Charlestonians In War: The Charleston Battalion [Hardcover]

W. Phelps (Author), Joseph Riley Jr. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2004

Explores the formation and the many campaigns of this diverse group of Charleston citizens, led by Peter Charles Gaillard. Foreword by Charlestonís mayor, Joseph Riley, Jr.

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From the Inside Flap

Charleston, South Carolina, has always celebrated its history. Once the wealthiest-per-capita city in the nation, it was the place where the Civil War began, when secessionists fired on the Federally held Fort Sumter. Heeding their city's motto, "Regard our buildings, customs, and laws," modern Charlestonians preserve this unique heritage by vigilantly protecting their neighborhoods from both urban decay and unconsidered modernization. This devotion to the civil cause has roots deep in Charleston's past. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Charleston, as the site where the Ordinance of Secession was signed, faced the full wrath of Union forces. In response, the Charleston Battalion, comprised of volunteers from all strata of local society, formed a loyal, effective fighting unit. They served with distinction in several campaigns in Virginia and North Carolina and defended their hometown against Union invaders. Through Charlestonians in War, these brave men finally receive their due. W. Chris Phelps describes the origins of the battalion and focuses on its capable commander, Peter Charles Gaillard, who later became mayor. In-depth studies of the battalion's various battles, at home and away, are also included.

From the Back Cover

"In Charlestonians in War: The Charleston Battalion, Chris Phelps has crafted an excellent study of this noteworthy Confederate military organization. Making extensive use of primary sources, he has deftly balanced operational details with social background and created a unit history that would be of interest to scholars and general readers." --W. Eric Emerson, executive director, South Carolina Historical Society Local author W. Chris Phelps explores the formation and the many campaigns of this diverse group of Charleston citizens led by Peter Charles Gaillard. The battalion distinguished itself by defeating overwhelming Union assaults against Charleston at Secessionville in 1862 and Battery Wagner in 1863 and later performed gallantly in the defense of Petersburg in 1864 and Wilmington in 1865. This book features a foreword by Charleston's mayor, Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589801660
• ISBN-13: 978-1589801660
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,611,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valiant Charlestonians, October 17, 2005

By 

Aloysius Oneill (Vienna, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charlestonians In War: The Charleston Battalion (Hardcover)

In this fascinating and succinct book "Charlestonians in War: The Charleston Battalion," W. Chris Phelps records the history of a Confederate unit that was central to the defense of Charleston: the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Battalion, usually known simply as the Charleston Battalion. Mr. Phelps ably describes the battalion's brave and pivotal role in several key battles in the Charleston area. He also lays out the unusual composition of the battalion and its constituent companies, including the Charleston Light Infantry, the Irish Volunteers, the Sumter Guards and the German Fusiliers. Mr. Phelps writes that more than a few of the battalion's privates were well-to-do lawyers and businessmen. That fact called for a firm and capable leader, which they had in the person of Lt. Col. Peter C. Gaillard, a Charlestonian West Pointer turned businessman, who was in command throughout the battalion's existence.

The Charleston Battalion played a key role in repelling a Union thrust against Charleston at nearby Secessionville, SC in June 1862 and it repeatedly defended Fort Sumter, the keystone of Charleston's defenses. The battalion bore the brunt of the famous July 18, 1863 attack on Battery Wagner, which was led by the black 54th Massachusetts. Inside the fortification, the Charleston Battalion withstood an 11-hour close-range bombardment by Union ironclads; during the infantry assault, its executive officer and the Irish Volunteers' company commander were among those killed in the intense combat. Mr. Phelps continues the narrative through the battalion's consolidation with another unit to form the 27th SC Infantry Regiment. The new regiment was assigned to Lee's Army where it fought several engagements in the Richmond-Petersburg area, again proving its valor and suffering heavy losses. At several points in its service, Mr. Phelps points out that the battalion's companies often mustered no more than platoon strength in modern terms. In the last chapter, Mr. Phelps follows representative members of the Charleston Battalion into the post-war era with thumbnail sketches of their later lives.

An appendix listing the battalion's members and casualty lists for several battles are among the products of the author's extensive and detailed research. My only quibble is that the format of the book made some of the maps difficult to read but reading the book in conjunction with any good Civil War atlas will solve that minor problem. That my great-grandfather enlisted in the battalion's Irish Volunteer company only added to my interest in the book but any student of the Civil War or, more generally, Charleston's role in Southern history will find the book an excellent account of a remarkable unit.