Ehrhardt in Bamberg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Our Confederate Dead
Rivers Bridge State Park
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 2009
1. Our Confederate Dead Marker
Most of the Confederates killed here were Georgians, and most were unknown when they were reburied. But the local community remembered them as "our Confederate dead," the fallen heroes of a common cause. The monument placed over their mass grave in 1878 resembled a large tombstone, reflecting the grief of a region coming to terms with death and defeat. It became the focal point for remembering the dead and vindicating their cause at the annual memorial services.
" In no other war in all the history of mankind has the glory of vanquished equalled in enduring fame the acclaim won by the victor."
-Dr. James C. Kinard, Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Service, May 9, 1941
Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1865.
Location. 33° 3.728′ N, 81° 5.319′ W. Marker is in Ehrhardt, South Carolina, in Bamberg County. It can be reached from Rivers Bridge State Park near SC-S-5-8. At Memorial Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ehrhardt SC 29081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rivers Bridge Confederate Dead (a few steps from this
this page online
Regarding Our Confederate Dead. A photo of the memorial on the marker is captioned: The memorial service at Rivers Bridge ends as it has in years past, with flowers decorating the mass grave.
"And then the gentle bands of fair woman placed pure flowers upon the graves of the gallant boys in gray."
- The Barnwell People, May 1, 1884
Background photo courtesy of The Post and Courier
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 2009
2. Our Confederate Dead Memorial Cemetery
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009
3. Our Confederate Dead
of our
Confederate Dead
who fell in battle at
River's Bridges
Feb. 4, 1865.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009
4. Our Confederate Dead 10 headstones
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,978 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
