OVERVIEW OF REGIMENT:

The 3rd SC Cavalry, aka Colcock's Regiment, was organized in Beaufort District, at either Grahamville or Camp Lay between Hardeeville and Bluffton, on August 19, 1862. The regiment was first called the 2nd SC Cavalry, but was quickly re-designated as the 3rd SC Cavalry; this was due to the fact that final 2nd SC Cavalry and final 3rd SC Cavalry (this regiment) were created within a few days of each other, the former in Virginia, this one in South Carolina.

This new regiment of Cavalry was the consolidation of the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry (aka Colcock's Battalion), which included seven (7) companies, and three (3) Independent Cavalry Companies: J. Jenkins's Mounted Riflemen (SC), the German Hussars (SC) (aka Capt. T. Cordes's Company), and H.C. Smart's Company (SC). Some records assert that this regiment later added two (2) more companies, but provide very little evidence that these were valid additions. Most of the men in this regiment were independent planters and farmers from Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, and Charleston District. They were armed with rifles and frequently fought on foot as Infantry.

The 3rd SC Cavalry served in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina for the duration of the war. Col. Colcock later wrote that his regiment was stationed on the South Carolina coast at Charleston, and between Red Bluff near Savannah, GA and Port Royal Ferry, but that it was never all together at any one time. Companies A, C, D, E, and K were based at Grahamville, in Beaufort District, to defend the Charleston & Savannah Railroad, and to picket the Coosawhatchie River, the western shore of the Broad River, and its tributary creeks. Companies B and G were based at McPhersonville in Beaufort District (what would now be Hampton County) to picket the Tullifinny River and the Port Royal Ferry. Company F was based at the head of Fording Island Road near Bluffton in Beaufort District, while picketing Red Bluff on the New River, the May River, and Port Royal Ferry on the Colleton River. Company H was based at Johns Island Ferry and picketed the Stono River in Charleston District. Company I was based at Johns Island and James Island in Charleston District.

On April 4, 1865, the 3rd SC Cavalry was ordered from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC. Company I, with possibly a few others, joined Confederate President Jefferson Davis at Union, SC, where he dined at Brig. Gen. William H. Wallace's (SC) home on April 28, 1865. While there, President Davis ordered Col. Colcock to award the regiment a 90-day furlough. However, official records report that this regiment was included, at least on paper, in Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's (VA) Army of Tennessee surrender on April 26, 1865 at Bennett's Place, near Durham, NC. Most companies were disbanded in South Carolina, but a few men may have been paroled at Greensborough, NC on May 2, 1865.

For the detailed movements of this Cavalry Regiment, see the book cited below. All recorded skirmishes and battles are provided at the bottom of this page, so the reader can get a good idea about where they went and when.

FIELD OFFICERS:

As Captain of the Ashley Dragoons, an Independent Cavalry Company from February to May of 1862, Charles Jones Colcock (1820-1891) was appointed Lt. Colonel/Commandant of the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry on May 20, 1862. As this regiment was being created, he was elected Colonel of the 3rd SC Cavalry on August 21, 1862; his appointment was approved on October 7, 1862 and back-dated to August 19, 1862. Col. Colcock owned lands in Beaufort, Barnwell, and Charleston Districts, apparently living in the latter when he first raised his Independent Cavalry Company. Prior to this, he had also served as Lt. Colonel of the 1st SC Regiment of Mounted Militia. In addition, he was Acting Brigadier General of the 3rd SC Military District, encompassing the territory between the Ashepoo and Savannah Rivers during 1863 to 1865. It is recorded that he was serving with his regiment near Charlotte, NC as late as April 4, 1865.

Thomas Hewlett Johnson, of Barnwell District, served as Major in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry from May 20, 1862 to August 19, 1862. Previously, he served as Captain of Company K—the Savannah River Guards—from November of 1861 to May 20, 1862. He was commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 3rd SC Cavalry also on October 7, 1862, back-dated to August 19, 1862.

John Jenkins (1824-1905), of Edisto Island in Colleton District, was an older brother of Brig. Gen. Micah John Jenkins (SC) and Captain of what became Company I from January 15, 1862 to October 7, 1862. When the 3rd SC Cavalry was created, he was commissioned Major also on October 7, 1862, back-dated to August 19, 1862. Maj. Jenkins often served in a detached capacity, including from May of 1863 to August of 1864, when he commanded all Confederate forces on Johns Island. In April of 1865, it is recorded that he was in Orangeburg, SC as commander of all Confederate troops there.

