South Carolinians are fiercely loyal to our elders and ancestors. So why not take a day trip over to Ehrhardt to walk in the footprints of both Union and Confederate soldiers in one of the last Confederate stands against the Union army in the Civil War? Even if your family wasn’t in the states during this conflict, you’ll still feel the rich heritage of the most well-preserved Civil War battlefield in South Carolina.
The Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site (also known as Rivers Bridge State Park) preserves the battlefield of one of the last Confederate stands against the Union army.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the historic site is now the only preserved battlefield under the stewardship of the state parks service.
It was here, in 1865, that Sherman's forces marched from Savannah and upon encountering about 1,200 Confederate soldiers at this site, managed to outflank them and force a withdrawl.
A 0.75-mile path, called the Battlefield Trail, circles the battlefield offering interpretive signage explaining the significance of various points of interest.
Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset. Admission is free. Saturday tours cost $5 for adults and $2.50 for South Carolina senior residents. Dogs are allowed, provided they’re on a leash no longer than six feet.