Colored troops raised in South Carolina

The first Black regiment mustered into United States service in the war was raised at Beaufort in 1862 as the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, from men who had freed themselves when the sea islands fell in November 1861. In February 1864 it and its successors were renumbered into the United States Colored Troops, and the National Park Service index files their cards under that heading. Only a fragment — the 93 cards of the "1st Regiment, South Carolina Infantry (Colored)" — remains filed under South Carolina. The regiments below are the ones whose own histories say they were organized at Hilton Head, Beaufort or Port Royal, or formed from the numbered South Carolina Colored Infantry; regiments that merely served in the state are not included.

Unit histories are the index's, drawn from Frederick H. Dyer's Compendium of the War of the Rebellion (1908). Each unit page lists every card.

1st Regiment, South Carolina Infantry (Colored) 93 cards

Organized at Beaufort, S.C., January 31, 1863. Attached to District of Beaufort, S.C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to January, 1864. Barton's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps, to February, 1864. Service: Before muster, 3 companies on Expedition along coasts of Georgia and Florida November 3 - 7 (Co. "A"). Doboy River November 8. Duty at Beaufort, S.C., and Port Royal Island till March, 1863. Expedition from Beaufort up St. Mary's River in Georgia and Florida January 23 - February 1. Skirmish at Township January 26. Expedition from Beaufort to Jacksonville, Fla., March 6-10. Occupation of Jacksonville March 10-31. Camp Jackson March 10. Operations near Jacksonville March 23-31. Skirmish near Jacksonville March 29. At Beaufort, S.C., till January, 1864. Expedition up South Edisto River July 9-11, 1863. Action, Williston Bluff, Pon Pon River, July 10. Expedition to Pocotaligo, S.C., November 23-25 (Cos. "E" and "K"). Skirmish near Cunningham's Bluff November 24. (Cos. "C" and "K" at Hilton Head, S.C., till September, 1863, then moved to Beaufort, S.C., October 2.) Regiment moved to Hilton Head, S.C., January, 1864. Expedition to Jacksonville Fla., February 6-8. Designation of Regiment changed to 33rd U.S. Colored Troops February 8, 1864, which see.

