Old Pocotaligo Road was a major road in the northern part of old Beaufort District for many years and appeared in Mill's Atlas of 1825. In February 1865, Gen. Wm. T. Sherman used this route from Savannah, Georgia, to North Carolina with much of his invasion force, including 15,000 troops of the 15th Corps. Union soldiers fought their way through the present Hampton County countryside against Confederates under generals Joe Wheeler and Lafayette McLaws and Colonel Charles J. Colcock. Engagements in the county occurred at Lawtonville, Hickory Hill, Whippy Swamp, and Broxton's Bridge.