Capture of the British outpost Fort Galphin, May 21, 1781, by Continental troops and South Carolina militia under Lt. Colonel Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee was more akin to an episode from the 1960’s western comedy sitcom ‘F-Troop.’ Lee had sent a small diversionary force to assault the fort, serving as bait to draw out the garrison. When the British sallied forth to give the rebel outcasts a jolly good drubbing, they failed to realize one Major Problem. They had left the fort’s gate open. After His Majesty’s regular troops and their loyalist militia slammed into Lee’s main force of Continental dragoons, they rushed back to the fort. Only to find the gates closed. With rebel musket and rifles pointing at them from the parapets. After a heated clash of arms with Lee’s pursuing dragoons while sustaining fire from the fort, the British had no option but to surrender.
A small but sharp skirmish, it gained importance for both the large number of captives among British Provincial soldiers and loyalist militia troops, as well as the timing; one day before the Second Siege of Augusta began, preventing the garrison troops from reinforcing the British forces in Augusta. Augusta would later fall to rebel forces on June 5, 1781. The loss of this outpost and that of Augusta continued the decline of British influence in the south as loyalist forces withdrew toward Charleston, South Carolina; finally evacuating the city on December 14, 1782.
Background
At the start of the war, the south was subjected to sporadic clashes of arms between local rebel patriots and loyalist residents. For three years, the Carolinas and Georgia and remained relatively removed from the war, but for occasional acts of violence that included Native American attacks that sided with loyalists. This changed on December 29, 1778, when Savannah, Georgia fell without a fight to a British force of regulars under Colonel Archibald Campbell (recently exchanged for Green Mountain Boy Ethan Allen). Campbell, along with loyalist Colonel Thomas ‘Burntfoot’ Brown, pressed further into Georgia taking Augusta on the Savannah River. Georgia and coastal South Carolina was further threatened by additional British regular troops from Augustus, Florida under General Augustine Prevost.
Patriot rebels rallied under Colonel Andrew Pickens and inflicted a major defeat on British Forces at the Battle of Kettle Creek, February 14, 1779. So too, after Savannah fell without a fight, Continental Major General Robert Howe was replaced by Major General Benjamin Lincoln who was reinforced with additional Continental troops. Under pressure, British forces retreated to Savannah where they firmly held the city during the American/Franco Siege of Savannah, September 23 – October 18, 1779. This allowed the British to retain a strong foothold along the Georgia/South Carolina coast.
With the war in the north stagnant, and bolstered by the success at Savannah, British Supreme Commander General Henry Clinton invaded the south in February, 1780, hoping to enlist the large number of supposedly loyalist militia to claim the southern colonies. He captured the Southern Continental Army on May 12, 1780. With the coast under British rule, General Clinton returned to New York leaving British General Charles Cornwallis in command. Soon after Cornwallis invaded the interior, erupting the southern ‘backcountry’ in brutal, partisan warfare. Both sides claimed minor and major victories as the two opponents slugged it out from Georgia to North Carolina. Eventually, Cornwallis’ army wore itself out after the Pyrrhic Victory against General Nathanael Greene’s Continental and militia forces at Guilford Courthouse, March 15, 1781. With half his army either a casualty to battle or unfit for duty due to forced marches and scant supplies, Cornwallis marched his emaciated and worn-out troops to the coast, regrouping at Wilmington North Carolina where he resupplied his army. On April 25, 1781, Cornwallis marched his force north to join British forces in Virginia. This left Greene free to attack British outposts still scattered across South Carolina and into Georgia.
American Forces March to Augusta, Georgia
Loyalist Colonel Thomas ‘Burntfoot’ Brown had been a thorn in the side of the American rebellion since before the war. He became one of the patriot’s most passionate enemy after taken captive in 1775 and tortured by Georgia patriot militia, resulting in torched and deformed feet; aka his sobriquet ‘Burntfoot.’ By 1781, he and his former Florida Rangers (renamed Carolina Rangers) commanded the stronghold at Augusta and Fort Cornwallis. Also under Brown’s command were Provincial American Volunteers, loyalists from New York and New Jersey trained and equipped as British Regular ‘Redcoats.’
Since arriving to command Augusta in the summer of 1780, Brown had seen to many improvements in Augusta’s defense, including fortifying several outposts surrounding the city. One was at the former Galphin Trading Post, twelve miles southeast of Augusta, just over the river in South Carolina. It was formerly owned by George Galphin, an Indian Agent who arrived in the 1740’s and had sided with the patriots, turning his plantation into a supply depot for rebel arms and supplies. His plantation consisted of 175 acres of cultivated fields and a small wooded area on a steep bluff overlooking the Savannah River; called Silver Bluff. Galphin was appointed Commissioner of Indian affairs in 1775 and was in competition with British Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Stuart. After the British invaded in 1780, Galphin lost his plantation along with his home that was turned into a British stockade and fort. Galphin was imprisoned in the stockade and later died on December 1, 1780 from illness.
With Continental Commander General Greene setting his sights on Fort Ninety-Six, active Georgian militia leader Colonel Elijah Clarke was intent on capturing Augusta, Georgia. Clarke and Brown had been each other’s nemesis since Clarke’s three failed attempts against Brown to take Florida; from 1776-1778. So too, he nearly defeated Brown during the failed First Siege of Augusta, September 14-18, 1780, before Brown was suddenly rescued by a large British force from Ninety-Six. Right after the failed siege, Brown ordered the slaughter of all rebel captives, along with hanging thirteen men accused of breaking their parole. These atrocities only fueled Clarke’s determination to capture Brown. Clarke returned to active duty in March, 1781 after serious injuries sustained at the Battle of Long Canes, December 12, 1780. With Brown still holding Augusta, Clarke was bent on taking the stronghold and killing Brown.
