South Carolina 26th Infantry Regiment
Historical Notes:
The 26th was made up from a consolidation of the 6th and 9th Infantry Battalions in late 1862 because the two battalions were essentially wiped out in that first summer of fighting in Virginia.
The 26th was organized at Charleston, South Carolina, in September, 1862. After serving in South Carolina it moved to Mississippi, was placed in N.G. Evans' Brigade, and confronted the Federals at Jackson. Later the regiment returned to Charleston, then in the spring of 1864 was sent to Virginia. Here it was assigned to Elliott's and Wallace's Brigade. It participated in the long Petersburg siege south and north of the James River and ended the war at Appomattox. In October, 1863, there were 343 men present for duty. The 26th suffered their greatest single battle loss at the Mine Explosion, July 30, 1864 when they lost 72 men. They lost many more at Sayler's Creek, and surrendered with 8 officers and 113 men.
Officers:
Colonel:
Alexander D. Smith
Lieutenant Colonels:
Stephen D. M. Byrd
Joshua H. Hudson
Majors:
Ceth S. Land
Cornelius D. Rowell
Assignments:
N. G. Evans' Brigade
Elliott's and Wallace's Brigade.
Battles:
Jackson Siege MS (JUL 1863)
Charleston Harbor (AUG - SEP 1863)
Bermuda Hundred (17 MAY - 16 JUN 1864)
Petersburg Siege VA (JUN 1864 - APR 1865)
The Crater (30 JUL 1864)
Ft. Stedman (25 MAR 1865)
Five Forks VA (1 APR 1865)
Appomattox Court House VA (9 APR 1865)
Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1918 men.
A Company - Captain Samuel Smart; Captain Henry L. Buck
B Company - Captain John A. Evans
C Company - (also knon as Trenholm Rifles): Captain C.D. Roswell; Captain Henry M. Lofton; Captain R.H. Rogers
D Company - many men from Marlboro District (County): Captain A.D. Smith; Captain Washington W. Davis; Captain Alex E. Bristow; Captain Harris Covington
E Company - Captain John J. Best; Captain Edward Bostick
F Company - Captain Neil F. Graham; Captain Smilie Wadsworth; Captain Wm. P. Kirkley
G Company - Captain R.D.F. Rollins; Captain Daniel W. Carter
H Company - (also known as Chesnut Guards): Captain Henry S. Dickinson
I Company - (also known as Kickapoo Riflemen): Captain C.S. Land
K Company - (also known as Eutaw Riflemen): Captain Levi Grainger; Captain L. Dow Graham; Captain George B. Congdon; Captain B. Lewis Beaty
Bibliography for Research:
The 26th was organized at Charleston, South Carolina, in September, 1862. After serving in South Carolina it moved to Mississippi, was placed in N.G. Evans' Brigade, and confronted the Federals at Jackson. Later the regiment returned to Charleston, then in the spring of 1864 was sent to Virginia. Here it was assigned to Elliott's and Wallace's Brigade. It participated in the long Petersburg siege south and north of the James River and ended the war at Appomattox. In October, 1863, there were 343 men present for duty. The 26th suffered their greatest single battle loss at the Mine Explosion, July 30, 1864 when they lost 72 men. They lost many more at Sayler's Creek, and surrendered with 8 officers and 113 men.
Alexander D. Smith
Lieutenant Colonels:
Stephen D. M. Byrd
Joshua H. Hudson
Majors:
Ceth S. Land
Cornelius D. Rowell
Elliott's and Wallace's Brigade.
Charleston Harbor (AUG - SEP 1863)
Bermuda Hundred (17 MAY - 16 JUN 1864)
Petersburg Siege VA (JUN 1864 - APR 1865)
The Crater (30 JUL 1864)
Ft. Stedman (25 MAR 1865)
Five Forks VA (1 APR 1865)
Appomattox Court House VA (9 APR 1865)