No Means, No Government, No Hope: Anderson, SC, After the Civil War

May 1, 1865: An accidental meeting between cadets and Federal troops resulted in the last land battle of the Civil War east of the Mississippi. Just a few hours later, in the midst of Anderson, SC’s annual May Day festival, over two thousand Federal troops invaded and occupied Anderson. For three days, the town was held hostage as leading citizens were tortured, buildings were ransacked, and a supply of wine kept the soldiers’ fires from burning the town. The battle and occupation claimed the lives of four men, including one African-American.