The First South Carolina Regiment of Cavalry

Part of Civil War @ Charleston Website

Historic Unit

The First South Carolina Regiment of Cavalry as formed in 1861 and ordered up to Northern Virginia in the fall of 1862. Assigned to Gen. Wade Hampton's Brigade, they participated in numerous battles and engagements such as Chambersburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Kelly's Ford, and Mine Run. Ordered South to defend their native state and surrounding areas in the fall of 1864, the First South Carolina Cavalry served in the defense of the city of Savannah, and the Campaign of the Carolinas. After four years of honorable and gallant service, the First South Carolina Cavalry ended the war with the Army of Tennessee in April of 1865.

The Reenactment Unit of the 1st. SC Cav. Today

Non-Political, Non-Sectarian, Educational and Authentic

In memory of troopers of Southern heritage who rode into history, the Ist S.C. Cavalry is a memorial unit of the oldest Confederate cavalry regiment in South Carolina. Re-create and experience the life of Confederate cavalry troopers during the War for Southern independence through living history, parades, memorial services, educational programs, and battle reenactments. Ride, once again, under the Stars and Bars, with horse equipment, accouterments, weapons, and uniforms authentic to the cavalry units from South Carolina (1861 to 1865). participate with infantry and artillery units in events sponsored by the Palmetto Battalion. Re-live the battlefield and camp life of the Confederate troopers with South Carolina's authentic First S.C. Cavalry.

Trooper Tony Beck (Pictured right) shares insights gained from Cavalry Reenactments in his articles.

Putting it on the Paper at 100 yards. How to increase the accuracy of your black powder arm on the range.
Accuracy of Small Arms Fire in the Civil War, despite famous accounts of marksmanship, many Civil War soldiers were very ineffective at hitting their targets.
Cleaning and Maintaining the Sharps Carbine, how to keep the most common carbine of the war operating and avoid an accumulation of powder in the stock that may explode.

Brent Brown on Cavalry Equipment and Drill

Hooking the Sabre - the proper way to hook and carry a cavalry sabre while dismounted.
The selection and identification of the model 1840 Dragoon Sabre
Cowboy Boots & Confederates - Cowboy boots were developed after the war and are not a proper part of a Confederate horse soldier's kit.
Pheasants- A New Bird: Hats, Feathers and Two Good Books Why pheasant feathers should not be used in the hats of reenactors protraying Civil War era troops and two book recommendations.

Cavalry in Coastal S.C. Bibliography A link to the cavalry section of our Bibliography.

Unit Contacts

E-mail to unit Commander Brent Brown at bcbrown@cpis.net

Charleston- Kipp Valentine (803) 762-6040
Columbia- Gary Byrd (803) 732-0676,
Sumter- Brent Brown (803) 481-8490; bcbrown@cpis.net
Aiken- Richard Swygert (803) 278-6613
Kershaw- Barry Lankford (803) 475-8766
Port Royal- Bill Duggan (803) 525-6456; duggan@islc.net

Activities and Events

Some of the activities and events in which the 1st. SC Cavalry are or have been involved include:

War at Flood Tide, Civil War History Weekend to Benefit the Hunley, May 9-11, 1997
Special Blue and Gray Unit for December 8, 1996 Charleston Christmas Parade
Liberation of Port Royal Reenactment, Oct. 1996

Links to Other Cavalry Information on the Web

Terrel's Texas Cavalry, 34th. Texas, a nicely presented page with lots of information on this racially diverse unit.

The Civil War Cavalry Page- http://www.triadpix.com

Back to Civil War @ Charleston

This page is maintained by William Hamilton (hamilton@awod.com) using HTML Notepad.
Last updated March 22, 1997