Civil War Battles of South Carolina

South Carolina holds a significant, if often tragic, place in the narrative of the American Civil War. As the first state to formally secede from the Union in December 1860, it ignited the chain of events that would plunge the nation into a bloody conflict. South Carolina’s secession was followed by its pivotal role as a founding member of the Confederate States of America in February 1861, solidifying its position at the forefront of the rebellion. The opening shots of the war itself were fired within its borders, forever etching South Carolina into the annals of American history.

The act that initiated the devastating war was the bombardment of Fort Sumter, a United States garrison stationed in Charleston harbor. On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces opened fire upon the fort, a deliberate act of aggression that served as the catalyst for the war. This event marked the beginning of a long and arduous struggle that would reshape the nation’s identity and leave an indelible mark on the South.

Throughout the Civil War, Civil War Battles of South Carolina served as a vital resource for the Confederacy. It furnished troops, uniforms, textiles, food, and essential war materials. The state’s military institutions, such as The Citadel, played a crucial role in training soldiers and providing skilled leaders for the Confederate army. Moreover, South Carolina possessed a relatively well-developed rail network, facilitating the transportation of supplies and troops throughout the state. Until the war’s final stages, South Carolina remained largely free from Union occupation, making it a suitable location for several prisoner-of-war camps. Interestingly, South Carolina stood apart from other Confederate states as it lacked significant anti-secessionist sentiment, meaning it didn’t send substantial numbers of white men to fight for the Union.

Despite South Carolina’s crucial role in initiating the war and the Union’s persistent attempts to capture Charleston from 1863 onwards, relatively few major military engagements occurred within the state’s boundaries until 1865. That year, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s army, fresh from its destructive March to the Sea in Savannah, Georgia, turned its attention toward South Carolina. Sherman’s troops marched to Columbia, the state capital, and infamously leveled much of the city, as well as several other towns along their path.

The impact of the war on South Carolina was devastating. The state suffered immense losses, with approximately 12,922 men perishing during the conflict. This figure represented a staggering 23% of its male white population of fighting age, the highest percentage of any state in the nation. Sherman’s 1865 march through the Carolinas resulted in widespread destruction, exceeding even the devastation inflicted upon Georgia. Many of Sherman’s soldiers harbored a deep resentment towards South Carolina, blaming the state and its citizens for initiating the war. One of Sherman’s men declared, "Here is where treason began, and, by God, here is where it shall end!" The war’s impact on South Carolina left the state impoverished for generations to come. Civil War Battles of South Carolina left deep scars on the state and its people.

The Civil War Battles of South Carolina, though fewer in number than in other theaters, were nonetheless significant. They ranged from the opening shots at Fort Sumter to Sherman’s devastating march through the state, each battle contributing to the larger narrative of the conflict.

Here is a more detailed look at some of the key Civil War Battles of South Carolina:

• Fort Sumter (April 12-14, 1861): Located in Charleston County, the Battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the American Civil War. On April 10, 1861, Brigadier General Beauregard, commander of the Confederate forces in Charleston, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison at Fort Sumter. Major Anderson, the Union commander, refused. In response, Confederate batteries commenced firing upon the fort on April 12. The Union garrison, unable to mount an effective defense, surrendered on April 13. The evacuation occurred the following day. While no lives were lost during the bombardment itself, one Union artillerist was killed and three others wounded when a cannon exploded prematurely while firing a salute during the evacuation on April 14. The event symbolized the commencement of open hostilities between the North and South.

• Secessionville (June 16, 1862): Also known as the Battle of Fort Lamar and the Battle of James Island, this engagement occurred as part of the larger Operations against Charleston. In early June 1862, Major General David Hunter dispatched Union divisions under Brigadier Generals Horatio G. Wright and Isaac I. Stevens to James Island, near the Confederate defenses. On June 16, Brigadier General Henry Benham launched an unauthorized frontal assault against Fort Lamar at Secessionville. The attack failed, and Benham was relieved of command for disobeying orders. The Confederate victory resulted in approximately 685 Union casualties and 204 Confederate casualties.

• Simmon’s Bluff (June 21, 1862): This was a minor, but representative, encounter. Federal forces, besieging Charleston, launched an amphibious expedition to disrupt the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. On June 21, troops from the 55th Pennsylvania, transported by the gunboat Crusader and the Planter, landed near Simmon’s Bluff on Wadmalaw Sound. They surprised and burned a Confederate encampment of the 16th South Carolina Infantry. The Confederates scattered, and the Federals returned to their ships. Despite this minor victory, the Federals abandoned their raid on the railroad. No casualties were reported in this engagement.

