South Carolina 1st Battalion Senior Reserves
Historical Notes:
In February 1864 a new law passed that stated all males between ages 17-50 were liable to serve within their state. Those that were 18-45 years old and already serving were to stay in their current military unit. Those men not serving, or under 18 and over 45, were required to either join an existing local defense unit or to form a new unit. Eight battalions were created and designated as the 1st- 8th Battalions, South Carolina Reserves. Later these units were referred to as the Battalions of Senior Reserves in order to separate them from the Regiments of Junior Reserves. By the summer of 1864, these units were organized and many of them serving in different areas. They were mustered into Confederate service on October 31, 1864. Some of the units disbanded before the end of the war and others were combined with other military units on April 9, 1865.
The 1st Battalion, South Carolina Reserves was organized in the summer of 1865 and it was also known as William's Battalion. It was organized with seven companies and served as prison guards in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. The unit was moved to North Carolina where it was given leave and then joined active service as cavalry, serving as a detachment in Ferguson's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry. On April 9, 1865 at Smithfield, North Carolina, the battalion was consolidated with members of the 2nd, 6th, and 7th South Carolina Reserve Infantry Battalions, the 3rd South Carolina Infantry Battalion, plus the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 20th South Carolina Volunteers to form the new units of the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th South Carolina Volunteers Consolidated.
Assignments:
prison guards in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina
detachment in Ferguson's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry
Battles:
The Carolinas Campaign
Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 195 men.
Company A - Spartanburg District (County)The 1st Battalion, South Carolina Reserves was organized in the summer of 1865 and it was also known as William's Battalion. It was organized with seven companies and served as prison guards in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. The unit was moved to North Carolina where it was given leave and then joined active service as cavalry, serving as a detachment in Ferguson's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry. On April 9, 1865 at Smithfield, North Carolina, the battalion was consolidated with members of the 2nd, 6th, and 7th South Carolina Reserve Infantry Battalions, the 3rd South Carolina Infantry Battalion, plus the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 20th South Carolina Volunteers to form the new units of the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th South Carolina Volunteers Consolidated.
detachment in Ferguson's Brigade, Wheeler's Cavalry
Company B - Anderson District (County) and Greenville District (County)
Company C - Spartanburg District (County)
Company D - Spartanburg District (County)
Bibliography for Research: