Historical Notes:
South Carolina 2nd Infantry Regiment (Union) was also known as the 34th Infantry U.S. Colored Troops. The regiment, accompanied by Harriet Tubman, participated in the Raid at Combahee Ferry in which roughly 800 slaves were freed. It gained notoriety among certain quarters for its actions during the controversial looting and burning of the pro-Confederate town of Darien, Georgia. The regiment and its role in burning Darien are featured in the 1989 Civil War film Glory.
Officers:
Col. James Montgomery
Assignments:
Attached to Montgomery's Brigade, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, February, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Vogdes' Division, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to April, 1864. Morris Island, S.C., Northern District, Dept. of the South, to June, 1864. District of Beaufort, S.C., Dept. of the South, to August, 1864. District of Florida, Dept. of the South, to October, 1864. 4th Separate Brigade, Dept. of the South, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Coast Division, Dept. of the South, to January, 1865. 4th Separate Brigade, District of Florida, Dept. of the South, and Dept. of Florida, to February, 1866.
Service:
Provost duty at Jacksonville, Fla., until March 30, 1864. Moved to Palatka, Fla., March 30-31, and to Picolata April 12. Ordered to Folly Island, S.C., April 13, thence to Morris Island, S.C., and duty there, operating against Charleston until May 20. Moved to St. Augustine, Fla., May 20, thence to Tybee Island, S.C., May 22. Expedition to Ashepoo River May 24-27. Action at Ashepoo River May 26. Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., June 30. Expedition to James Island, S.C., July 1-10. Near Winter's Point July 3. King's Creek July 3. Actions on James Island July 3 and 9-10. Burden's Causeway July 9. Return to Jacksonville, Fla., July 31. Expedition to Enterprise August 2-5. Raid on Florida Railroad August 15-18. Action at Gainesville August 17. Duty at Jacksonville, Palatka and Magnolia Springs, Fla., until November. Ordered to Hilton Head, S.C., November 25. Expedition to Boyd's Neck, S.C., November 28-30. Battle of Honey Hill November 30. Expedition to Devaux's Neck December 1-6. Action at Devaux's Neck December 6. Moved to Hilton Head, thence return to Jacksonville, Fla., January, 1865. Duty at Jacksonville and at various points in Florida until February, 1866. Mustered out February 28, 1866.
Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1542 men.