COMPANIES:

Company A—the Marion Men of Combahee—was previously Company B in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry, with Capt. D. Blake Heyward continuing to lead the company. He resigned on December 26, 1862 when a Board of Examiners failed to confirm his competency. Asbury M. Lowry succeded him as Captain on February 13, 1863. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company A until the end of the war.

Company B—the Colleton Rangers—was previously Company C in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry, with Capt. Archibald Lawrence Campbell continuing to lead the company. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company B until the end of the war.

Company C—the Beaufort District Troop—was previously Company G in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry, with Capt. John H. Howard continuing to lead the company. Capt. Howard resigned on May 9, 1864. 1st Lt. Thaddeus G. Buckner, who had been badly wounded on October 22, 1862 at the Battle of 2nd Pocotaligo, SC and was at home recuperating at least until December 31, 1864, was promoted to Captain, in absentia, on June 9, 1864. Capt. Buckner was wounded again on February 20, 1865 and was furloughed on March 1, 1865. Further records do not exist. 1st Lt. James McPherson Gregorie commanded the unit during Capt. Buckner's absence, but he was not promoted to Captain.

Company D—the Barnwell Dragoons—was previously Company D in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry, with Capt. Benjamin William Lawton, M.D. continuing to lead the company. Capt. Lawton resigned on March 19, 1863 after the citizens of Barnwell District appealed for him to return to his medical practice. George H. Kirkland succeeded him as Captain of Company D. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company D until the end of the war.

Company E—the Calhoun Minute Men (aka Calhoun Mounted Men)—was previously Company E in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry, with Capt. Alfred Maner Martin continuing to lead the company. He resigned on June 11, 1863 because he had been elected to the SC House of Representatives from St. Peter's Parish in Beaufort District. 1st Lt. Henry C. Raysor was promoted to Captain to succeed him on that same date. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company E until the end of the war.

Company F—the St. Peter's Guards—was previously the Independent Cavalry Company known as H.C. Smart's Company (SC), with Capt. Henry C. Smart continuing to lead the company. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company F until the end of the war.

Company G—the German Hussars—was previously the Independent Cavalry Company known as the German Hussars (SC) (aka T. Cordes's Company), with Capt. Theodore Cordes continuing to lead the company. He resigned on June 1, 1864 due to poor health. 1st Lt. Charles Fremder was promoted to Captain in August to succeed him, and he commanded Company G until the end of the war.

Company H—the Ashley Dragoons (aka the Ashley Rangers)—was previously Company A in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry), with Capt. George C. Heyward continuing to lead the company. He was paroled at Augusta, GA on May 18, 1865. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company H until the end of the war.

Company I—the Rebel Troop—was previously the Independent Cavalry Company known as J. Jenkins's Mounted Riflemen (SC), with Capt. John Jenkins continuing to lead the company. On October 7, 1862, he was promoted to Major of this regiment, back-dated to August 19, 1862. 1st Lt. John Lawton Seabrook succeeded him on the same date, and he led the company for the rest of the war.

Company K—the Savannah River Guards—was previously Company F in the 8th (2nd) SC Battalion-Cavalry), with Capt. A.B. Estes continuing to lead the company. Capt. Estes resigned on November 12, 1862 due to a chronic spinal condition, chronic dysentery, and acute rheumatism. 1st Lt. William B. Peeples succeeded him as Captain on that same date. No further records exist, so it is assumed that he continued to lead Company K until the end of the war.

BRIGADE AFFILIATIONS:

The 3rd SC Cavalry served in the various Military Districts (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th) within the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

On November 20, 1864, Company B was assigned to Brig. Gen. Beverly H. Robertson's (VA) Brigade. The remainder of the regiment was assigned to Maj. Gen. LaFayette McLaws's (SC) Division from July of 1864 to January of 1865.

In December of 1864, Company B was assigned to Harrison's Command, Companies C and E were assigned to Chesnut's Command, and Companies I and K were assigned to Jenkins's Command, all in Brig. Gen. William B. Taliaferro's (VA) Brigade.

On March 29, 1865, the 1st SC Cavalry, the 2nd SC Cavalry, and the 3rd SC Cavalry were placed into a new brigade under the recently re-instated Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham (SC). On April 4, 1865, the regiment, with Col. Charles J. Colcock, is recorded to be at Charlotte, NC.

KEY ENGAGEMENTS:

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