In a historical revelation, a cleanup project in South Carolina has unearthed a trove of Confederate weapons dumped in the Congaree River by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman's troops over 160 years ago. The artifacts, including cannonballs, bullets, rusty swords, and an unexploded ordnance, were part of Sherman's strategy to demoralize the defeated Confederates as the Civil War approached its end. The cleanup, conducted from early 2022 to October 2023, aimed to address coal tar pollution dumped in the river by a local gas company in the early 20th century. While removing toxic waste, the project unexpectedly brought to light these historic artifacts, shedding light on a dramatic episode in the conflict. Sean Norris, the archaeological program manager at environmental consulting firm TRC, expressed the significance of the find, stating, "It's an interesting story to tell," emphasizing the tangible connection to history beyond written records. Underwater investigations had previously hinted at the presence of cannonballs and projectiles, but it was only during the cleanup that these items were successfully recovered from the river. The artifacts, including over two and a half tons of debris, offer a unique glimpse into the challenges faced by both Union and Confederate forces during this critical period of American history. In addition to the Civil War relics, the project also revealed Native American items like arrowheads and modern debris, providing a comprehensive view of the river's historical and environmental evolution. The recovery of these artifacts adds a tangible layer to the narrative of Sherman's "March to the Sea" and the symbolic significance of South Carolina in the Civil War.