List of South Carolina militia units in the American Revolution explained

The South Carolina militia units in the American Revolution were established on January 17, 1775 by the South Carolina Provincial Congress. These militia units were subordinate to the South Carolina Council of Safety. Officers were selected by February 1775. In November 1775, the Militia units were renamed regiments. On March 28, 1778, the South Carolina General Assembly consolidated the regiments into four brigades, each led by a Brigadier General.[1]

Militia units

The first sixteen militia were established in February 1775. While initially called just militia, they were renamed as regiments in November 1775. When Charlestown fell on May 12, 1780, most of the generals were taken as prisoners by the British and the regiments were left to fend for themselves. Most new regiments were Light Dragoons vice infantry. The known regiments, brigades, and independent units included:[1] [2]

South Carolina militia units in the American Revolution
Unit NameSubordinationDate establishedDisbandedOriginal Commander, RankRefs
1st BrigadeCouncil of Safetydata-sort-value="1778.03"March 25, 1778May 12, 1780data-sort-value="Bull, Stephen"Stephen Bull, BG[3] [4]
2nd BrigadeCouncil of Safetydata-sort-value="1778.03"March 25, 1778May 12, 1780data-sort-value="Richardson, Richard"Richard Richardson, BG[5] [6]
3rd BrigadeCouncil of Safetydata-sort-value="1778.03"March 25, 1778May 12, 1780data-sort-value="Williamson, Andrew"Andrew Williamson, BG[7] [8]
4th BrigadeCouncil of Safetydata-sort-value="1778.03"March 25, 1778May 12, 1780data-sort-value="McIntosh, Alexander"Alexander McIntosh, BG[9]
Beaufort District Militia/ Regiment1st Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Bull, Stephen"Stephen Bull, Col[10] [11]
Forks of Saluda District Militia/ Regiment3rd Brigadedata-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Starke, Robert"Robert Starke, Col[12]
Camden District Militia/ Regiment2nd Brigade (17781780)
Col Sumter (backcountry) (1780)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Richardson, Richard"Richard Richardson, Col[13]
Little River District Militia/ Regiment3rd Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Lindsay, John"John Lindsay, Col[14]
Charles Town District Militia/ Regiment1st Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Moultrie, William"William Moultrie, Col[15] [16]
New Acquisition District Militia/ Regiment2nd Brigade (17781780)
Col Sumter (backcountry) (1780)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Neel, Thomas"Thomas Neel, Col[17]
Cheraws District Militia/ Regiment4th Brigade (17781780)
Marion's Brigade (1781)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Powell, George GabrielGeorge Gabriel Powell, Col[18]
Upper Saluda District Militia/ Regiment2nd Brigadedata-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="1775.09"September 1775 data-sort-value="Fletchall, Thomas"Thomas Fletchall, Col[19] [20]
1st Spartan Regiment2nd Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1777.02"February 1777data-sort-value="Thomas, John"John Thomas, Sr., Col[21]
2nd Spartan Regiment2nd Brigade (17781780)
Col Sumter (backcountry) (1780)
data-sort-value="1777.02"February 1777data-sort-value="Brandon, Thomas"Thomas Brandon, Col[22]
Georgetown District Militia/ Regiment4th Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Screven, Thomas"Thomas Screven, Col[23]
Berkeley County Militia/ Regiment1st Brigade (17781780)
Marion's Brigade (1781)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Singleton, Richard"Richard Singleton, Col [24]
Ninety-Six District Militia/ Regiment3rd Brigadedata-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Savage, John"John Savage, Col [25]
Upper Ninety-Six Regiment3rd Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1778.03"March 28, 1778data-sort-value="Pickens, Andrew"Andrew Pickens, Col[26]
Lower Ninety-Six Regiment3rd Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1778.03"March 28, 1778data-sort-value="Hammond, LeRoy"LeRoy Hammond, Col[27]
Colleton County Militia/ Regiment1st Brigade (17781780)data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Glover, Joseph"Joseph Glover, Col [28]
Orangeburgh District Militia/ Regiment3rd Brigade (17781780)
Col Sumter (backcountry) (1780)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Thomson, William"William Thomson, Col[29]
Craven County Militia/ RegimentCouncil of Safety data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775November 1775 data-sort-value="Rothmahler, Job"Job Rotmahler, Col[30]
