Battle of Anderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Anderson
Part of the American Civil War
Date May 1, 1865 Location Anderson, South Carolina Result Confederate Victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Simeon B. Brown	Unknown
Units involved
Three Brigades	South Carolina Battalion of State Cadets
Strength
3,700 soldiers	unknown
Casualties and losses
2	0

The Battle of Anderson was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened in Anderson County, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865. This battle was one of the last conflicts of the war. It took place about three weeks after General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. That famous surrender happened at Appomattox Court House.

The exact spot of the battle is not known. However, it definitely happened in Anderson. Some historians think it was near the modern-I-85. They also believe it was close to the Shiloh Methodist Church in the Piedmont area. This battle is re-enacted every April. By 2020, it had been re-enacted 17 times.

The Battle of Anderson

Before the Fight

Brevet Brigadier General Simeon B. Brown

On April 27, Union General George Stoneman gave an order. He told three groups of soldiers, called brigades, to march. There were 3,700 men in total. Their journey would take them from Asheville down the Saluda River. They were to go to Belton or Anderson. Their final goal was Augusta. They were looking for Jefferson Davis, who was the president of the Confederacy.

After giving these orders, General Stoneman left. He went back to his main base in Knoxville. He left some of his units behind. These units were under the command of Simeon B. Brown.

The Fighting Begins

William McKenzie

On May 1, the Union forces arrived in Anderson County. When the Union army got there, they took things from homes and businesses. This happened from Pendleton all the way to Anderson.

Later that day, a group of Confederate cadets attacked the Union soldiers. These cadets were from the South Carolina Military Academy. The Confederates pushed back a small group of Union soldiers. These Union soldiers had planned to burn down a railroad bridge on the Saluda River. At the same time, some Union cavalry were attacked. This attack came from a group of Confederate soldiers from Pendleton. Because the Confederates won this small fight, a man named Daniel Brown was rescued.

After the Battle

On May 2, more Union soldiers arrived. Another group of 2,050 Union soldiers joined the forces in Anderson. However, the Union Army in Anderson could not capture Jefferson Davis. Davis had already surrendered earlier. He was captured in Georgia on May 10.

A specific unit that started the war on January 1, 1861, was involved. They had opened fire at the USS Star of the West. This was to stop the ship from helping Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. This unit considers the Battle of Anderson to be their last action east of the Mississippi River.

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