Bookter, who led the company in early 1861. After refusing to march to Virginia the company re-organized and mustered into the 12th SC Regiment (SCV) as Company D.

The Salem Company (aka Chicora Guards) was made up from men from Sumter, Clarendon, and Williamsburg Districts, and led by Capt. S.D.M. LaCoste. After refusing to march to Virginia the company re-organized and mustered into the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) as Company D.

The States Rights Guards (aka Fork Troop)—of Richland District—was led by Capt. Duncan William Ray. After refusing to march to Virginia the company re-organized and mustered into the 9th SC Regiment (SCV) as Company B.

The Claremont Rifles—from Darlington and Sumter Districts—was led by Capt. James G. Spann. Around July 29, 1861, this unit mustered into the Hampton Legion as Company G.

Companies that did march to Virginia:

Company A—the Governor's Guards— was one of the original four (4) companies in the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV). The company was organized via a SC General Assembly Legislative Act, dated December 19, 1843, "An Act to Authorize the Formation of a New Volunteer Company Within the Limits of the 23rd Regiment of Infantry." In November of 1860, it was part of Artemas D. Goodwyn's Volunteer Battalion, and was accepted into State service on January 5, 1861. Capt. William H. Casson led the company and was re-elected on April 8th, when the regiment was mustered into State service. About 32 men refused to march to Virginia with Col. Joseph B. Kershaw and remained with Lt. Col. James D. Blanding's detachment on Morris Island. The remainder mustered into Confederate service for 12 months at Richmond, VA on May 22, 1861. When Casson was promoted to Major on March 15, 1862, 1st Lt. Malcolm A Shelton was promoted to Captain; he was not re-elected when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862. 1st Lt. Sherod Luther Leaphart was elected Captain when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862. He was wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg, MD, and he was wounded and captured at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 2, 1863; his right arm was amputated due to the Gettysburg wound. Capt. Leaphart was a POW at Fort McHenry, MD, then Johnson's Island, OH, then Point Lookout, MD, where he was exchanged. He was later paroled on May 25, 1865 at Augusta, GA. Moses M. Maddrey was the last Captain of Company A. He was elected Captain much later, on March 7, 1864, but his commission was probably delayed until Capt. Leaphart was exchanged in March of 1865. Capt. Maddrey was with the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated when it was surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865. The company was paroled with the regiment on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company B—the Butler Guards—was from Greenville District, and named for Col. Pierce M. Butler, a Mexican War hero. This Volunteer Company was organized via an SC General Assembly Legislative Act, dated December 19, 1855, "An Act to Incorporate Certain Societies, Associations and Companies, and to Renew and Amend the Charter of Others," and tendered it services to the State on December 4, 1860. It was first called into State service on April 15, 1861 as Company A of the 4th SC Regiment (SCV). Though the men wanted to serve in Virginia, the 4th SC Regiment (SCV) was in camp in Columbia at the time. The Butler Guards requested and received a transfer to the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), departed camp on May 6, 1861, and marched for Virginia to join Col. Joseph B. Kershaw. Sometime between May 16th and June 24th, the company was officially transferred out of the 4th SC Regiment (SCV); it mustered into Confederate service at Richmond, VA for 12 months on May 22, 1861. Augustus Dewitt Hoke, a Greenville physician who had attended The Citadel, raised the company and served as its first Captain. He was severely wounded at the Battle of 1st Manassas, VA on July 21, 1861; he was also briefly captured but escaped while still on the battlefield. Capt. Hoke resigned the day before the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862 and returned to his medical practice at Greenville, SC. Lt. Robert C. Pulliam was elected Captain on May 14, 1862. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 2, 1863 and died the next day. 1st Lt. William Robert Powell, also from The Citadel, was promoted to Captain on July 4, 1863. Capt. Powell was wounded at Hanover Junction on May 23, 1864. He led the company when it was surrendered on April 26, 1865 in the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated at Bennett's Place, NC under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. The men were paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company C—the Columbia Grays (aka Richland Grays)—was from Richland District, organized on January 5, 1861, and accepted for State service on January 7, 1861. It was one of the original four (4) companies in the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV). Company C mustered into State service on April 8, 1861 and into Confederate service for 12 months on May 23, 1861 near Richmond, VA. Most of the men were from Richland District and had been part of the Upper Battalion of the 23rd SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry); a few men came from nine (9) other districts. William W. Wallace, a general in the SC Militia, raised the company and was elected Captain on January 8, 1861. He was slightly wounded at the Battle of 1st Manassas, VA. Capt. Wallace was promoted to Major on June 3, 1863, and 1st Lt. Solomon Lorick was promoted to Captain in his place. As a 1st Lieutenant, he had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg, MD on September 17, 1862, but he returned and fought at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA (April 30-May 6, 1863). Afterwards, a medical board of examiners asserted he should be placed on light duty, and only four (4) days after being promoted to Captain he was sent from a Richmond hospital to Columbia, SC. Capt. Lorick was then assigned to enrolling duty on September 24, 1863. After a month he accepted the rank of Lieutenant and the assignment of drilling new recruits at a "camp of instruction." He did not return to Company C after the summer of 1863 and he retired to the Invalid Corps on February 2, 1865. 1st Lt. Anderson Patterson Vinson became the last Captain of Company C, and he surrendered the company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865; he was paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company D—the Sumter Volunteers—was organized on January 7, 1861 in Sumter District and mustered into State service on April 8, 1861. Capt. James D. Blanding raised the company, but he was elected Lt. Colonel and was left behind to lead the six (6) companies that refused to march northward to Virginia with Col. Joseph B. Kershaw. Upon Blanding's election as Lt. Colonel on February 2, 1861, John Smythe Richardson, Jr. took over Company D as Captain; he also continued to serve as Major in the 20th SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry), an office that did not conflict with his Captaincy in Company D. Capt. Richardson was wounded and captured at the Battle of 1st Manassas, VA, but he soon escaped. He resigned the day before the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1864. He later served as Adjutant and Assistant Quartermaster in the 23rd SC Regiment (SCV). Private Leonard White Bartlett was elected Captain on May 13, 1862. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Savage's Station, VA on June 29, 1862 and died on July 1st. 1st Lt. James Dupre Graham was promoted to Captain upon the death of Capt. Bartlett. Capt. Graham was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA, at the Battle of Chickamauga, GA, and at the Battle of the Wilderness, VA. On May 9, 1864, he was admitted to the Officers' Hospital in Richmond, VA, and he recovered. On April 9, 1865, he was promoted to Lt. Colonel of the new 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated, and he surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865; he was paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company E—the Camden Volunteers (aka Camden Light Infantry, aka Kershaw Guards)— was established in Kershaw District, but a few men came from Anderson, Charleston, Newberry, and Sumter Districts. The company elected Capt. John Doby Kennedy as early as February of 1860 (per the Charleston Mercury on March 1, 1860), it was accepted by Gov. Francis W. Pickens on January 8, 1861, and called into State service on April 9, 1861. It was one of the original four (4) companies in the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), and mustered into Confederate service for 12 months on May 23, 1861 near Richmond, VA. Capt. Kennedy was wounded at the Battle of 1st Manassas, VA and incapacitated by fever after the Battle of Savage's Station, VA. When the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862, he was elected full Colonel. 1st Lt. William Zachariah Leitner was elected Captain the same date. Capt. Leitner was wounded by canister shot at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 2, 1863, and his right leg was amputated below the knee the next day. On October 31, 1863 he was appointed Enrolling Officer for Kershaw District. He resigned effective August 13, 1864 due to his injury. Joseph J. Drakeford was appointed Captain in his place, and he surrendered the company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865; he was paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, SCV.