• Charleston Harbor (April 7, 1863): Also referred to as the Battle of Fort Sumter, this skirmish was part of the ongoing Operations against Defenses of Charleston. Major General David Hunter prepared his land forces on Folly, Cole’s, and North Edisto Islands to support a naval bombardment of Fort Sumter. On April 7, the South Atlantic Squadron under Rear Admiral S.F. Du Pont bombarded Fort Sumter, but the bombardment had little impact on the Confederate defenses. The infantry was not landed, and the joint operation was abandoned. The ironclad warship Keokuk was struck more than 90 times by Confederate fire and sunk the next day. The skirmish resulted in a Confederate victory, with 22 Union casualties and 14 Confederate casualties.

• Fort Wagner (July 10-11, 1863): Also known as the First Assault and the Battle of Morris Island, this skirmish was part of the Operations against Defenses of Charleston. On July 10, Union artillery and Rear Admiral John Dahlgren’s fleet of ironclads opened fire on Confederate defenses on Morris Island. Brigadier General George C. Strong’s brigade landed on the island’s southern tip and advanced, capturing several batteries, to within range of Fort Wagner. At dawn on July 11, Strong attacked the fort. Soldiers of the 7th Connecticut reached the parapet but were ultimately thrown back. The Confederate victory resulted in an estimated 339 Union casualties and 12 Confederate casualties.

• Grimball’s Landing (July 16, 1863): Also known as the Battle of Secessionville or the Battle of James Island, this skirmish was part of the Operations against Defenses of Charleston. General Quincy Gillmore designed two feints to divert Confederate reinforcements from a renewed attack on Fort Wagner. One force threatened the Charleston & Savannah Railroad bridge, while another, under Brigadier General Alfred Terry, landed on James Island. On July 16, the Confederates attacked Terry’s camp at Grimball’s Landing. The disorganized Confederate attack was soon aborted due to difficult terrain. Federal troops withdrew from the island on July 17. The inconclusive battle resulted in an unknown number of Union casualties and an estimated 18 Confederate casualties.

• Fort Wagner/Morris Island (July 18-September 7, 1863): Also known as the Second Assault, this battle was part of the Operations against Defenses of Charleston. On July 18, Major General Quincy Gillmore launched an attack spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a black regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who was killed in the assault. The attack was ultimately repulsed with heavy casualties. The Federals then resorted to siege operations to reduce the fort. This engagement was significant as it highlighted the bravery and combat effectiveness of black troops. The Confederate victory resulted in 1515 Union casualties and 174 Confederate casualties.

• Fort Sumter (August 17-December 31, 1863): Also referred to as the Battle of Charleston Harbor and the Battle of Morris Island, this skirmish was part of the Operations against Defenses of Charleston. Federal batteries on Morris Island bombarded Fort Sumter and the Charleston defenses. Despite sustaining severe damage, Fort Sumter’s garrison held out. Siege operations continued against Fort Wagner on Morris Island. The number of casualties in this inconclusive battle is unknown.

• Charleston Harbor (September 7-8, 1863): Also called The Battle of Battery Gregg, Fort Wagner, Morris Island, and Fort Sumter, this skirmish was part of the Operations against Defenses of Charleston. During the night of September 6-7, Confederate forces evacuated Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg. On September 8, a storming party of Union marines and sailors attempted to surprise Fort Sumter but were repulsed. The Confederate victory resulted in 117 Union casualties; the number of Confederate casualties is unknown.

• Honey Hill (November 30, 1864): This battle was part of the Savannah Campaign in Jasper County. A Union expeditionary force under Major General John P. Hatch attempted to cut the Charleston & Savannah Railroad near Pocotaligo. On November 30, Hatch encountered a Confederate force under Colonel Charles J. Colcock at Honey Hill. Attacks by U.S. Colored Troops, including the 54th Massachusetts, failed to capture the Confederate entrenchments or cut the railroad. Hatch withdrew after dark. The Confederate victory resulted in an estimated 746 Union casualties and 60 Confederate casualties.

• Rivers’ Bridge (February 3, 1865): Part of the Campaign of the Carolinas, this skirmish, also known as the Battle of Salkehatchie River, took place in Bamberg County. On February 2, 1865, a Confederate force under Major General Lafayette McLaws held the crossings of the Salkehatchie River against Sherman’s advancing army. Union soldiers bypassed the roadblock by building bridges across the swamp. On February 3, Union brigades waded the swamp downstream and assaulted McLaws’s right. McLaws retreated toward Branchville after stalling Sherman’s advance for only one day. The Union victory resulted in an estimated loss of 92 Union and 170 Confederates. These are but a few of the Civil War Battles of South Carolina.

The legacy of the Civil War Battles of South Carolina extends far beyond the battlefields themselves. The state’s prominent role in the conflict, both as the initiator of secession and as a site of significant military engagements, has shaped its identity and continues to be a subject of historical study and reflection. The stories of courage, sacrifice, and devastation that unfolded within South Carolina’s borders during the Civil War remain a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of this pivotal period in American history.