South Carolina 15th (Lucas') Battalion, Heavy Artillery
Historical Notes:
The 15th Battalion, South Carolina Artillery began it's organization in early 1861. It was also known as Lucas's Battalion, the 15th Heavy Artillery Battalion and the Dismounted Dragoons. The 15th Battalion actually was to be a unit of cavalry under Davie DeSaussure but there was a lack of funds to supply the unit. Desassure resigned and by June 1861, J.J. Lucas was appointed to take over the unit and it was mustered into Confederate service on June 6, 1861 as an infantry at Fort Pickens, James Island, on the Stono, near Charleston. But soon after this time, the unit was coverted to an artillery. It originally organized with two companies and a third joined a few months later (Companies A and B mustered into service on 6 June 1861 at James Island; C Company added on 15 November 1861, which was Captain Child's Company, South Carolina Light Artillery). Several other units were also attached to this battalion for short periods of time. In early 1865 the 15th Battalion was converted to an infantry and fought in the North Carolina Campaign under A. Rhett's Brigade. It surrendered with the Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865.
Officers:
Lucas, James J. - Major
Assignments:
Charleston Harbor
The Carolinas’ Campaign
Battles:
Capture of the U.S.S. Isaac Smith SC (30 JAN 1863)
Charleston Harbor (AUG - SEP 1863)
Battery Wagner (July 18, 1863)
Carolinas Campaign SC (FEB - APR 1865)
Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 774 men.
Company A - Some men probably came from Chester District (County)
Company B
Company C (also known as Captain Child's Light Artillery, Winder's Light Artillery)
Gist Guard Artillery (temporarily attached in 1862)
Historical Notes: