Civil War Letters: South Carolina

Civil War Letters: South Carolina


1st S.C. Infantry Confederate Report Concerning the Federal Bombardment of Fort Moultrie in November 1864 – “The parapet of Fort Moultrie was very much cut up by the fire of the enemy” – “Some portions of the external slope has slided”


U.S. Steamer Augusta Off Charleston, May 22nd, 1863 – Letter from Pardon Spencer – Great Description of the Union Ironclad “Little Monitors”, Capturing a “Contraband” & Chasing Blockade Runners. At Port Royal: “I saw one white woman the last time I was there. She had only one eye and perhaps a wooden leg.”

U.S. Steamer Augusta, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron Off Charleston, S.C. – Fighting the Confederate Ironclads Chicora & Palmetto State, “We received one 9 inch shell through our vessel… the shot and shell flew around us for a time.”

17th South Carolina Volunteers – Starting the Cadet Riflemen Company by Capt. William S. Elliott, June 18th, 1860 Charleston, S.C.

Letter by J. B. Witherspoon Phillips, Company A 18th Battalion, South Carolina Artillery – His Beautiful Uniform is Pictured All Over the Internet!



Famous Charleston Lawyer W. F. Colcock Describes Charleston’s Condition in January 1862



1861 Charleston Letter & Cover  – Talks of Getting Supplies through the Blockade!


Soldier in S.C. Militia Gives a Great Summary of Deteriorating Conditions in Charleston, S.C. – “I have but 2 shirts to my name at present, & they are on the eve of dissolution or secession to use the term applicable to the order of the day”

A Circuit Preacher who Regularly Preaches to the Warren Rifleman Asks General Beauregard for a “Passport” for the Manassas Gap Railroad – BEAUREGARD WRITES A NOTE ON THE REVERSE!

In Early War Charleston, S.C., Col. Lemuel M. Hatch of the South Carolina Militia Writes to Gen. Beauregard Regarding the North’s Preparations for War – Great Content!

War Date Letter from South Carolina General Wilmot Gibbes De Saussure – Written on Official State of South Carolina Executive Office Stationery – Docketed on the back by Governor Pickens

Palmetto Guard P. P. Gaillard Seeks Permission to Join the Palmetto Guard in Kershaw’s Regiment in Virginia

Letter – SOUTH CAROLINA ON THE EVE OF SECESSION – Edgefield District, S.C. Nov. 22, 1860 – Written to Future CS General Martin W. Gary

An Historic Document from Charleston, S.C. – Signed by Mayor Charles MacBeth, who Surrendered Charleston on Feb. 18th, 1865 to Lt. Col. A. G. Bennett of the 21st U.S. Colored Troops

The A.D.C. of General Beauregard, Joseph J. Legare, Writes the General from Charleston, S.C. on June 19th, 1861 – Beauregard is up at Manassas & Legare Sends some FASCINATING Information to him!

Setting Up Early Artillery Defenses Charleston October 1861

Shipping Arms from the Citadel in Charleston to the Arsenal in Columbia

N.B. Porter, President of the Senate Confirms Gen. Dunovant & Col. Ripley – Jan. 28, 1861

Amazing S.C. Letter Re. Secession – Can you help us figure out the S.C. town and who wrote it?

Arming & Equipping the S.C. Troops – October 1861

Order Given by Gen. Ripley Charleston July 23, 1863: Gen. DeSaussure S.C. militia will assume command of the troops in the city

War of 1812 – Ship Embargo in Charleston, S.C. May 20th, 1812

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