Company F—the Secession Guards (aka Perryman's Company, aka the Abbeville Volunteers, aka Abbeville Guards)—was organized on January 10, 1861 with men from the towns of Greenwood, Ninety-Six, and New Market in the eastern part of Abbeville District, which is now part of Greenwood County. This company was originally Company A of the 7th SC Regiment (SCV) from January to April 28, 1861; it joined the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) on April 30th because the men wanted to serve in Virginia. Capt. William Watson Perryman was elected on January 10 and mustered into State service on April 17th. Company F mustered into Confederat service for 12 months on May 23, 1861 in Richmond, VA. After being re-elected when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862, he refused because he believed that allowing men to elect officers was subversive to good discipline. However, he remained on all company muster rolls through July of 1863; and by November of 1862 he was Enrolling Officer for the SC 2nd Congressional District. Incapacitated for further field duty due to Typhoid Fever on May 4, 1863, somehow he was commissioned Major in the CSA Provisional Army on June 5, 1863, and promoted to full Colonel on September 10, 1864. 1st Lt. George Marshall McDowell was promoted to Captain on June 5, 1863, but he was soon mortally wounded on July 2, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA and died the next day. 2nd Lt. William Calvin Vance succeeded him as Captain. He had earlier been wounded in the Seven Days' Battles, VA as a Lieutenant, then wounded at the Skirmish at Bean's Station, TN and at the Battle of the Wilderness, VA as a Captain. He surrendered the company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865, and was paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company G—the Flat Rock Guards—was organized on January 16, 1861 in Camden, SC (Kershaw District) with men mostly from the 22nd SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) and a few men from Lancaster District. Company G mustered into State service on April 28, 1861 and arrived in Richmond, VA two days later; it mustered into Confederate service for 12 months on May 22, 1861 near Richmond, VA. Capt. Columbus Cureton Haile was commissioned into State service on April 24, 1861. Capt. Haile was injured in a train accident, was issued a 21-day furlough on December 19, 1861, and subsequently resigned when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862. He later served as Captain in the 8th SC Regiment-Reserves, then from July of 1863 to to February of 1864 he served as Captain of Company C in the 4th SC Regiment (SCV). On February 1, 1864, he enlisted as a Private in the 23rd SC Regiment (SCV) and was elected Lieutenant on March 7, 1864. Lt. Haile was captured at the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, VA on April 1, 1865, sent to Johnson's Island, OH, then released on June 18, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. 2nd Lt. Joseph P. Cunningham was elected Captain when the regiment re-organized on May 14, 1862. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA and died on July 2, 1863. 1st Lt. Jesse Erasmus Truesdel, also badly wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA, was promoted to Captain on July 4, 1863. When the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) and the 20th SC Regiment (SCV) were consolidated on April 9, 1865, he was not selected to command a company and dropped from the rolls on April 21, 1865.

