Sister's Ferry facts for kids

Sisters Ferry is a special historical place. It's where a part of the Union Army, led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, crossed the Savannah River. This happened during the start of what was called the "Carolinas Campaign" near the end of the American Civil War.

What is Sisters Ferry?

Sisters Ferry was a place where people could cross the Savannah River using a ferry boat. It was set up sometime after the year 1820. This ferry crossing is about 2 miles downstream from an even older ferry called Two Sister's Ferry. During the American Revolutionary War, on March 12, 1780, people who were loyal to the British (called Loyalists) crossed the river at Two Sister's Ferry. Sisters Ferry is also about 35 miles upriver from the city of Savannah, Georgia.

Sherman's Army Crosses the River

After General Sherman's army captured the city of Savannah, Georgia, he had finished his famous "Sherman's March to the Sea." His boss, General Ulysses S. Grant, wanted him to put his soldiers on ships. Grant wanted Sherman's army to help other Union armies fighting in Virginia. At that time, Grant's army was stuck in a long fight called the Siege of Petersburg against Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

However, General Sherman convinced Grant that he had a better idea. Sherman wanted to march his army north through the states of North and South Carolina. He planned to destroy anything that could help the Confederate army, just like he did in Georgia. Sherman especially wanted to target South Carolina. This state was the first to leave the United States, and he believed attacking it would really hurt the spirits of the Southern people.

The Plan to Cross into South Carolina

On January 19, 1865, General Sherman gave orders to Major General Henry Warner Slocum. Slocum was in charge of two large groups of soldiers, the XIV Corps and the XX Corps. His job was to lead his soldiers across the Savannah River into South Carolina at two places: Sisters Ferry and Pocotaligo.

Challenges During the Crossing

General Slocum's plan faced some problems right away. Heavy rainfall made it difficult for his soldiers to move. Because of the rain, his part of Sherman's army couldn't leave the city of Savannah until January 29, 1865.

By February 2, Slocum's soldiers were still struggling to cross the river at Sisters Ferry. They were falling behind the rest of Sherman's army, which was already moving into South Carolina.

Once they finally managed to cross the river, Slocum's soldiers marched up Sisters Ferry Road. Their goal was to reach the town of Robertville, South Carolina.