During the Reconstruction it existed as rifle clubs and following the readmission of South Carolina to the United States the regiment was reorganized as separate companies between 1875 and 1878.

On 9 January 1878 the separate companies became part of the 3rd Division, which was reorganized as the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the South Carolina Volunteers in 1883.

As a result of the United States' entry into World War I, the regiment was called up on 12 April 1917 and drafted into Federal service on 5 August 1917.

[1] Postwar, when the National Guard was reformed, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 118th were withdrawn from the latter and reorganized as the 218th Infantry Regiment, whose headquarters was Federally recognized on 3 February 1947 at Spartanburg.

The 3rd Battalion conducts ALC (Advanced Leader Course) and NCO (Non-commissioned officer) Academy training.