The Civil War in South Carolina
A series of new exhibits marks the observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and opens new history exhibit space at the State Museum. The display is part of an expansion of the Museum’s permanent Civil War exhibits that will add, when complete, another 2200 square feet of new space to the museum’s history floor.
Click here to learn more about the upcoming exhibits.Soldiers of the Palmetto State, 1861-1865: “We Left in a Storm of Cheers”
Now Open!
The second phase of a four-year expansion of the State Museum’s Civil War depicts the everyday lives of soldiers from South Carolina. Soldiers of the Palmetto State, 1861-1865: “We Left in a Storm of Cheers” tells the story of life after the “glow” of secession and early victory at the first Battle of Manassas had faded, and of the hardships endured, from disease to homesickness to boredom, by Southern troops.
“The exhibit focuses on the military side of the war and the lives of average soldiers,” said Curator of History Fritz Hamer. “We want to portray their experiences both in battle and in camp. We’ll show details about their daily lives, such as how they entertained themselves with cards and a cribbage board carried by some of the troops, and fed their spiritual lives with a soldier’s Bible. We’ll discuss what they ate and other aspects of a soldier’s life.”
Museum guests also will see letters written home by soldiers describing their lives in the army and the problems they faced, such as homesickness. In addition, the exhibit will feature a uniform believed to be from Hampton’s Legion, as well as a late-war frock coat from a Columbia native who served in the war; a flag of the McCalla Rifles, a company from Abbeville that became Company I of the 14th South Carolina Infantry; and weapons such as pistols and swords. A video will demonstrate the steps to loading and firing the standard weapons of the infantry.
The Coming of the Civil War
The first exhibit, The Coming of the Civil War, looks at the origins of the disagreement between South Carolina and the federal government beginning with the nullification crisis of 1832-33.
Artifacts include a green palmetto tree flag, c. 1860, which unofficially symbolized sovereignty or independence; a silk scarf imprinted with President Andrew Jackson’s proclamation to the people of South Carolina condemning the 1832 nullification ordinance, original lithographs from Harper’s Weekly magazine, created at the time of the events leading up to the Fort Sumter firing, a lithograph copy of the Ordinance of Secession, original lithographs of the secession convention and the Fort Sumter firing and more.
Related Programs
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The Mystery of the H.L. Hunley
May 12, June 9
11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Retired submariner Stonewall “Stoney” Hilton tells the tale of that fateful night in November 1864 when the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sank the USS Housatonic just outside of Charleston Harbor. Hilton also will present the latest findings from the Warren Lasch Conservation Laboratory, which currently houses the Hunley. Free with general admission or membership. Seating is limited.
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