1st South Carolina / 33rd U.S. Colored Troops Records, [ca. 1847-1923, 1983]

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Summary

Creators:
United States. Army. Colored Infantry Regiment, 33rd (1864-1866) and Online Archive of California.
Abstract:
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, officer biographies, newspaper clippings, muster rolls, and other miscellany.
Extent:
1 linear ft.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:
Cite as: [Identification of item], 1st South Carolina/33rd U.S. Colored Troops Records, Wyles Mss 30, Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California Santa Barbara.

Background

Biographical / historical:

The First South Carolina Volunteer Infantry was first organized in the Department of the South by General David Hunter at Hilton Head, South Carolina, in May of 1862. This first effort to form a black regiment met with failure, initially due to two significant causes: first, Hunter had not received authorization from the War Department in Washington allowing the formation of Black Units, and Second, the recruits were involuntarily inducted into the regiment in a manner reminiscent of their days as slaves. As a result, the Regiment was ordered disbanded. Later, the First South Carolina was reorganized under General Rufus B. Saxon. Attempts to recruit troops from Hilton Head's African-American population were difficult at first due to the memory of the failed "Hunter Experiment." These obstacles were overcome and the first company was formed under the command of Captain C.T. Trowbridge.

On November 10, 1862, Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson assumed command of the 1st S.C. It was under Higginson's command that the 1st reached full strength and was drilled in fighting order. Higginson led the regiment on an expedition up the St. Mary's River along the Georgia-Florida state line. This expedition lasted from 23 January to 1 February 1863. One of the most significant actions the 1st participated in was the occupation of Jacksonville, Florida. In March of 1863, a squadron of five steamboats made their way up the St. Johns River with the 1st S.C. and 2nd S.C. Volunteer Infantry on board. On March 10, the forces occupied Jacksonville with no resistance.

On February 8, 1864, the regiment was redesignated the 33rd United States Colored Troops. Combined with two other regiments (one white and one black), the 33rd made their first assault on a fortification at Battery Gregg on James Island, in Charleston. The combined forces began their attack on July 2nd, 1864 and captured the fort that day. In December 1864, the 33rd participated with the 55th Massachusetts at the Battle of Honey Hill, a costly defeat for federal forces. In the final year of their service, the 1st S.C. was part of the union garrison of Savannah and Charleston. They mustered out of service on February 9, 1866 at Fort Wagner, above the graves of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the 54th Massachusetts.

Acquisition information:

Acquisition Information: Purchase, 1966, and ca. 1983-1984.

Acquisition Information: Purchase, 1966, and ca. 1983-1984.

Arrangement:
Arranged by subject: original materials, reference materials, and oversize.
Physical description:
1 linear ft. (1 document boxes and 4 map folders)
Note:

Use of the collection is unrestricted.

Finding aid available in the Department of Special Collections.

Access and use

Restrictions:
Use of the collection is unrestricted.
Terms of access:
Use governed by UCSB Special Collections' policy.
Preferred citation:
Cite as: [Identification of item], 1st South Carolina/33rd U.S. Colored Troops Records, Wyles Mss 30, Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California Santa Barbara.
Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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