Directions to Battery #5
Confederate Battery #5, part of the defensive "New Lines" that stretched across James Island can be inspected by driving South from Charleston, SC on US 17 and turning left onto Folly Road. (Follow the signs to Folly Beach.) After Crossing Wappoo Cut Bridge and driving several miles turn left onto Bur Claire Drive, drive across Secessionville Road. and enter the white gates of Sea Side Plantation.
The Battery, a large earthwork with stone historical marker and flag poles is located to the right, just past the gate.
On your trip, shortly after crossing Wappoo Cut on your left you will see a row of slave cabins and the main house of McLeod Plantation, site of a Confederate Divisional Hospital. It is owned and preserved by the Historic Charleston Foundation. It is open for scheduled tours and events on occassion.
The First shot of the Civil War was fired from Ft. Johnson about 3 miles west of Folly Road on James Island. It can be reached by turning left off of Folly Road onto Ft. Johnson road, however Fort no longer exists and the site is a restricted access marine research facility.
The First Battle of the 54th. Mass took place on Sol Legare Island, about a mile further out on Folly Road from the turnoff to Battery 5, off to the right.
Return to S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust Page
