Read about the 27th's Flag, pictured right
The Twenty-Seventh was especially claimed by Charlestonians as their regiment, and in consequence of its local popularity many of the best young men of the city were in its ranks. The average intellegence and social position of the rank and file were thus greater than most regiments. It was not equal to some others in its discipline, But under Gaillard, or any of its officers who possessed its confidence, it would go anywhere and do anything. . . . There was too much intellegence and too little rigidity of discipline in its ranks for men without force of character to command it sucessfully. This regiment . . . had served only in South Carolina but it had been peculiarly fortunate in its service. It had won honor in the Fort at Secessionville in ‘62; had been Taliferro’s mainstay at Wagner on the 18th. July; a portion of it had been Elliot’s garrison at Sumter when the boat attack was repulsed; and two of its sharpshooter regiments had obtained honorable mention at Pocotaligo.
Gen. Johnson Hagood
Memoirs of the War of Secession
Page 208, Describing the Unit's service prior to 1864
Prior to October 30, 1863, parts of the 27th. were organized as the Charleston Battallion or the 1st. S.C. Infantry Battallion (later Companies A,B,C,D,H,I - 27 S.C.) and the 1st. Battallion S.C. Sharpshooters (later Companies E,F,G - 27 S.C.)
Bibliography on the 27th. South Carolina
The Charleston Battallion distinguished themselves not only by their gallantry, but by their discipline and cool performance of duty, and obedience to orders under the excitement and confusion always incident to a night attack.
From the official report of General John Booth Taliafiero, C.S.A.,
Commander of Battery Wagner.
On November 28, 1863 Private James Tupper, Jr. 27th. South Carolina , seeing the flag on Sumter shot down, walked the whole length of the gorge wall on the parapet and endeavored to raise it. Finding the staff too short, he procured an additional spar and, with the assitance of some comrades, succeded in splicing and planting the staff under a very heavy fire, one shot of which cut the flag from their hands." A gallant deed, but what else could they do with the example of the heroic Sergeant Jasper who did the same deed within sight of Ft. Sumter during the war of the Revolution.
Confederate Veteran, Vol 27, Page 145
On the 21st of August, 1864 during the siege of Petersburg, Gen. A.P. Hill ordered forces including Hagood's Brigade to attempt to recapture a portion of the Weldon railroal linking Petersburg and Richmond with points South, including Wilmington and Charleston. This was the same Atlantic Coast Railroad the 27th. had helped defend in actions South of Charleston. The soldiers moved out at 3:00 a.m., crossing streams and swamps in the rainy predawn. The fog prevented an accurate reconissance of the Federal lines. The commanding Generals did not believe the Federal Army was entrenched. The brigade charged across a 300 yard clearning and drove the Federal army out of an entrenched skirmish line, which the Generals had believed was the primary Federal line of battle.
The Brigade struck the primary line of Federal entrenchments, heavily fortified with a five foot parapet with a ten foot wide ditch, pierced with artillary positions. The five other Confederate Brigades ordered into the charge could not be seen. Hagood's Brigade hit the Federal entrenchments to the South and behind a projecting artillary salient which allowed the Federal artillary and infantry to infilaid the Confederate line. 2500 Federal Infantry and 12-15 artillary pieces raked the 740 men of Hagood's Brigade.
The Brigade hit the Federal line at an angle, breaking into two divisions. A federal counterattack charged out of an opening in the Federal line, surrounding and obtaining the surrunder of portions of the Brigade. Federal Cpt. Dailey charged in and siezed the regimental battle flag, demanding the surrender of the Brigade. General Hagood ran across the exposed field in the face of dense federal musketry and artillary fire to prevent a surrender. Hagood demanded Cpt. Dailey return the colors and return to his lines. Daily shouted that the Brigade was surrounded and its situation hopeless. A brief argument about the surrender ensued in the midst of the slaughter. Exasperated, Hagood demanded a yes or no answer to his demand for return of the colors, pistol in hand. Daily answered and emphatic no. General Hagood shot him through the body, mounted Cpt. Daily's horse and led his men through a break out fight to the rear. Pvt. J. D. Stoney (27th. S.C.) siezed the flag from Cpt. Daily's hands as he fell from the horse carried the recovered flag, now torn from its staff, to the rear.
The Brigade rallied to their General and fiercely charged to the rear, with Federal fire pouring in on them from the four points of the compass. The surrounding Federal line to their rear collapsed and they charged through it. A dense and deadly Federal fire from the main battle line, artillary positions and both flanks pursued them all the way to the cover of the swamp.
This was the last attempt to recapture the Weldon railroad. The Brigade carried 740 men into the fight and returned with only 273. After the war, Gen. Hagood wrote in support of Capt. Dailey's (who survived his wound) pension application. Weldon road was the bloodiest day in the history of the 27th. S.C. and a monument at Petersburg marks the spot.
General Beauregard (picture left) commented in reports, "Such an act of gallantry, as heren described, and of devotion to one's flag reflects the highest credit on the Officer who preforms it." Hagood was recommended for promotion to Major General. The report was endorsed with favor by General Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis. Pvt. Stoney was promoted to 2nd. Lietenant. The war ended before Hagood recieved his promotion. Memoirs of the War of Secession, page 292
The Battle and Brigade are remembered in a poem, The Charge of Hagood's Brigade.
Image, Left, Members of the 27th. (with others) portraying Confederate Provost (Military Police) at the 1995 Battle of Secessionville Reenactment
The Company is attached to Hampton's Legion, Palmetto Battallion which is part of the 1st. Confederate Division, Gen. Bill Smarts Brigade. It was admitted to the Battallion on June 8, 1996. Members portray a variety of impressions including Confederate Infantry, Provost (military police), C.S. Navy, C.S. Marines, Washerwomen, Cooks, Refugee Families and Federal Infantry. It meets monthy at the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Charleston. Meetings and events are listed in the Charleston Civil War Events Schedule. 42 members and a number of applicants are on the unit's active roster.
The 27th. is not a "hard core" organization and members are encouraged to camp and reenact with an awareness of their personal limits. Women and families prepared to express an accurate period impression are welcomed. Authenticity in the presence of the public is stressed and the organization prides itself on its ablity to portray specialized aspects of army and civillian life with variety and depth. The organiztion is working on a number of reenacting projects which portray urban life in the Confederacy including naval operations, military police activities and regulation court martial proceedings. Members cooperate with the 54th. Massachusetts in presenting a recreation of the Court Martial of Sgt. William Walker.
At Battle Reenactments the unit fields line infantry, marines, ambulence corps and provost guards as needed.
Host unit and Co Sponsor of War at Flood Tide Civil War History Weekend to benefit the Hunley Submarine Recovery
and Conservation Project, May 9-11, 1997
Special Blue and Gray Unit shares message of heritige and brotherhood for Charleston Christmas Parade, December 8, 1996.
Participated in the Liberation of Port Royal, including the recreation of a Civil War Court Martial, Oct. 1996, working with the 54th. Massachusetts, Co. I and other Confederate Units.
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