2nd Regiment, United States Colored Light Artillery 214 cards

Battery "A" Organized at Nashville, Tenn., April 30, 1864. Attached to Post and District of Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to March, 1865. District of Middle Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1866. SERVICE -- Garrison duty at Nashville, Tenn., and in Middle Tennessee, till January 1866. Battle of Nashville , December 15-16, 1864. Mustered out January 13, 1866. Battery "B" Organized at Fort Monroe, Va., January 8, 1864, Attached to Fort Monroe, Va., Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to April, 1864. Artillery, Hincks' Colored Division, 18th Corps, Army of the James, to May, 1864. Rand's Provisional Brigade, 18th Corps, to June, 1864. Arillery Brigade, 18th Corps, June, 1864. Unattached Artillery, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to July 1864. Defences of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to May, 1865. Artillery 25th Corps and Dept. of Texas to March 1866. SERVICE -- Duty at Fort Monroe, Va., till April 1864. Butler's operations south of James River and against Petersburg and Richmond, Va., May 4 to June 15, 1864. Action at Wilson's Wharf May 24. Petersburg , Va., June 9. Before Petersburg June 15-18. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond till July 7. Ordered to Portsmouth, Va., July 7, and duty there till May, 1865. Ordered to Texas May, 1865, and duty on the Rio Grande till March, 1866. Mustered out March 17, 1866. Battery "C" Organized from 1st Louisiana Battery, African Descent. Designated Battery "A" March 11, 1864, and Battery "C" April 26, 1864. Attached to Post of Goodrich Landing, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to May, 1864. Post of Vicksburg, Miss., to July, 1864. Post of Milliken's Bend, La., District of Vicksburg, Miss., to December, 1864. Reserve Artillery, Post of Vicksburg, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to December, 1865. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Goodrich's Landing, Vicksburg, and Milliken's Bend, and in the Dept. of Mississippi till December, 1865. Mustered out December 28, 1865. Predecessor unit: LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 1st BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Hebron's Plantation, Miss., November 6, 1863. Attached to 1st Brigade, U.S. Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, to April, 1864. On duty at Goodrich Landing and Vicksburg till April, 1864. Designation of Battery changed to Battery "C," 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery, April 26, 1864, which see. Battery "D" Organized from 2nd Louisiana Battery, African Descent. Designated Battery "B" March 11, 1864, and Battery "D" April 26, 1864. Attached to Post of Goodrich Landing, Dist. of Vicksburg, Miss., to December, 1864. Reserve Artillery, District of Vicksburg, Dept. of Mississippi, to December, 1865. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Goodrich's Landing, till December, 1864, and at Vicksburg, Miss., and in the Dept. of Mississippi till December 1865. Mustered out December 28, 1865. Predecessor unit: LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 2nd BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Black River Bridge, Miss., December 21, 1863. Attached to Post of Vicksburg, Miss., District of Vicksburg to March, 1864. Post Goodrich Landing, District of Vicksburg, to April, 1864. Designation of Battery changed to Battery "D," 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery, April 26, 1864, which see. Battery "E" Organized from 3rd Battery Louisiana Artillery, African Descent. Designated Battery "C" March 11, 1864, and Battery "E" April 26, 1864. Attached to District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to September, 1865. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Helena, Ark., till muster out. Operations in Arkansas July 1-31, 1864. Action at Wallace's Ferry, Big Creek, July 26. Operations in Eastern Arkansas August 1-5, 1864. Lamb's Plantation, near Helena, August 1. Expedition from Helena to Kent's Landing August 11-14 (Detachment). Expedition up White River August 29-September 2, 1864. Mustered out September 26, 1865. Predecessor unit: LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 3rd BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Helena, Ark., December 1, 1863. Attached to District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, and duty at Helena, Ark., till April, 1864. Designation of Battery changed to Battery "E," 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery, April 26, 1864, which see. Battery "F" Organized from Memphis Light Battery, African Descent. Designated Battery "D" March 11, 1864, and Battery "F" April 26, 1864. Attached to 1st Colored Brigade, District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Sturgis' Expedition, June, 1864. Post and Defences of Memphis, Tenn., District of West Tennessee, to December, 1864. Artillery Reserve, District of West Tennessee, to April 1865. Bridgeport, Ala., Dept. of the Cumberland, to July 1865. 2nd Infantry Brigade, District of West Tennesee, to December, 1865. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Memphis, Tenn., till April, 1865. Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 12, 1864 (Section). Sturgis' Expedition into Mississippi June 1-18. Battle of Ripley, Miss., June 7. Battle of Brice's Cross Roads , Guntown, June 10. Ripley June 11. Duty at Memphis till April 1865. Repulse of Forest's attack on Memphis August 21, 1864. Moved to Bridgeport, Ala., April, 1865, and duty there till December, Mustered out by consolidation with 3rd United States Colored Heavy Artillery December 28, 1865. Battery "G" Organized at Hilton Head, S.C., May 24, 1864. Attached to District of Hilton Head, S.C., Dept. of the South, to August, 1864. District of Beaufort, S.C., Dept. of the South, to October 1864. 2nd Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to June, 1865. Dept. of the South, to August, 1865. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C., entire term. Mustered out August 12, 1865. Battery "H" Organized from 1st Arkansas Battery, African Descent, December 13, 1864. Attached to Post of Pine Bluff, Ark., 7th Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to September 1865. SERVICE -- Garrison duty at Pine Bluff, Ark., entire term. Expedition to Mount Elba, Ark., and skirmish at Saline River, January 22-February 4, 1865. Mustered out September 15, 1865. Predecessor unit: ARKANSAS VOLUNTEERS. 1st BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Pine Bluff, Ark., June 4, 1864. Garrison duty at Pine Bluff, Ark. 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, till December, 1864. Designation changed to Battery "H," 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery, December 13, 1864, which see. Battery "I" Organized at Memphis, Tenn., April 19, 1864. Attached to District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to June, 1864. Colored Brigade, District of Memphis, Tenn. District of West Tennessee to December, 1864. Artillery Reserve, District of West Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1866. SERVICE -- Post and garrison duty at Memphis, Tenn., till April 1865. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Battle of Tupelo July 14-15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Duty at Memphis and in District of West Tennessee till January, 1866. Mustered out January 10, 1866. Only Battery G, organized at Hilton Head, is included; the regiment's other batteries were raised elsewhere.

