The 1864 Custom's of Service by General Augustus V. Kautz described the Cavalry soldier as one who "...should not exceed in weight one hundred and sixty pounds, should be active and strong, physically sound, with a natural fondness for horses and experience in handling them. His duties are more arduous and severe than those of the footman. His first care should be his horse at all times. The two are inseparable, and one is of little account without the other. A dismounted cavalry soldier, leading a broken-down horse and trudging wearily along in the rear of the column, is a pitiable and ridiculous sight; whilst the perfect cavalry soldier, neatly dressed, arms and accoutrements in perfect order, his horse well fed and thoroughly groomed, and riding with ease, grace, and self-possession, is always an object of admiration. The general duties of the cavalry soldier are the same as those of the infantry soldier, varying only on account of his horse and the difference in the character of the service."

The following information is on those Cavalry units raised with South Carolina Volunteers from 1861 to 1865, and mustered into the Confederate States or United States service for the war. If you have any additional information, corrections, photo's, artifacts, etc., that you would like to share please contact the Webmaster.