2009 Battle of Broxton Bridge - Civil War Reenactment

Readers will see that Lowcountryoutdoors.com is seeking to expand from the traditional format of conservation, hunting and fishing in order to cover events that take place in the outdoors or report stories that celebrate the outdoors. This blog entry takes place outdoors, and revisits history for those of us with a Southern heritage who are forever bound by the efforts that our predecessors put forth to support a Confederacy they believed in whole-heartedly.

The 'Fire Trail' cabin burning during a skirmish

Despite having a father who cherished Civil War history and memorabelia, I cannot recall ever attending a reenactment until the 2008 Battle For Broxton Bridge. The circumstance that took me to Western Colleton County on the Great Salkehatchie Swamp in 2008 was the filming of the movie "Fire Trail" - complete with a scene where rebels and yankees skirmished while a movie set cabin was burned to the ground in the dispute. Lots of people and great weather made the event memorable, and with mercantile stores and tent cities filled with reenactors, all on the edge of a vast beautiful swamp.

Rebel Cavalry spoiling for a fight

I decided to support their cause again this year. The Varn family has owned Broxton Bridge Plantation for nine generations, and the Salt-Ketchers Chapter of the Order of the Confederate Rose has held the battle reenactment for seven years. The battle was actually fought on February 2 and 3, 1865 . The reenactors man the remaining Civil War fortifications at the edge of the swamp and Confederate artillery batteries repel the Union skirmishers that emerge from the swamp, trying to secure a foothold.

The Stars and Bars at a camp site

Many Colleton County families were represented at Broxton Bridge. However, my own ancestor, Lt. Edward Henry Benton served in Company E of the 24th S.C. Infantry and perished at the Battle of Stone Mountain near Atlanta in 1864. A letter he wrote to his wife Martha Varn in 1861 states, "Dear Martha you must take good care of the plat (land) for if I never see you again, keep it for to remember me for my children." The plat still survives, known as Snipe Hill, and has been in the care of my family for seven generations, and Lt. Benton's wishes are still being heeded today.

To view another blog entries about the Battle of Broxton Bridge click here.