DeSAUSSURE'S CAVALRY SQUADRONSouth Carolina Volunteers, January 28th to June 6th, 1861
The following historical information is about the service of both the battalion, and the men, of DeSausssure's South Carolina Volunteer Cavalry Squadron, which served in the American Civil War from January 28th to June 6th, 1861. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or additional information, photographs, artifacts, etc., that you wish to contribute, feel free to submit the information to the Webmaster.
 |
Did you find this website helpful?Would you like to support the S.C. Volunteer Archives?Visit our Store Front at theRIFLEMEN'S WORKSHOPAnd get yourself a shirtto show your Regimental Pride and Support for this site! |
 |
January to June 1861: Department of South Carolina
January 28th, 1861: The Squadron is authorized by an Act of the State Legislature creating a Regiment of Infantry, a Battalion of Artillery and a Squadron of Cavalry for three years' service. The Squadron is organized at Charleston, South Carolina, and placed under the command of Major William Davie DeSaussure, it would be composed to two (2) companies of cavalry.
February 6th, 1861: The Squadron officers recieve their appointments from the Governor.
March to April 1861: Served in the operations in and around Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, being stationed at Sullivan's Island.
May 17th, 1861: Due to the lack of funds and available supplies, the squadron is dismounted and designated as the "Squadron of Dismounted Dragoons."
June 6th, 1861: The Squadron is reorganized and mustered into Confederate States service as Companies A & B of Lucas's Battalion of South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (later the 15th Heavy Artillery Battalion). The reorganization was not without confusion; an order from the Governor disbanding the Squadron from State Service was read just prior to their being mustered into Confederate Service, as a result several members of Company B refused to do further duty, believing that they had been discharged, and were then placed under arrest by Lieutenant Langdon C. McCord, then commanding the Squadron.
Published Books & Documents
"Compendium of the Confederate Armies. South Carolina and Georgia." Stewart Sifakis, Facts on File, Inc., New York City, New York, 1995.
"Recollections and Reminiscences, 1861-1865, Thru World War I." South Carolina Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy; 1993.
"Report of the Historian of the Confederate Records to the General Assembly of South Carolina." John P. Thomas; The Bryan Printing Company, Columbia, South Carolina; 1900.
Pages 131 to 133, Volume IV (Statewide), "South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States." Robert S. Seigler, The History Press, Charleston, South Carolina, 2008.
Documents, Papers, & Non-Published Materials
Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Confederate Organizations. The National Archives Microfilm Publications. (Roll 43 (South Carolina - First Cavalry through Capt. Walpole's Company, Cavalry), Roll 45 (South Carolina - Seventh Cavalry, A-D), Roll 46 (South Carolina - Seventh Cavalry, E-L), Roll 47 (South Carolina - Seventh Cavalry, M-Sl) & Roll 48 (South Carolina - Seventh Cavalry, Sm-Y)
Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of South Carolina. NARA M267; National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
'Regular Service of South Carolina." (Article) "Keowee Courier." Pickens, South Carolina; February 16th, 1861.
|
