Rivers Bridge State Park

National Register Listing

Street Address:

6 mi. SW of Ehrhardt, SC (Bamberg County)

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NRHP Nomination Form

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Record Number:

S10817705007

Description and Narrative:

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. Although they crossed the Salkahatchie River, they were unable to burn the approaches or the main bridge. At this point the Salkahatchie was a dense swamp about a mile and one-half wide, and the approach to the main bridge was over a narrow causeway commanded by elements of General Lafayette McLaw's Division, numbering about 1,200 men. The strength of the Confederate position was disregarded and Sherman's men were ordered to advance across the causeway without stopping. Behind breastworks, Confederate artillery repulsed the advance. For two days, the Confederates were able to delay the Union troops. The engagement ended as the Union army cut two roads through the swamp while continuing its frontal attack, outflanking the Confederates and forcing them to withdraw. The Confederate earthen breastworks remain in an excellent state of preservation and several Civil War artifacts have been found at the site. Listed in the National Register February 23, 1972.

Period of Significance:

1865;19th century

Level of Significance:

State

Area of Significance:

Military;Education

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

1972-02-23

Date of Boundary Increase:

No Boundary Increase

Location:

Bamberg County;Ehrhardt

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