Ehrhardt in Bamberg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle At Rivers Bridge / Rivers Bridge Memorials
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 2008
1. Battle At Rivers Bridge Marker
On February 2 ~ 3, 1865, as Gen. W.T. Sherman's Federals advanced toward Columbia, units of Gen. F.P. Blair's XVII Corps attempted to cross the Salkehatchie River at Rivers Bridge. The Confederate defenders there, in Gen. Lafayette McLaws's division of the Dept. of S.C., Ga., and Fla., delayed the Federals for almost two days. Each side lost about 100 men killed, wounded, or captured.
Rivers Bridge Memorials
In 1876 local men reburied the Confederate dead in a mass grave a mile from the earthworks and formed the Rivers Bridge Confederate Memorial Association. Their annual services commemorate the battle and Southern dead. The Association preserved the battlefield and deeded 285 acres to the state in 1945 as Rivers Bridge State Park, now Rivers Bridge State Historic Site.
Erected 2004 by The Rivers Bridge Camp No. 842, Sons Of Confederate Veterans. (Marker Number 5-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1935.
Location. 33° 2.763′ N, 81°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rivers' Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ehrhardt.
Regarding Battle At Rivers Bridge / Rivers Bridge Memorials. Listed on the National Register. Here Confederate soldiers defended the Salkehatchie River for two days before being forced out of their breastworks. This battle was the only major resistance encountered by Sherman's army
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
2. Rivers Bridge Memorials Marker
Also see . . . Nomination for the National Register on Rivers Bridge State Park. As General William T. Sherman’s army advanced into South Carolina from Savannah, the Confederate Army was able to offer up little resistance and eventually fell back to Rivers Bridge by February 2, 1865. (Submitted on September 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Battle At Rivers Bridge / Rivers Bridge Memorials Marker
Looking Northward into heavy marshes
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Battle At Rivers Bridge Marker, looking west down Confederate Highway
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,793 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