Company H—the Lancaster Invincibles (aka Lancaster Volunteers, aka Lancaster Guards)— was organized on January 8, 1861 with men from the 21st SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) in the Lower Battalion of Lancaster District. The company was mustered into State service on April 28, 1861 then traveled by rail to Richmond, VA; it mustered into Confederate service for 12 months near Richmond on May 22, 1861. Capt. Amos W. McManus, a veteran of the Mexican War, was elected on January 8, 1861, and mustered into State service on April 28, 1861. He was slightly wounded at the Battle of 1st Manassas, VA. Capt. McManus resigned on May 13, 1862 as the regiment was re-organizing to return home to serve as Sheriff of Lancaster District. Lieutenant Benjamin R. Clyburn took over on May 14, 1862; he was wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg, MD and seriously wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA. He was promoted to Major on August 1, 1864, back-dated to May 6, 1864. Recently promoted 1st Lt. James B. Horton, who had also been wounded at Sharpsburg, MD and Gettysburg, PA, was promoted to Captain, back-dated to May 6, 1864. He surrendered the company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865; paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company I—the Palmetto Guard Volunteers—began as the Palmetto Guards, which was a large pre-war company in Charleston District's 17th SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) that had been organized (not via the SC General Assembly) on June 28, 1851. It was ordered into State service on December 27, 1860 and served in the city of Charleston, SC until January 9, 1861, when they were sent to nearby Morris Island. The Company was relieved on February 12, 1861, but was sent back on March 11th to the Cummings Point Batteries under command of Lt. Col. W.G. DeSaussure of the 1st SC Battalion-Artillery (Militia). The Palmetto Guards participated in the bombardment of Fort Sumter, then served on Morris Island and as garrison troops at Fort Sumter until May 1st, when the company was divided into two (2) groups. About half of the men remained in Charleston under the command of Ensign George Lamb Buist to become the Palmetto Guard Artillery (aka Buist Light Artillery), attached to the 18th SC Battalion-Artillery. The other half became known as the Palmetto Guard Volunteers and left Charleston for Richmond, VA on May 9th, where it arrived on May 11th and was attached to the 2nd SC Regiment (SCV). Company I mustered into Confederate service for 12 months on May 22nd, near Richmond. The men were mostly from Charleston and Beaufort Districts, with a few from Colleton, Fairfield, Greenville, Orangeburg, and Richland Districts. George Barnwell Cuthbert was appointed Captain on March 12, 1861. Capt. Cuthbert was re-elected when the regiment re-organized "for the war" on May 14, 1862. He was wounded at the Skirmish on Nine-Mile Road near Richmond, VA, then badly wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA on May 3, 1863, and he died a week later on May 10th. 1st Lt. Ralph Emmes Elliott, a physician from Pocotaligo and brother of Brig. Gen. Stephen Elliott, Jr. (SC), was promoted to take his place. He was slightly wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA. Capt. Elliott was accidentally shot by friendly fire at the Battle of Cold Harbor, VA on June 1, 1864; he died in the Richmond Hospital on June 5, 1864. 1st Lt. Robert Fishburne, Jr. was appointed Captain to replace Elliott on July 18, 1864, back-dated to June 1, 1864. He surrendered the company with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865 and was paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

