The South Carolina Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term "South Carolina Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to South Carolina at various times by the Continental Congress. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state.
Units belonging to the State Line
The following units belonged to the South Carolina State troops initially and were transferred to the Continental Army on the dates indicated. The original commanders, their ranks, and the dates the units were established and disbanded are included.
UnitDate establishedDisbandedContinental Line, DateOriginal Commander, RankRef1st Regiment (Infantry)June 6, 1775May 12, 1780Yes, November 4, 1775Christopher Gadsden, Col2nd Regiment (Infantry)June 6, 1775May 12, 1780November 4, 1775William Moultrie, Col3rd Regiment (Rangers)June 6, 1775May 12, 1780July 24, 1776William Thomson, LTC4th Regiment (Artillery)November 14, 1775May 12, 1780June 18, 1776Owen Roberts, LTC5th Regiment (Rifles)February 22, 1776Feb. 1780March 25, 1776Isaac Huger, Col6th Regiment (Rifles)February 28, 1776Feb. 1780March 25, 1776Thomas Sumter, LTC
All of the State Troops that became Continental Line were effectively decimated during the Siege of Charleston—either by action or by surrender on May 12, 1780.
Engagements Between July 1775 and May 1780, the six regiments participated in engagements in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
+ South Carolina Line Engagements by RegimentDateBattle/SkirmishState1st2nd3rd4th5th6thJul. 9, 1775Bloody PointSCx Jul. 12, 1775Fort CharlotteSC xSep. 15, 1775Fort JohnsonSCxxSep. 18, 1775Battle of Sullivan's IslandSCxxOct. 31, 1775Congaree RiverSC xNov. 3, 1775Mine CreekSCxNov. 11-12, 1775Hog Island ChannelSCxNov. 19-21, 1775Ninety-SixSCxDec. 22, 1775Battle of Great Cane BrakeSCxDec. 23-30, 1775Snow CampaignSC x Jun. 26, 1776Cherokee Indian TownsSC xJun. 28, 1776Breach Inlet Naval BattleSC x Jun. 28, 1776Fort MoultrieSCxJun. 28, 1776Battle of Fort Moultrie/Sullivan's IslandSCxxxxxJul. 15, 1776 Lyndley's FortSCxJul. 21, 1776Spencer's InletSCxAug. 1, 1776Seneca TownSCxxxAug. 8-11, 1776Cherokee TownsSC xxxAug. 10, 1776Tugaloo RiverSCxAug. 12, 1776TamasseeSCxxAug. 12, 1776The Ring FightSCxSep. 1776 St. Augustine ExpeditionFLxxSep. 19, 1776 Coweecho RiverNC xOct. 14, 1776Altamaha RiverGA x Feb. 23 - Mar. 15, 1777 Fort McIntoshGA xMar. 7, 1778BarbadosSCx May - July 1778Florida ExpeditionSC xDec. 29, 1778 SavannahGAxxxxJan. 6-10, 1779 Fort MorrisGA xxFeb. 1, 1779Fort LytteltonSC xFeb. 3, 1779Battle of Beaufort/Port Royal IslandSCxxxxxFeb. 21, 1779GeorgetownSCxMar. 3, 1779 Battle of Brier/Briar CreekGAx xx xMar. 6, 1779GeorgetownSCxApr. - Jul. 1779 Prevost's MarchSCxApr. - May, 1779 Prevost's March on CharlestonSCxApr. 19, 1779SavannahGAx Apr. 29, 1779PurrysburgSCxMay 1779Prevost's March on CharlestonSCxMay 3, 1779 CoosawhatchieSC xxxMay 11–13, 1779Charleston NeckSC x xx Jun. 20, 1779Battle of Stono FerrySCxxxxxJul. 21, 1779EbenezerGA xJul. 23, 1779Savannah RiverSCxSep. 16 - Oct. 18, 1779Siege of SavannahGAxxxxxxMar. 12, 1780Two Sisters' FerrySCxMar. 28 - May 12, 1780Siege of CharlestonSCxxxxMar. 29-30, 1780Gibbes' PlantationSCxApr. 8, 1780Sullivan's IslandSCxApr. 12, 1780Sullivan's IslandSCxApr. 25, 1780Sullivan's IslandSCxMay 2, 1780Haddrell's PointSCxMay 7, 1780Fort MoultrieSCx
See also List of South Carolina militia units in the American Revolution for a list of South Carolina militia and State troops.
References
Wright, Robert K. The Continental Army. Washington, D.C.: United States Army Center of Military History, 1983. Available TOC, Book. Bibliography of the Continental Army in South Carolina compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History