Near Ehrhardt in Bamberg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Battle of Rivers' Bridge

Feb. 2-3, 1865

A Vulnerable Stronghold Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 2008

1. A Vulnerable Stronghold Marker

Inscription. A Vulnerable Stronghold

The Confederates were confident they could stop another head-on Union assault. But they feared for the safety of their flanks, knowing they did not have enough men to resist attacks that might strike the ends of their thin line.

"I can hold my position here, General, until next Christmas if you can keep them off my flanks."
-Lt.Col. Edwin H. Bacon, 32nd Georgia Infantry, to Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Feb. 3, 1865

Abatis bristled from the front of the Confederate fortifications. A crude obstacle of sharpened and intertwined tree branches, abatis stopped attackers and brought them under murderous, close- range gunfire.

Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1865.

Location. 33° 3.185′ N, 81° 5.951′ W. Marker is near Ehrhardt, South Carolina, in Bamberg County. Marker can be reached from SC-S-5-8, on the right when traveling south. Located in the Rivers Bridge State Park, a mile south of SC-S-5-31. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ehrhardt SC 29081, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ehrhardt.

Regarding Battle of Rivers' Bridge. On the upper right is a portrait of "A splendid officer," Lt.Col. Edwin H. Bacon commanded
the outnumbered forces at Rivers Bridge.(Portrait courtesy of Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon Skinner.) Beside it is a drawing of the Bacon and McLaws coordinating on the battlefield.

In the center is an illustration by Dan Bell showing the profile of the earthworks, complete with the abatis. The lower portion of the marker is a In 1865,
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

2. A Vulnerable Stronghold Marker
the vista before you looked more like this. Fresh earthworks on the bluff and felled trees and abatis below made this spot appear very forbidding to attackers. Gen. Howard called Rivers Bridge "the strongest position I ever saw in my life."

A Vulnerable Stronghold image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

3. A Vulnerable Stronghold

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,615 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.