Battle Name: |
Rivers’ Bridge |
Other Names: |
Salkehatchie River, Hickory Hill, Owens’ Crossroads, Lawtonville, Duck Creek |
State: |
South Carolina |
Location: |
Bamberg County |
Campaign: |
Campaign of the Carolinas (February-April 1865) |
Dates: |
February 3, 1865 |
Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair [US]; Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
Divisions: 6,200 total (US 5,000; CS 1,200) |
Estimated Casualties: |
262 total (US 92; CS 170) |
Description: |
On February 2, a Confederate force under McLaws held the crossings of the Salkehatchie River
against the advance of the right wing of Sherman’s Army. Federal soldiers began building bridges across the
swamp to bypass the road block. In the meantime, Union columns worked to get on the Confederates’ flanks and
rear. On February 3, two Union brigades waded the swamp downstream and assaulted McLaws’s right. McLaws
retreated toward Branchville after stalling Sherman’s advance for only one day. |
Results: |
Union victory |