2nd South Carolina Regiment
2nd South Carolina Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1775-1783 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | South Carolina |
Branch | Continental Army |
Type | Regiment |
Role | Infantry |
Part of | South Carolina Line |
Engagements | Savannah and Charleston |
The 2nd South Carolina Regiment was raised on June 6, 1775, at Charleston, South Carolina, for service with the Continental Army.
At organization the regiment consisted of 10 companies from eastern South Carolina. On November 4th, 1775 the regiment was adopted by the Continental Army, and on February 27th, 1776 it was assigned to the Southern Department. On November 23rd, 1776 the regiment was assigned to the 2nd South Carolina Brigade, Southern Department, and was relieved on the 26th of August 1778 and placed in the 1st South Carolina Brigade, and again moved to McIntosh's Brigade on June 15th, 1779 and then moved to Huger's Brigade on September 14th, 1779. On February 11th, 1780 it was consolidated with the 6th South Carolina Regiment.
It was the main unit involved in the successful defense of Fort Moultrie at the Battle of Sullivan's Island. This battle saved Charleston from invasion for the next several years, and handed the British fleet their first loss in over a century. When the flag designed by the fort's commander, Colonel William Moultrie, was shot down, one of the regiment, William Jasper, grabbed it and held it aloft, rallying the troops until a stand could be provided.
This battle was vital to the entire war, and became symbolic of liberty in South Carolina. Its date is known as Carolina Day in the state, and the palmetto logs the regiment used for the fortress were added to the Moultrie Flag used to rally the troops, creating the Flag of South Carolina.
The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured by the British Army at Charleston on May 12, 1780, together with the rest of the Southern Department. The regiment was disbanded on November 15, 1783.
External links
- The 2nd Regiment South Carolina, Continental Establishment
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in South Carolina compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
http://sciway3.net/proctor/marion/military/revwar/RevWarSC_regiments.html#second