Battle of Rivers' Bridge
Feb. 2-3, 1865
"This Indescribably Ugly Salkehatchie "
At Rivers Bridge the Salkehatchie flowed though a swamp a
half mile wide. The only road through it was a narrow earthen causeway with multiple wooden bridges. The Confederates hoped the thick swamp and chest-deep water would hinder the Union advance. "a dog could scarcely make his way through the swamp" recalled a Union soldier. After the battle, Union Gen. Howard called the river " this indescribably Ugly Salkehatchie."
"So immense are the trees, and so thickly set, that the eye cannot reach half pistol range; and they are so abundantly covered with foliage that the light of day is shut out."
-Capt. F.Y. Hedley, 32nd Illinois Infantry
Marker can be reached from SC-S-5-8, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
