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CHAPTER II

Enrollment of troops.

Troops Gathered at Charleston—­First Service as a Volunteer.

The Legislature, immediately after the passage of the ordinance of secession, authorized the Governor to organize ten regiments of infantry for State service.  Some of these regiments were enlisted for twelve months, while Gregg’s, the First, was for six, of, as it was understood at the time, its main duties were the taking of Sumter.  The first regiments so formed were:  First, Gregg’s; Second, Kershaw’s; Third, Williams’; Fourth, Sloan’s; Fifth, Jenkins’; Sixth, Rion’s; Seventh, Bacon’s:  Eighth, Cash’s; Ninth, Blanding’s; besides a regiment of regulars and some artillery and cavalry companies.  There existed a nominal militia in the State, and numbered by battalions and regiments.  These met every three months by companies and made some feeble attempts at drilling, or “mustering,” as it was called.  To the militia was intrusted the care of internal police of the State.  Each company was divided into squads, with a captain, whose duties were to do the policing of the neighborhood, called “patrolling.”  They would patrol the country during Sundays, and occasionally at nights, to prevent illegal assemblies of negroes, and also to prevent them from being at large without permission of their masters.  But this system had dwindled down to a farce, and was only engaged in by some of the youngsters, more in a spirit of fun and frolic than to keep order in the neighborhood.  The real duties of the militia of the State consisted of an annual battalion and regimental parade, called “battalion muster” and “general muster.”  This occasioned a lively turn-out of the people, both ladies and gentlemen, not connected with the troops, to witness the display of officers’ uniforms, and bright caparisoned steeds, the stately tread of the “muster men,” listen to the rattle of the drums and inspiring strains of the fifes, and horns of the rural bands.

From each battalion a company was formed for State service.  These companies elected their captains and field officers, the general officers being appointed by the Governor.  Immediately after the call of the Governor for troops, a great military spirit swept the country, volunteer companies sprang up like magic all over the land, each anxious to enter the service of the State and share the honor of going to war.  Up to this time, few thought, there would be a conflict.  Major Anderson, U.S.A., then on garrison duty at Fort Moultrie, heard of the secession of the State, and (whether by orders or his own volition, is not known and immaterial,) left Fort Moultrie, after spiking the guns and destroying the carriages; took possession of Fort Sumter.  The State government looked with some apprehension upon this questionable act of Maj.  Anderson’s.  Fort Sumter stood upon grounds of the State, ceded to the United States for purposes of defence.  South Carolina now claimed the property, and made demands upon Maj.  Anderson and the government at Washington for its restoration.  This was refused.