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Charlestonians in War: The Charleston Battalion
written by W. Chris Phelps
Studio : Pelican Publishing Company
by Pelican Publishing Company
Publisher : Pelican Publishing Company
Released : 2004-08
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781589801660
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 2 reviews)
List Price : $22.00
Our Price : $16.02
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Product Description |
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The Charleston Battalion was a well-known Confederate unit active in many of the major Civil War engagements. It was as important to Charleston during the Civil War as the Washington Artillery was to New Orleans, and many descendents of this battalion still live in South Carolina. By far the definitive work on this unit, this book examines the unit's prominent members, uniforms, flags, battles, casualties, and more. |
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Valiant Charlestonians |
In this fascinating and succinct book "Charlestonians in War: The Charleston Battalion," W. Chris Phelps records the history of a Confederate unit that was central to the defense of Charleston: the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Battalion, usually known simply as the Charleston Battalion. Mr. Phelps ably describes the battalion's brave and pivotal role in several key battles in the Charleston area. He also lays out the unusual composition of the battalion and its constituent companies, including the Charleston Light Infantry, the Irish Volunteers, the Sumter Guards and the German Fusiliers. Mr. Phelps writes that more than a few of the battalion's privates were well-to-do lawyers and businessmen. That fact called for a firm and capable leader, which they had in the person of Lt. Col. Peter C. Gaillard, a Charlestonian West Pointer turned businessman, who was in command throughout the battalion's existence.
The Charleston Battalion played a key role in repelling a Union thrust against Charleston at nearby Secessionville, SC in June 1862 and it repeatedly defended Fort Sumter, the keystone of Charleston's defenses. The battalion bore the brunt of the famous July 18, 1863 attack on Battery Wagner, which was led by the black 54th Massachusetts. Inside the fortification, the Charleston Battalion withstood an 11-hour close-range bombardment by Union ironclads; during the infantry assault, its executive officer and the Irish Volunteers' company commander were among those killed in the intense combat. Mr. Phelps continues the narrative through the battalion's consolidation with another unit to form the 27th SC Infantry Regiment. The new regiment was assigned to Lee's Army where it fought several engagements in the Richmond-Petersburg area, again proving its valor and suffering heavy losses. At several points in its service, Mr. Phelps points out that the battalion's companies often mustered no more than platoon strength in modern terms. In the last chapter, Mr. Phelps follows representative members of the Charleston Battalion into the post-war era with thumbnail sketches of their later lives.
An appendix listing the battalion's members and casualty lists for several battles are among the products of the author's extensive and detailed research. My only quibble is that the format of the book made some of the maps difficult to read but reading the book in conjunction with any good Civil War atlas will solve that minor problem. That my great-grandfather enlisted in the battalion's Irish Volunteer company only added to my interest in the book but any student of the Civil War or, more generally, Charleston's role in Southern history will find the book an excellent account of a remarkable unit.
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The few, the proud, the Charlestonians! |
The Charleston Battalion was first organized in 1860 and began with six independent companies of militia volunteers. In February, 1862, these six companies, Company A ("The Charleston Riflemen"), Company B ("The Charleston Light Infantry"), Company C ("The Irish Volunteers"), Company D ("The Sumter Guards"), Company E ("The Calhoun Guards"), and Company F (composed of both "The Union Light Infantry" and "The German Fusiliers"), were organized into the Charleston Battalion for one year's service in the Charleston area.
The battalion took part in the Battle of Secessionville (June 1862) and played a vital role in the defense of Battery Wagner (July 1863). The battalion also helped to repulse the daring but suicidal Union night attack on Fort Sumter. After three companies of South Carolina Sharpshooters were added to their ranks in the fall of 1863, the battalion was designated as the 27th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. In April, 1864, the regiment was sent to Petersburg, Virginia, where it took part in several battles, including the bloody Battle of Cold Harbor.
In December, 1864, it was sent to Wilmington, North Carolina, which at that time was one of the last ports still open to Confederate Blockade Runners. It took part in the Battle of Bentonville and was soon after surrendered and paroled with the rest of Gen. Joseph Johnston's army, which had been overwhelmed by Gen. Sherman's huge army. In this book there are several rosters which will be very helpful to researchers, including casualty lists for the battalion's/regiment's battles and skirmishes as well as the complete roster of the regiment. The author has written a superb history of this neglected Confederate unit and this book is an absolute must for any Civil War buff! |
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