Confederate Dead Memorial Enclosure	Original Memorial Marker for Confederate Dead	Individual Grave Markers for Confederate Dead	Lt. Simeon S. Kirby Grave Marker	Wayside Exhibit #1 Battle Site Entrance
Wayside Exhibit #2 Rivers Bridge Causeway Roadbed	Rivers Bridge Causeway Roadbed	Wayside Exhibit #3 Confederate Breastwork	Left Flank Confederate Breastwork	View along Confederate Breastwork form Causeway
Confederate Breastwork from Rivers Bridge Site	Rivers Bridge Site	Salkehatchie Swamp	Confederate Breastwork from edge of Salkehatchie Swamp	Right Flank Confederate Breastwork
Wayside Exhibit #4 Confederate Right Flank	Salkehatchie Swamp Route of Union Advance on Confederate Right Flank	Center of Confederate Breastwork Artillery Position

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.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

Images and texts on these pages are intended for research or educational use. Please read our statement on use and reproduction for further information on how to obtain a photocopy or how to cite an item.