The First South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (US)

Postal Mailing Address and Phone Number

Later, the First South Carolina was reorganized under General Rufus B. Saxon. Attempts to recruit troops from Hilton Head's African-American population were difficult at first due to memories of the failed "Hunter Experiment." These obstacles were overcome and the first company was formed under the command of Captain C.T. Trowbridge.

The first engagement of the 1st S.C. was during an expedition along the Georgia-Florida coast. General Saxton had established military objectives for the expedition, but his primary goal was to prove the fighting ability of his black troops. The expedition was under the command of Colonel Oliver T. Beard of the 48th N.Y volunteer infantry and was composed of Company A, 1st S.C. numbering 62 men under Captain Trowbridge. From November 3 to November 18, 1862, Company A raided Confederate picket posts, salt works, and saw mills all along the Georgia/Florida coasts. Large quantities of rice and lumber were captured in addition to the liberation of 155 slaves. Ninety-four of the liberated african-americans joined the 1st S.C. As for their fighting ability, Colonel Beard wrote, "The colored men fought with astonishing coolness and bravery. For alacrity in effecting landing, for determination, and for bush fighting, I found them all I could desire - more than I had hoped. They behaved bravely, gloriously, and deserve all praise."

On November 10, 1862, Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson assumed command of the 1st S.C. It was under Higginson's command that the 1st reached full strength and was drilled into fighting order. Higginson led the regiment on an expedition up the St. Mary's River along the Georgia-Florida state line. This expedition lasted from 23 January to 1 February, 1863. It was during this expedition that the 1st engaged Confederate forces near Township Landing. The 1st won the battle but suffered seven men wounded and one killed: Private Williams Parson of Company G. Higginson wrote of the engagement, " Braver men never lived. . . It was their demeanor under arms that shamed the nation into recognizing them as men. They had home, household, and freedom to fight for." Surgeon Seth Rogers reported that one man with two wounds walked more than two miles carrying two muskets from the battle scene. Another, with three wounds (one in the skull) would not tell of his wounds until ordered by his immediate officers. Rogers said of this man, "he is perfectly quiet and cool, but takes the whole affair with religious bearing of a man who realizes that freedom is sweeter than life."

This Page shows the 1st. in their famous red pants.

One of the most significant actions the 1st participated in was the occupation of Jacksonville, Florida. In march of 1863, a squadron of five steamboats made their way up the St. Johns River with the 1st S.C. and 2nd S.C. Volunteer Infantry on board. On March 10, the forces occupied Jacksonville with no resistance. Located well within Confederate territory, holding the town would be difficult. Several assaults on the town were repulsed by the 1st and 2nd S.C. Although they had once again proved their abilities under fire, Jacksonville was abandoned by Federal forces.

On February 8, 1864, the regiment was redesignated the 33rd United States Colored Troops. Combined with two other regiments (one white and one black) the 33rd made their first assault on a fortification at Battery Gregg on James Island, in Charleston. The combined forces began their attack on July 2nd, 1864 and captured the fort that day. In December, 1864, the 33rd participated with the 55th Massachusetts at the Battle of Honey Hill, a costly defeat for federal forces.

In the final year of their service, the 1st S.C. was part of the union garrison of Savannah and Charleston. They were mustered out of service on February 9, 1866 at Fort Wagner, above the graves of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the 54th Massachusetts.