21st Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,495 cards

Organized from 3rd and 4th Regiments, South Carolina Colored Infantry, March 14, 1864. Attached to 3rd Brigade, Vogdes' Division, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to April, 1864. Morris Island, S. C., Northern District, Dept. of the South, to October, 1864. 1st Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to February, 1865. Garrison of Charleston, S. C., Dept. of the South, to August, 1865. Dept. of the South, to October, 1866. Service: Duty at Jacksonville, Fla., till April, 1864. Moved to Hilton Head, S. C., thence to Folly Island, S. C., April 18. Duty on Folly Island, Morris Island and Coles Island operating against Charleston, S. C., till February, 1865. Expedition to James Island, S. C., June 30-July 10. Action on James Island July 2. Occupation of Charleston February 18. Garrison duty at Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, S. C., till August, 1865, and at various points in South Carolina and Georgia till October, 1866. Mustered out October 7, 1866. Predecessor units: SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 3rd REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Hilton Head, S. C., June, 1863. Attached to District of Hilton Head, S. C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. South, to January, 1864. Barton's Brigade, District Hilton Head, S. C., to February, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Vodges' Division, District of Florida, to March, 1864. Service: Post duty at Hilton, Head, S. C., till February, 1864. Moved to Jacksonville, Fla., February 6-8, and duty there till March. Designation of Regiment changed to 21st U. S. Colored Troops March 14, 1864, which see. SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 4th REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Fernandina, Fla., July, 1863. Attached to Post of Fernandina, Fla., Dept. South, to January, 1864. Barton's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, S. C., to February, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Vodges' Division, District of Florida, to March, 1864. Service: Duty at Fernandina, Fla., till January, 1864. At Hilton Head, S. C., till February, 1864. Moved to Jacksonville, Fla., February 6-8, and duty there till March. Regiment consolidated with 3rd South Carolina Infantry to form 21st U. S. Colored Troops March 14, 1864. SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 5th REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organization of Regiment not completed. Transferred to 3rd and 4th South Carolina Infantry.

33rd Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,435 cards

Organized February 8, 1864, from 1st South Carolina Colored Infantry. Attached to U. S. Forces, Port Royal Island, S. C., 10th Corps, Dept. of the South, to April, 1864. District of Beaufort, S. C., Dept. of the South, to July, 1864. Folly Island, S. C., Northern District, Dept. of the South, to October, 1864. 1st Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to March, 1865. District of Savannah, Ga., and Dept. of the South, to January, 1866. Service: -Duty at Port Royal Island, S. C., District of Beaufort, S. C., till July, 1864. Expedition to James Island, S. C., June 30-July 10. James Island near Secessionville July 2. Duty on Folly and Morris Islands operating against Charleston, S. C., to November. Demonstration on Charleston & Savannah Railroad, December 6-9. Devaux's Neck December 6. Tillifinny Station December 9. Ordered to Folly Island December 9. Near Pocotaligo Road December 20. At Pocotaligo, S. C., till February, 1865. Occupation of Charleston till March 8. Moved to Savannah, Ga., March 8, and duty there till June 6. Moved to Augusta, Ga. Duty there and at various points in the Dept. of the South till January, 1866. Mustered out January 31, 1866. Predecessor unit: SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 1st REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Beaufort, S. C., January 31, 1863. Attached to District of Beaufort, S. C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to January, 1864. Barton's Brigade, District of Hilton Head, S. C., 10th Corps, to February, 1864. Service: -Before muster, 3 Companies on Expedition along coasts of Georgia and Florida November 3-10, 1862 Spalding's, on Sapello River, Ga., November 7 (Co. "A"). Doboy River November 8. Duty at Beaufort, S. C., and Port Royal Island till March, 1863. Expedition from Beaufort up St. Mary's River in Georgia and Florida January 23-February 1. Skirmish at Township January 26. Expedition from Beaufort to Jacksonville, Fla.. March 6-10. Occupation of Jacksonville March 10-31. Camp Jackson March 10. Operations near Jacksonville March 22-31. Skirmish near Jacksonville March 29. At Beaufort, S. C., till January, 1864. Expedition up South Edisto River July 9-11, 1863. Action, Williston Bluff, Pon Pon River, July 10. Expedition to Pocotaligo, S. C., November 23-25 (Cos. "E" and "K"). Skirmish near Cunningham's Bluff November 24. (Cos. "C" and "K" at Hilton Head, S. C., till September, 1863, then moved to Beaufort, S. C.; Cos. "A" and "F" moved to Hilton Head September, 1863, returning to Beaufort, S. C., October 2.) Regiment moved to Hilton Head, S. C., January, 1864. Expedition to Jacksonville, Fla., February 6-8. Designation of Regiment changed to 33rd U. S. Colored Troops February 8, 1864, which see.