Upper Craven County Regiment4th Brigade (17781780)
Marion's Brigade
data-sort-value="1775.11"November 1775data-sort-value="Hicks, GeorgeGeorge Hicks, Col[31]
Lower Craven County Regiment4th Brigade (17781780)
Marion's Brigade (1781)
data-sort-value="1775.11"November 1775data-sort-value="Rothmahler, Job"Job Rothmahler, Col[32]
Fairfield Regiment2nd Brigade (17781780)
Col Sumter (backcountry) (1780)
data-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775data-sort-value="Kershaw, Joseph"Joseph Kershaw, Col [33]
Granville County Militia/ Regiment1st Brigadedata-sort-value="1775.02"February 1775June 1780data-sort-value="Garden, BenjaminBenjamin Garden, Col[34]
Upper Granville County Regiment2nd Brigade data-sort-value="1780.06"June 1780data-sort-value="Harden, William"William Harden, LTC, Col[35]
Lower Granville County Regiment2nd Brigade data-sort-value="1780.06"June 1780data-sort-value="Stafford, William"William Stafford, LTC[36]
Kingstree Regiment4th Brigade (1780)
Marion's Brigade (1781)
data-sort-value="1779.12"December 1779, January 1780data-sort-value="McDonald, Archibald"Archibald McDonald[37]
Kershaw RegimentCol Sumter (backcountry) (1780) data-sort-value="1780.06"June 1780data-sort-value="Postell, JamesJames Postell, Col[38]
Turkey Creek RegimentCol Sumter (backcountry) (1780)data-sort-value="1780.05"May 1780data-sort-value="Lacey, EdwardEdward Lacey, Col[39]
Polk's Regiment of Light DragoonsNorth Carolina's Mecklenburg County Regiment
South Carolina State Troops
data-sort-value="1780.07"July 1780data-sort-value="Polk, William"William Polk, Col[40] [41]
Hampton's Regiment of Light DragoonsCol Sumter (backcountry) (1780)data-sort-value="1780.07"July 1780data-sort-value="Hampton, Wade"Henry/Wade Hampton, Col[42]
Hill's Regiment of Light DragoonsCol Sumter (backcountry) (1780)data-sort-value="1780.07"July 1780data-sort-value="Hill, William"William Hill, Col[43]
1st Brigade (after fall of Charleston)Council of Safety data-sort-value="1780.08"Aug 1780data-sort-value="Sumter, Thomas"Thomas Sumter, Col/BG[44]
2nd Brigade (after fall of Charleston)Council of Safety data-sort-value="1780.08"Aug 1780data-sort-value="Marion, Francis"Francis Marion, Col/BG[45]
3rd Brigade (after fall of Charleston)Council of Safety data-sort-value="1781.07"July 1781data-sort-value="Pickens, Andrew"Andrew Pickens, BG[46]
Horry's Light Dragoons2nd Brigadedata-sort-value="1781.02"February 16, 1781data-sort-value="Horry, Peter"Peter Horry, LTC[47] [48] [49]
Maham's Light Dragoons2nd Brigadedata-sort-value="1781.03"Mar 1781data-sort-value="Maham, Hezekiah"Hezekiah Maham, Maj[50] [51] [52]
Hammond's Light Dragoons Regiment3rd Brigadedata-sort-value="1781.04"April 1781data-sort-value="Hammond, Samuel"Samuel Hammond LTC/Col [53]
4th Brigade (after fall of Charleston)Council of Safety data-sort-value="1781.09"September 1781data-sort-value="Barnwell, John"John Barnwell BG[54]
Independent Company of RangersIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="1776.00"1776data-sort-value="Bowie, John"John Bowie, CPT[55]
Independent Company of RangersIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="Ellison, Robert"Robert Ellison, CPT[56]
Independent Company of RangersIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="1776.00"1776data-sort-value="Tutt, Benjamin"Benjamin Tutt, CPT[57]
Independent Company of RangersIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="1780.00"1780data-sort-value="Polk, Ezekiel"Ezekiel Polk, CPT[58]
Indian Field CompanyIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="Fullerton, John"John Fullerton, CPT[59]
Catawba Indian Company of RoversIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="1776.00"1776data-sort-value="Boykin, Samuel"Samuel Boykin, CPT[60]
Charles Town Artillery CompanyIndependentdata-sort-value="1775.00"1775data-sort-value="Robert, Owen"Owen Robert, CPT[61]
Racoon CompanyIndependentdata-sort-value="1776.00"1776data-sort-value="1780.00"1780data-sort-value="Allston, John"John Allston, CPT[62]
Indian Company of RoversIndependentdata-sort-value="1776.00"1776data-sort-value="Withers, John"John Withers, LT/CPT[63]
Charles Town Artillery CompanyIndependentdata-sort-value="1778.00"1778data-sort-value="1780.00"1780data-sort-value="White, Sims"Sims White, CPT[64]
Independent CompanyIndependentdata-sort-value="1781.00"1781data-sort-value="1781.00"1781data-sort-value="Snipes, William Clay"William Clay Snipes, Maj[65]