Company K—the Brooks Guard Volunteers—was from Charleston District and originated as the Brooks Guards or Brooks Home Guards on January 9, 1861, with John E. Carew as Captain. The Brooks Home Guard was attached to the 17th SC Regiment of Militia (Infantry) and stationed on Morris Island until after the Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861). It never again saw active duty as a company; most of its men were employed on the railroads during the war. A volunteer detachment elected Capt. Andrew Burnet Rhett on May 12, 1861 and called for additional volunteers to serve in Virginia. This volunteer detachment, with more recruits from Pickens District added, became known as the Brooks Guard Volunteers. Company K mustered into Confederate service for 12 months on May 22, 1861 near Richmond, VA. After serving eight (8) months, Capt. Rhett and 61 men asked for and received special permission from Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin to be furloughed and allowed to re-organize as an artillery unit. On January 28, 1862, they re-enlisted for two (2) years and three (3) months and formed Brooks Light Artillery (aka Rhett's Battery), and it was sent back to Charleston, SC—Capt. Rhett retained command until around June 29, 1863. Brevet 2nd Lt. Jacob F. Moorer was elected Captain of the newly recruited Company K on May 14, 1862, when the regiment re-organized. He was wounded at Sharpsburg, MD, then mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 2, 1863. There is much confusion as to his demise—one source asserts he died three days later on July 5th; another source asserts he was a POW and died in captivity in November of 1863. His replacement, 1st Lt. Jonathan Webb, Jr. was promoted to Captain on April 30, 1864, and he was soon thereafter killed in action at the Battle of Spotsylvania, VA on May 12th. 1st Lt. James Elias Dutart was promoted to Captain on that date. He was mortally wounded on June 21, 1864 during the Siege of Petersburg, VA and died the next day. Samuel Jones Benton, previously 1st Lieutenant of Company G and slightly wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA, was elected Captain of Company K on September 29, 1864. He was wounded at the Battle of Belle Grove, VA on October 19, 1864. Reason not provided, he was dropped from the rolls on April 25, 1865.

BRIGADE AFFILIATIONS:

The original 2nd SC Regiment (SCV) was mustered into State service and assigned to Brig. Gen. C.H. Nelson and Maj. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham, both SC Militia officers, and was stationed on Morris Island during the Battle of Fort Sumter. After Milledge L. Bonham was appointed Confederate Brigadier General, the original regiment briefly served under him along with the 1st SC Volunteers (Gregg's)—April to May of 1861.

Six (6) companies refused to march to Virginia with Col. Joseph B. Kershaw, so six (6) new companies were mustered into the regiment near Richmond, VA on May 22-23, 1861, and the "new and improved 2nd SC Regiment (SCV)," along with the 3rd SC Regiment (SCV), the 7th SC Regiment (SCV), the 8th SC Regiment (SCV), and Kemper's Artillery (VA) were assigned to Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham (SC).

After Brig. Gen. Bonham resigned on January 27, 1862 to take his seat in the First Confederate Congress, his brigade was taken over by newly-commissioned Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw (February 1, 1862), and it was proudly known as 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. On November 26, 1862, the brigade added the 15th SC Regiment (SCV) and the 3rd SC Battalion (SCV). On May 28, 1864, the brigade added the 20th SC Regiment (SCV).

Brig. Gen. Kershaw was promoted to Major General on May 18, 1864, and newly-commissioned Brig. Gen. James Conner commanded the brigade until October of 1864, when he was re-assigned to lead several other important brigades.

Col. John D. Kennedy then led the brigade and he was promoted to Brigadier General on December 22, 1864. During the Carolinas Campaign of early 1865, the regiment was under Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee (GA), Maj. Gen. LaFayette McLaws (SC), and Brig. Gen. John D. Kennedy.

On April 9, 1865 the regiments were consolidated, and the brigade now consisted of the "new" 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated, the 3rd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated, and the 7th SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated—the 3rd SC Battalion (SCV), the 8th SC Regiment (SCV), the 15th SC Regiment (SCV), and the 20th SC Regiment (SCV) ceased to exist on April 9, 1865. The 2nd SC Regiment (SCV), Consolidated was surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (VA) at Bennett's Place, NC on April 26, 1865 and the men were paroled on May 2, 1865 near Greensborough, NC.

KEY ENGAGEMENTS:

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