Battle of Rivers' Bridge
Feb. 2-3, 1865
A Vulnerable Stronghold
The Confederates were confident they could stop another head-on Union assault. But they feared for the safety of their flanks, knowing they did not have enough men to resist attacks that might strike the ends of their thin line.
"I can hold my position here, General, until next Christmas if you can keep them off my flanks."
-Lt.Col. Edwin H. Bacon, 32nd Georgia Infantry, to Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Feb. 3, 1865
Abatis bristled from the front of the Confederate fortifications. A crude obstacle of sharpened and intertwined tree branches,
abatis stopped attackers and brought them under murderous, close- range gunfire.
Marker can be reached from SC-S-5-8, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