Notes:

Provincial and state units

For clarification and comparison purposes, the South Carolina provincial and state troop units are listed below:[66]

UnitDate establishedDisbandedContinental Line, DateOriginal Commander, RankRef
1st Regiment (Infantry)data-sort-value="17750606"June 6, 1775data-sort-value="17800512"May 12, 1780Yes, November 4, 1775data-sort-value="Gadsden, Christopher]]Christopher Gadsden, Col[67]
2nd Regiment (Infantry)data-sort-value="17750606"June 6, 1775data-sort-value="17800512"May 12, 1780Yes, November 4, 1775data-sort-value="Moultrie, William"William Moultrie, Col[68]
3rd Regiment (Rangers)data-sort-value="17750606"June 6, 1775data-sort-value="17800512"May 12, 1780Yes, July 24, 1776data-sort-value="Thomson, William"William Thomson, LTC[69]
4th Regiment (Artillery)data-sort-value="17751114"November 14, 1775data-sort-value="17800512"May 12, 1780Yes, June 18, 1776data-sort-value="Roberts, Owen"Owen Roberts, LTC[70]
5th Regiment (Rifles)data-sort-value="17760222"February 22, 1776data-sort-value="17800200"Feb. 1780Yes, March 25, 1776data-sort-value="Hunger, Isaac"Isaac Huger, Col[71]
6th Regiment (Rifles)data-sort-value="17760228"February 28, 1776data-sort-value="17800200"Feb. 1780Yes, March 25, 1776data-sort-value="Sumter, Thomas"Thomas Sumter, LTC[72]
Light Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17790200"February 1779data-sort-value="17800512"May 12, 1780Nodata-sort-value="Horry, Daniel"Daniel Horry, Col[73]
1st Regiment of State Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810400"April 1781data-sort-value="17830000"1783Nodata-sort-value="Hampton, Wade"Wade Hampton, I, Col[74]
2nd Regiment of State Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810400"April 1781data-sort-value="17830000"1783Nodata-sort-value="Myddleton, Charles"Charles Myddleton, Col[75]
Hampton's Regiment of Light Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810400"April 1781data-sort-value="17830000"1783Nodata-sort-value="Hampton, Henry"Henry Hampton, LTC
Polk's Regiment of Light Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810400"April 1781data-sort-value="17820200"February 1782Nodata-sort-value="Polk, William"William Polk, LTC
Hill's Regiment of Light Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810400"April 1781data-sort-value="17820000"1782Nodata-sort-value="Hill, William"William Hill, Col
Hammond's Regiment of Light Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17810900"September 1781data-sort-value="17820000"1782Nodata-sort-value="Hammond, Samuel"Samuel Hammond, Col
3rd Regiment of State Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17811000"October 1781data-sort-value="17830000"1783Nodata-sort-value="Maham, Hezekiah"Hezekiah Maham, LTC[76]
4th Regiment of State Dragoonsdata-sort-value="17811000"October 1781data-sort-value="17820000"1782Nodata-sort-value="Horry, Peter"Peter Horry, LTC[77]

