Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

1st SC Infantry Of African Descent

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008

1. 1st SC Infantry Of African Descent Marker in its old location.

Inscription. The 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment was raised from sea island slaves living around Port Royal. Elements of the regiment were formed on Hilton Head in May 1862. In August 1862, the regiment was reorganized near Beaufort at the Smith plantation. It was commanded by the noted abolitionist Thomas W. Higginson who led the regiment on raids along the Georgia coast. On Jan. 1, 1863, the regiment was formaly mustered into the United States Army. The regiment saw extensive service on the South Carolina, Georgia and Florida Coasts. On Feb. 8, 1864, the regiment was redesignated as the 33rd Infantry Regiment of the United States Colored Troops. The Regiment assisted in the occupation of Charleston, Savannah, Augusta and other points until it was mustered out Jan. 31, 1866.

Erected by Historic Beaufort Foundation South Carolina.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1862.

Location. 32° 26.472′ N, 80° 41.867′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is on Boundary Street (Business U.S. 21) east of Hogarth Street,

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on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2248 Boundary St, Beaufort SC 29902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battery Saxton (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beaufort (approx. 0.7 miles away); Address by President Lincoln (approx. one mile away); Beaufort National Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 1.1 miles away); Re-interred 19 African-American Civil War Volunteers (approx. 1.1 miles away); Beaufort Historic District (approx. 1.2 miles away); Stephen Elliott Jr (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.

Also see . . .
1. 1st South Carolina Volunteers (Union), Wikipedia entry. It was composed of escaped slaves from South Carolina and Florida. (Submitted on March 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Union Regimental Histories. Organized at Beaufort, S.C (Submitted on March 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

3. Thomas Wentworth Higginson...Commander. (Submitted on March 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
4. Wikipedia Entry for the United States Colored Troops. The USCT were the forerunners of the famous Buffalo Soldiers. (Submitted on April 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

1st SC Infantry Of African Descent Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008

2. 1st SC Infantry Of African Descent Marker

5. Historic marker honoring first African American soldiers relocated in Beaufort. The marker was moved from near the entrance to the Beaufort National Cemetery to the First South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent Park, on Boundary Street, to make it more visible. (Submitted on May 27, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008

3. W.N.Reed

Lt. Col.
U.S.C.T.

C.J. Norcross image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008

4. C.J. Norcross

Asst. Surg.
U.S.C.T.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,947 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of marker in its new location near 2248 Boundary Street. • Can you help?