Sherman's March Through South Carolina
Gen. Sherman's march through South Carolina began in early January, 1865. By March 9th, his troops had passed out of the state into North Carolina - leaving behind a path of total destruction 100 miles wide and extending the entire length of the state.
Federal troop strength was 60,000 consisting of the 14th, 15th, 17th, and 20th Army Corps plus a Cavalry Corps of 4,000. The total Confederate troops involved were 33,400, although not all of them were available to defend the state in the early part of the campaign.
The campaign began in late November 1864, but due to the strong resistance by Gen. Wheeler's Cavalry, Sherman's first troops did not cross the river into South Carolina until 15 January 1865. He had reported to his superiors that he expected the Carolina march to last 4 to 5 weeks, but in fact it was late March before his troops passed out of South Carolina into North Carolina. He later reported that his march had not begun until the end of January.
In view of the destruction of property, the loss of life both to the Confederate and Federal armies, and the population at large was relatively light. In his report, the Surgeon for the Federal Forces, D. L. Huntington, puts their losses at 106 deaths and 697 wounded. A tally of the first hand accounts indicates a much higher number - something approaching 1,000 deaths. As I continue my research, I will try to document these deaths, but to date, I have only turned up 1 (one) Federal soldier's name - that of George Halsey who died 27 FEB 1865 at Lynch's Creek.
Confederate casualties are unknown for this period. There is a report of some 200 civilians being massacred in the upstate above Columbia, and something less than 20 killed when Columbia was burned, but the records are virtually non-existent as Sherman burned virtually everything in his path. The tallies made by the federal officers would indicate approx. 200 confederate troops died.
A Federal account of the march by Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard
OnLine Site dedicated to Sherman's March Through South Carolina
A letter from a Massachusetts solder to his wife
Timeline of Sherman's March
30 DEC 1864 - Exit Savannah
02 JAN 1865 - First Crossing into South Carolina by Federal Troops
05 JAN 1865 - Pocotaligo
09 JAN 1865 - Sherman and his officers arrived by Steamer at Beaufort from Savannah They met the XV and XVII A.C. which had marched out of Savannah on 31 DEC 1864.
14 JAN 1865 - Gen. Howard leaves Beaufort to join Gen. Blair and the XV A.C. Battle at Pocotaligo creek. Federal loss - 2 officers killed and 2 men wounded. Federal forces take the railroad at Pocotaligo Station with a loss of about a dozen men.
15 JAN 1865 - Right wing of Sherman's army reaches Beaufort, SC
17 JAN 1865 - XVII A.C. occupies the Savannah & Charleston railroad. Loss Federal - about 12 men.
25 JAN 1865 - 4 straight days of rain reported - all streams uncrossable. Federal estimates up to 20,000 Confederate in front.
26 JAN 1865 - The XV A.C. leaves Beaufort.
28 JAN 1865 - Roper's Crossroads
29 JAN 1865 - Federal forces leave Pocataligo for the mid-state. Federal troop strength 60,000 men. Gen. Slocum has crossed the Savannah River above Savannah and is moving towards Branchville.
03 FEB 1865 - Federal forces reach the Salkahatchie river.
05 FEB 1865 - Branchville
07 FEB 1865 - Blackville
11 FEB 1865 - North Fork - Orangeburg
11 FEB 1865 - Battle of Aiken
15 FEB 1865 - Little Congaree
17 FEB 1865 - Gen. Hampton evacuates Columbia
18 FEB 1865 - Columbia surrendered to the Federal forces - subsequently burned
21 FEB 1865 - Winnsboro
23 FEB 1865 - Rocky Mount
02 MAR 1865 - Cheraw
02 MAR 1865 - Florence
11 MAR 1865 - Fayetteville, NC
16 MAR 1865 - Averasboro
19 MAR 1865 - Bentonville
26 APR 1865 - Gen. Johnston's troops surrendered at Goldsboro, NC