It's been awhile since I researched the late war militia units, but I believe that references can be found in the SC Adjutant & Inspector General's Order and Letterbook, 1862-1864, in the SC Archives. As I recall, there were some specific orders to the head of the Columbia Arsenal to issue Morse Carbines and ammunition to W. F. Percival's Co. (Aiken Mounted Rangers), and maybe some others. I also seem to recall a proclamation issued by M. L. Bonham in the fall of 1864, in response to Sherman's advance, calling on all able bodied men in the state to form themselves into mounted organizations and promising to arm them with carbines of the latest design. After three years of war, I suspect it would have been more accurate of the governor to address his proclamation to "warm bodied," rather than "able bodied" men.

Hope this helps.

Fred Knudsen
Columbia, SC