The Continental Congress authorized the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. The first South Carolina Units in the Continental Army were the 1st and 2nd South Carolina Regiments. What follows is a short history of the South Carolina units that served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War from Robert K Wrights’, ‘The Continental Army’ (Center of Military History), 2006.
1st SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT: Authorized 6 June 1775 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 1st South Carolina Regiment. Organized in summer 1775 at Charleston to consist of ten companies from eastern South Carolina.
Adopted 4 November 1775 into the Continental Army. Assigned 27 February 1776 to the Southern Department.
Captured 12 May 1780 at Charleston by the British Army. Disbanded IS November 1783. ‘
ENGAGEMENTS: Charleston 1775-1776, Florida 1778, Savannah, Charleston 1780, one company served in the Caribbean 1778
2nd SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT Authorized 6 June 1775 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 2nd South Carolina Regiment. Organized in summer 1775 at Charleston to consist of ten companies from eastern South Carolina.
Adopted 4 November 1775 into the Continental Army. Assigned 27 February 1776 to the Southern Department.
Captured 12 May 1780 at Charleston by the British Army. Disbanded 1 January 1783.
ENGAGEMENTS: Charleston 1775-1776, Savannah, Charleston 1780; Detachments additionally served in Florida
3d SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT (South Carolina Ranger Regiment) Authorized 6 June 1775 in the South Carolina State Troops as the South Carolina Regiment of Horse Rangers. Organized in summer 1775 at Ninety-Six Court House and other locations to consist of nine companies from western South Carolina. Re designated 12 November 1775 as the 3d South Carolina Regiment.
Adopted 24 July 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department.
Captured 12 May 1780 at Charleston by the British Army. Disbanded 1 January 1781.
ENGAGEMENTS Charleston 1775-1776, Southern Highlands, Savannah, Charleston 1780, Detachments additionally served in the following: Cherokees 1776, Florida 1778
4th SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT (South Carolina Artillery Regiment) Authorized 13 November 1775 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 4th South Carolina Regiment. Organized 20 November-18 December 1775 at Charleston to consist of three companies from the greater Charleston area.
Adopted 18 June 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department. Re designated 18 October 1776 as the 4th Company, 4th South Carolina Regiment, and adopted into the Continental Army. Authorized 22 February 1776 in the South Carolina State Troops as the Georgetown Independent Company of Artillery. Organized in spring 1776 at Georgetown with personnel from Prince George, Winyah Parish. Re designated 18 October 1776 as the 5th Company, 4th South Carolina Regiment, and adopted into the Continental Army.
ENGAGEMENTS: Charleston 1775-1776, Savannah, Charleston 1780, Detachments additionally served in the following: Southern Highlands, Florida 1778 *This company is perpetuated by the 263d Air Defense Artillery and Detachment I, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 713th Cavalry, South Carolina Army National Guard.
5th SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT (1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment) Authorized 22 February 1776 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 5th South Carolina Regiment. Organized in spring 1776 at Charleston to consist of seven companies from eastern and northern South Carolina.
Adopted 25 March 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department.
ENGAGEMENTS: Charleston 1775-1776, Savannah, Elements additionally served in: Florida
6th SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT (2d South Carolina Rifle Regiment) Authorized 28 February 1776 in the South Carolina State Troops as the 6th South Carolina Regiment. Organized in spring 1776 at Charleston to consist of five companies from northwestern South Carolina.
Adopted 25 March 1776 into the Continental Army and assigned to the Southern Department.
ENGAGEMENTS: Charleston 1775-1776, Cherokees 1776, Florida, 1778 Savannah