During the American Civil War, as the Union Army advanced through South Carolina, hundreds of enslaved men from
areas including Williamsburg, Georgetown, and Charleston Counties, as well as other parts of the Lowcountry and
Pee Dee regions, took the momentous step of self-emancipation by fleeing to Union lines and enlisting in the United
States Army.
One such unit formed from these brave men was the 104th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). This
regiment was officially organized at Beaufort, South Carolina, between April 28th and June 25th, 1865. Following
their service in the Civil War, many of these veterans, along with their dependent family members, later applied for
pensions in recognition of their military contributions.
Information contained in Pension Applications provide a wealth of information about the lives of these former service
members.

Thus far we have identified Squire Washington, Antrim Shaw aka Anthony Tisdale and James Manigault as having served in the 104th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the civil war.

Private Squire Washington served in Company E of the 104th Regiment

He applied for and was awarded a pension for his service and after his death his wife Caroline applied for a widow’s
pension. Affidavits of two others from the transportation list reveal details of their trip to Texas.

Pension application affidavits of William and wife Bettie Pendergrass stating Squire and Caroline Washington’s origins in South Carolina, transportation by boat from Kingstree to Texas and how long they have known both individuals.

William Pendergrass who also came with the group from Kingstree to Texas provided testimony sharing his knowledge of Squire and Carolina Washington in their Civil War Pension Application.
Bettie Pendergrass who also came with the group from Kingstree to Texas provided testimony sharing her knowledge of Squire and Carolina Washington in their Civil War Pension Application

More to come…