34th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,542 cards

Organized February 8, 1864, from 2nd South Carolina Colored Infantry. Attached to Montgomery's Brigade, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, February, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Vogdes' Division, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to April, 1864. Morris Island, S. C., Northern District, Dept. of the South, to June, 1864. District of Beaufort, S. C., Dept. of the South, to August, 1864. District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to October, 1864. 4th Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to January, 1865. 4th Separate Brigade, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, and Dept. of Florida, to February, 1866. Service: -Provost duty at Jacksonville, Fla., till March 30, 1864. Moved to Palatka, Fla., March 30-31, and to Picolata April 12. Ordered to Folly Island, S. C., April 13, thence to Morris Island, S. C., and duty there, operating against Charleston till May 20. Moved to St. Augustine, Fla., May 20, thence to Tybee Island, S. C., May 22. Expedition to Ashepoo River May 24-27. Action at Ashepoo River May 26. Moved to Hilton Head, S. C., June 30. Expedition to James Island, S. C. July 1-10. Near Winter's Point July 3. King's Creek July 3. Actions on James Island July 3 and 9-10. Burden's Causeway July 9. Return to Jacksonville, Fla., July 31. Expedition to Enterprise August 2-5. Raid on Florida Railroad August 15-18. Action at Gainesville August 17. Duty at Jacksonville, Palatka and Magnolia Springs, Fla., till November. Ordered to Hilton Head, S. C., November 25. Expedition to Boyd's Neck, S. C., November 28-30. Battle of Honey Hill November 30. Expedition to Devaux's Neck December 1-6. Action at Devaux's Neck December 6. Moved to Hilton Head, thence return to Jacksonville, Fla., January, 1865. Duty at Jacksonville and at various points in Florida till February, 1866. Mustered out February 28, 1866. Predecessor unit: SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 2nd REGIMENT INFANTRY (AFRICAN DESCENT). Organized at Beaufort and Hilton Head, S. C., May 22, 1863. Attached to Districts of Hilton Head and Beaufort, S. C., 10th Army Corps, Dept. of the South, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Corps, July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Corps, to August, 1863. 4th Brigade, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Corps, to November, 1863. 3rd Brigade, Morris Island, S. C., 10th Corps, to January, 1864. Montgomery's Brigade, District Hilton Head, S. C., to February, 1864. Service: -Duty at Hilton Head, S. C., to March, 1863. Expedition to Jacksonville, Fla., March 6-10. Occupation of Jacksonville March 10-31. Operations about Jacksonville March 28-31. Evacuation of Jacksonville March 31. At Beaufort, S. C., till July. Raid on Combahee River June 2. Expedition to James Island, S. C., July 7-17. Engagement at Grimball's Landing July 16. Operations on Morris Island against Forts Wagner and Gregg July 18-September 7. Capture of Forts Wagner and Gregg September 7. Operations against Fort Sumpter and Charleston, S. C., September 7, 1863, to January 29, 1864. Moved to Hilton Head, S. C., thence to Jacksonville, Fla., February 5-7. Designation of Regiment changed to 34th U. S. Colored Troops February 8, 1864, which see.

103rd Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,423 cards

Organized at Hilton Head, S. C., March 10, 1865. Attached to District of Savannah, Ga., Dept. of the South, to June, 1865. Dept. of the South to April, 1866. Service: Garrison and guard duty at Savannah, Ga., and at various points in Georgia and South Carolina entire term. Mustered out April 15-20, 1866.

104th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,135 cards

Organized at Beaufort, S. C., April 28 to June 25, 1865. Attached to Dept. of the South. Garrison and guard duty at various points in South Carolina till February. 1866. Mustered out February 5, 1866.

128th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry 1,343 cards

Organized at Hilton Head, S. C., April, 1865. Duty in Dept. of the South till October, 1865. Mustered out October 20, 1865.