Sea Fencibles - Civil War

Civil War

There were sea fencibles in the Confederate Army in Charleston. John Symon started a unit known as 'Symon's Sea Fencibles,' which was a land based unit used for coastal surveillance. There is no record of this unit ever fighting, but it is assumed they later joined other Confederate units after dissolving. They would most likely have worn civilian clothing. Surprisingly, the group had a Hispanic officer, which was not characteristic of most Confederate units. Many of the Fencibles were disgruntled because they wanted the $15 pay offered by the Union Navy, but only received the $11 pay of the Confederates. Thus, by the end of 1861, the unit was disbanded. These fencibles later joined other local units.