November 8 - 11AM
Opening November 21, 2014
“Paths of Destruction: Sherman’s Final Campaign”
A parade will feature bands, floats,
antique cars, Lower Richland JROTC
Cadets, elected officials and other
military guests. The procession will end
at Hopkins Park, where the public is
invited to a special program honoring
members of the Lower Richland Veterans Formation, SC Combat Veterans Group and all
veterans and families. Lower Richland Blvd. & Old Hopkins Rd. www.sercosc.org
Details Sherman’s last effort to quell the Confederacy in his army’s march through South
Carolina, the state that fired the first shots of the Civil War. Following the March to the
Sea, Sherman gained permission from Grant to lead his troops through South Carolina
beginning in early 1865, with the goal of decimating any and all military related buildings,
organizations and personnel in an attempt to break the morale of the Confederates and
bring the war to an end as soon as possible. This example of total war, with little
differentiation between military and private entities, left a lasting impact on the Carolinas
and, officially ending April 26, 1865, was one of the final campaigns of the war.
“Paths of Destruction” focuses on the march’s impact on the people of South Carolina and
its significance in the development of the concept of total war and the ethics involved by
examining multiple aspects of the campaign. Artifacts include Union and Confederate
weapons and accoutrements, ammunition, POW pieces, uniforms, excavated relics from
locations along Sherman’s path, and flags. Highlights of the exhibit are a life-size diorama
depicting Columbia after the burning, audio segments of first-person accounts during the
campaign, and a pre-and-post burned Columbia interactive map.
Founded in 1896, the SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum is the oldest
museum in the Columbia area. The museum focuses on South Carolina’s military history
from the Revolutionary War to the present. The museum is open Tuesday through
Saturday, 10:00-5:00, and the first Sunday of the month 1:00-5:00, and located at 301
Gervais Street (in the same building as the State Museum). Visit www.crr.sc.gov for more
information.
NOV 15
M