A Brief History
The 3rd SC Infantry Battalion was formed with 7 companies at Columbia, SC in December 1861 to January 1862 and sent to Adams Run, headquarters of the 3rd Military District of the Department of SC, GA, and FL commanded by Brigadier General Nathan G. Evans. When the battalion arrived they were moved to Edisto Island and soon experienced their first action on December 26, 1861 during a skirmish and afterwards fought at the Pineberry Battery on February 21, 1862. In mid-july they were ordered to Richmond, VA to join a new brigade commanded by Brigadier General Thomas F. Drayton. When they arrived in Richmond the battalion joined the 15th SC, 50th GA, 51st Ga, and Phillips GA Legion Infantry regiments under General Drayton. The brigade then joined David R. Jones’ Division and fought at Second Manassas, followed by South Mountain where the battalion suffered its highest casualties and lost its commanding officer Lt. Col. George S. James. The well depleted brigade then fought at Sharpsburg before retreating back to Virginia with the rest of the army. On November 15, 1862 the 3rd Battalion and 15th SC Infantry were transferred to Brigadier General Joseph B. Kershaw’s brigade where they would remain for the rest of the war.
The brigade then played a prominent role in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. In September of 1863 it was transferred to the Western Theatre and fought at Chickamauga and in the Siege of Knoxville. When the brigade returned to Virginia they participated in Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, and the Siege of Petersburg. During the Siege of Petersburg the brigade was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley where it joined Major General Jubal A. Early’s Army of the Valley after its retreat from Maryland. Here they fought at Berryville, Strasburg, and the disastrous Battle of Cedar Creek. They were then transferred back to the Army of Northern Virginia only to be turned to South Carolina. The brigade opposed Major General William T. Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign and fought at Averasboro and Bentonville in North Carolina. They were afterwards consolidated with the 3rd and 8th South Carolina Infantry Regiments and part of Blanchard’s SC Reserves Brigade to form the new 3rd South Carolina Consolidated Infantry. They were paroled on May 2n, 1865 at Greensboro, NC following General Joseph E. Johnston surrender to Major General William T. Sherman on April 26, 1865 at Bennett’s Place, NC.
The brigade then played a prominent role in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. In September of 1863 it was transferred to the Western Theatre and fought at Chickamauga and in the Siege of Knoxville. When the brigade returned to Virginia they participated in Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, and the Siege of Petersburg. During the Siege of Petersburg the brigade was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley where it joined Major General Jubal A. Early’s Army of the Valley after its retreat from Maryland. Here they fought at Berryville, Strasburg, and the disastrous Battle of Cedar Creek. They were then transferred back to the Army of Northern Virginia only to be turned to South Carolina. The brigade opposed Major General William T. Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign and fought at Averasboro and Bentonville in North Carolina. They were afterwards consolidated with the 3rd and 8th South Carolina Infantry Regiments and part of Blanchard’s SC Reserves Brigade to form the new 3rd South Carolina Consolidated Infantry. They were paroled on May 2n, 1865 at Greensboro, NC following General Joseph E. Johnston surrender to Major General William T. Sherman on April 26, 1865 at Bennett’s Place, NC.