When the War for Southern Independence ended in 1865, a new struggle began—what many called the Second War for South Carolina’s Independence. This was the era of Reconstruction, when the state found itself under military occupation and ruled by an unrepresentative government heavily influenced by Radical Republicans in Washington. The consequences were devastating: nearly 40% of South Carolina’s women wore black for fallen loved ones; over 48,000 men were dead, disabled, or disenfranchised; and hundreds of thousands of acres of land were seized through exploitative tax schemes and political corruption. Both black and white families suffered in deep poverty under a system many saw as illegitimate and abusive.

By 1876, South Carolinians had had enough. People from all walks of life—led by former Confederate officers and concerned citizens—mobilized to reclaim their state. They called themselves the Red Shirts.

From the coast to the mountains, an estimated 100,000 red shirts were dyed, sewn, and distributed—symbolizing unity, defiance, and a shared determination to restore responsible government. Mounted men in red shirts attended political rallies, escorted candidates, and made themselves visible at polling places. Their presence sent a clear message: South Carolinians would no longer submit to outside control.

The Red Shirt movement helped rally support for Wade Hampton III, a respected Confederate general and statesman, in his campaign for governor. Though the election was marred by fraud and contested results, Hampton won the majority of votes. For months, two rival governments claimed power in Columbia. Finally, in April 1877, after federal troops withdrew, the Radical Republican regime collapsed—and Hampton was officially recognized as governor.

The Red Shirts had achieved their goal: the end of Reconstruction rule and the restoration of local government. Their legacy is complex and often debated, but their role in South Carolina history is undeniable. Through both courageous resolve and costly sacrifice, they helped turn the tide during one of the state’s darkest chapters.

In our museum, you’ll find on display a rare and authentic red shirt once worn by “Colonel” Thomas Bissell Crews—a Confederate cavalry officer in Hampton’s Legion, prominent newspaper editor, and legislator from the upstate. He was just one of many who stood at the front lines of South Carolina’s effort to reclaim its future.