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lewis, J.D.. March 24, 2019. South Carolina Militia. carolana.com.
  2. [Southern Campaigns: Pension Transactions]
  3. Web site: First Brigade. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  4. Web site: Stephen Bull. Rowland, Lawrence S.. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. July 25, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  5. Web site: 2nd Brigade. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  6. Web site: Richard Richardson. Debaney, Kendra. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. October 25, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2016.
  7. Web site: 3rd Brigade. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  8. Web site: Andrew Williamson. Fore, Samuel K.. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. July 11, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  9. Web site: 4th Brigade. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  10. Web site: Beaufort District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  11. Web site: Stephen Bull. Roland, Lawrence S.. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. July 25, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  12. Web site: Forks of Salud District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  13. Web site: Camden District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  14. Web site: Littler River District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  15. Web site: Chrles Town District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  16. Web site: William Moultrie. Talbert, Roy Jr.. January 8, 2019. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  17. Web site: New Acquisition District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  18. Web site: Cheraws District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  19. Web site: Upper Saluda District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  20. Web site: Upper Spartan Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  21. Web site: 1st Spartan Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 23, 2019.
  22. Web site: 1st Spartan Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 23, 2019.
  23. Web site: Georgetown District Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  24. Web site: Berkeley County Regiment. carolana.com. Lewis, J. D.. December 23, 2019.
  25. Web site: Ninety Six District Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 23, 2019.
  26. Web site: Andrew Pickens. Fore, Samuel K.. January 11, 2017. scencyclopedia.org. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. December 23, 2019.
  27. Web site: Leroy Hammond. Hamer, Fritz. May 17, 2016. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. December 23, 2019.
  28. Web site: Colleton County Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 24, 2019.
  29. Web site: Orangeburgh District Militia. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 24, 2019.
  30. Web site: Craven County Regiment. Lewis, J. D.. csrolana.com. December 25, 2019.
  31. Web site: Upper Craven County Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  32. Web site: Lower Craven County Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  33. Web site: Joseph Kershaw. Downey, Tom. January 17, 2017. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  34. Web site: Granville County Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  35. Web site: William Harden. Fore, Samuel K.. May 17, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.
  36. Web site: Lower Granville County Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  37. Web site: Kingstree Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  38. Web site: Kershaw Regiment. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  39. Web site: Turkey Creek Regiment. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  40. Web site: Polk's Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190809182741/https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/patriot_militia_sc_polks_regiment.html. August 9, 2019. live.
  41. Web site: William Polk. NCPedia. McFarland, Daniel M.. 1994. December 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190924034253/https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/polk-william. September 24, 2019. live.
  42. Web site: Hampton's Regiment. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  43. Web site: Hill's Regiment of Light Dragoons. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  44. Web site: Thomas Sumter. Lockhart, Matthew A.. November 21, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. December 23, 2019.
  45. Web site: South Carolina's Second Brigade. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  46. Web site: South Carolina's 3rd Brigade. Lewis, J. D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  47. Web site: Horrys Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 23, 2019.
  48. Web site: Peter Horry. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. March 25, 2019.
  49. Web site: South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Peter Horry. Salley, A.S.. April 1, 1937. March 25, 2019.
  50. Encyclopedia: Hezekiah Maham. Fore, Samuel K.. South Carolina Encyclopedia. University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. August 2, 2016. March 25, 2019.
  51. Web site: Lewis, J.D.. The American Revolution in South Carolina, Hezekiah Maham. March 25, 2019.
  52. Web site: Mahams Light Dragoons. carolana.com. Lewis, J.D.. December 23, 2019.
  53. Web site: Hammond's Light Dragoons Regiment. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  54. Web site: South Carolina Fourth Brigade. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  55. Web site: Francis Bowie, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  56. Web site: Robert Ellison, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  57. Web site: Benjamin Tutt, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  58. Web site: Ezekiel Polk, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  59. Web site: John Fullerton, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  60. Web site: Samuel Boykin, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  61. Web site: Robert Owen, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  62. Web site: John Allston, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  63. Web site: John Withers, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  64. Web site: Sims White, Captain. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  65. Web site: William Clay Snipes, Major. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  66. Web site: South Carolina in the America Revolution, Provincial and State Troops. Lewis, J.D.. March 25, 2019.
  67. Web site: SC 1st Regiment (Infantry). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  68. Web site: SC 2nd Regiment (Infantry). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  69. Web site: SC 3rd Regiment (Rangers). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  70. Web site: SC 4th Regiment (Artillery). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  71. Web site: SC 5th Regiment (Rifles). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  72. Web site: SC 6th Regiment (Rifles). Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  73. Web site: SC Light Dragoons. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  74. Web site: 1st Regiment of State Dragoons. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  75. Web site: 2nd Regiment of State Dragoons. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  76. Web site: 3rd Regiment of State Dragoons. Lewis, J.D.. carolana.com. December 26, 2019.
  77. Web site: Peter Horry. Talbert, Roy Jr.. September 30, 2016. scencyclopedia.org. December 23, 2019.