They were from the state of South Carolina and served at various times in both the Eastern and Western theaters.

This unit was originally called the 16th Battalion South Carolina Partisan Rangers – Aiken's Regiment, the 1st Reg.

The men were formally mustered into Confederate service as the 16th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry on July 23, 1862.

Assigned to General Matthew C. Butler's brigade, the regiment participated in the Wilderness and Cold Harbor operations and in various conflicts south of the James River.

The depleted regiment surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Bennett Place in North Carolina.