12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Descendants Association
(McGowan's Brigade)

Participants in the Breakthrough Battle at Petersburg on April 2, 1865
Fought on or near the present day grounds of Pamplin Historical Park
The 12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment completed its organization in July, 1861, at Lightwoodknot Springs, near Columbia, South Carolina. The men were raised in the counties of Oconee, York, Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield. It served on the South Carolina coast near Pocotaligo, then in April, 1862, moved to Virginia. Assigned to General Gregg's and McGowan's Brigade, the regiment fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days' Battles to Fredericksburg. During the Chancellorsville operations the 12th was detached to guard ordinance trains and prisoners. With 340 men it marched 2,000 Federals to Richmond. Later the unit rejoined the brigade and continued the conflict from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor, then saw action in the Petersburg trenches and the Appomattox Campaign. It lost 17 killed and 121 wounded at Gaines' Mill, fifty-four percent of 270 at Second Manassas, 20 killed and 82 wounded at Sharpsburg, and thirty-six percent of the 366 at Gettysburg. The regiment sustained 102 casualties at The Wilderness, 118 at Spotsylvania, 34 from May 12 to July 1, 1864, 18 at Deep Bottom, 26 at Fussell's Mill, and 23 at Poplar Springs Church. It surrendered 10 officers and 149 men. The field officers were Colonels Dixon Barnes, Edwin F. Bookter, Richard G.M. Dunovant, Cadwalader Jones, and John L. Miller; and Lieutenant Colonels T. Frank Clyburn, Henry C. Davis, and William H. McCorkle.
Soldier's Notes
12th South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Descendants Roll Call
If you are a descendant or family member of a soldier of the 12th South Carolina Infantry who served honorably at any time during the war and would like to be listed on the Descendants Roll Call, please send an e-mail by clicking the mail icon below. Type "12th SC" in subject line and provide details in the message.
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Not For Fame Or Reward
Not For Place Or For Rank
Not Lured By Ambition
Or Goaded By Necessity
But In Simple
Obedience To Duty
As They Understood It
These Men Suffered All - Sacrificed All
Dared all - And Died
Inscription written by Dr. Randolph Harrison McKim and carved
on the north side of the Confederate Memorial (sculpted by Moses Ezekiel)
at Arlington National Cemetery
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The Remembrance Wall
At The National Museum Of The Civil War Soldier
Another Great Way To Honor The Memory Of Your American Soldier
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Important Links
Pamplin Historical Park & National Museum of the Civil War Soldier
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Telling Their Story ... A Young Man Embraces His Confederate Heritage
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Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones |
The Final Battles of the Petersburg Campaign by A. Wilson Greene
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Ordering Service & Pension Records National Archives
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