To do so, Clarke requested the help of militia leader Colonel Andrew Pickens of South Carolina. Pickens was attached to General Greene’s Continentals and was ordered to assist Clarke in early May. Lt. Colonel Henry ‘Lighthorse Harry’ Lee commanded a legion of cavalry and infantry. Lee had been tasked with capturing Fort Granby, South Carolina. The day Lee accepted the surrender of Fort Granby, May 15, 1781, he was ordered to Augusta to help Pickens and Clarke assault the Georgia stronghold. Lee covered the seventy-five miles from Fort Granby in three days to join Clarke at Beech Island, South Carolina, nine miles across the Savannah River from Augusta, arriving on May 18th.
Prelude to Attack on Fort Galphin
Lee had learned that a large cache of British ‘presents’ for their Native American allies had arrived at the former trading post, now fortified blockhouse at Fort Galphin, writing in his memoir: “on the third day, [of his orders to join Clarke in the Georgian’s assault on the stronghold at Augusta, Georgia] the vicinity of Augusta, which is seventy-five miles from Fort Granby, preceded by Captain O’Neale, with a light party of horse…From this active and discerning officer the pleasing information was received of the recent arrival of the annual royal present to the Indians, which was deposited at Fort Galphin, about twelve miles below Augusta on the north side of the river…” The materials included foodstuff, blankets and other supplies, and armaments much desired by the Americans since the British under turncoat Benedict Arnold had interrupted the southern supply line through Virginia. Lee wrote that the ‘presents,’ would “relieve the wants of the army…”
The presence of a large stock of Indian presents also “showed that Colonel Browne’s force in Augusta was reduced by detachments from it to secure his deposit at Fort Galphin.” Keen on acquiring the presents and capturing the garrison, thereby lessening the number of troops British Loyalist Brown could muster to his aid, he organized a detachment from his legion’s dismounted infantry and South Carolina militia to attack Fort Galphin. Lee’s dragoons blocked roads leading to Augusta to prevent Brown from sending aid to the besieged fort. Though Lee’s memoirs claims his presence during the capture of the fort, evidence also indicates he had remained in Augusta.
American Detachment against Fort Galphin:
- Commanding Officer – Major Michael Rudolph
- Lee’s Detachment of Infantry led by Maj. Rudolph – 4th Troop under Cpt. Allen McClane, 5th Troop under Cpt. Henry Archer, 6th Troop under Lt. Edward Manning.
- South Carolina Lower Ninety-Six Dist. Militia led by Col. LeRoy Hammond – two companies under Cpt. John Hammond and Cpt. Benjamin Odom, Jr.
- South Carolina Roebuck’s Battalion of Spartan Militia – one company led by Cpt. Joseph Wofford
The British Garrison at Fort Galphin:
- Commanding Officer – Cpt. Samuel Roworth
- Detachment of King’s Rangers (Brown’s Carolina Rangers) – 42 men under Cpt. Roworth
- New Jersey Volunteers (Partisans equipped and trained as redcoats) 3rd Battalion – 70 men led by Cpt. Thomas Hunloke
- Loyalist Militia – 14 boatmen and 61 armed black slaves
Battle
Lee’s memoir, which he wrote in third person as was the timely style, recorded steps he took and the day’s action. He makes no mention of the gate having been left open, which allowed his infantry to enter the fort unmolested. “Two companies of infantry now made the garrison of this later post, [Fort Galphin], which was a small stockade. Persuaded that his approach was alike unknown to Browne and to the officer commanding here, from the precautions which, by his superior cavalry…Lee determined by a forced march, with a detachment of infantry mounted behind his dragoons, to seize the Indian present. Leaving Eaton behind [Colonel Thomas Eaton of Warren County, North Carolina militia] with his battalion, the artillery, and the tired of the corps, to follow, he accordingly pushed on to Fort Galphin.”
Lee pressed hard towards the fort and recorded the morning of May 21st to be “sultry beyond measure.” His fatigued detachment reached the “…pine barrens which skirted the field surrounding the fort…” There they waited for the “moment of assault.” Lee directed his mounted militia to dismount and “to advance upon the fort in the opposite direction – not doubting that the garrison, as was the custom, would eagerly pursue them…” Lee described the instant his militia was spotted by the British garrison writing “The major part of the garrison, as had been expected, ran to arms on sight of the militia, and, leaving the fort, pursued them.” While that occurred, Lee sent Captain Rudolph, with “a selection…of all the infantry [Lee’s Continental Legion] whose strength was fitted for action…to rush upon the fort.” He had the rest of his force both guard the road to Augusta so no reinforcements could arrive from that direction, and to attack the pursuing garrison writing that, “while the residue, supported by a troop of dragoons, took a direction which shielded the militia from the menaced blow.”
Lee wrote that “Rudolph had no difficulty in possessing himself of the fort…” Accordingly the gate had been left open. Lee continued, “little opposition being attempted, and that opposition being instantly crushed.” He made no mention of captives but that “This success…deprived Browne of a very important portion of his force…” Lee was delighted in the prize of weapons, powder, and supplies much needed by his men writing he captured “an abundance of supplies much wanted by the army of Greene – among which were the essentials of war – powder and ball – which articles had become scarce in the American camp…” Afterward, “In the evening Lt-Colonel Lee, with the artillery and infantry, joined [Major Joseph] Eggleston, then united to the militia under Pickens and Clarke, and encamped in the woods to the west of Augusta.” From which he joined in the siege of the city.
Casualties and Aftermath
Lee recorded that he had lost only one man from “heat of the weather; the enemy only three or four in the skirmish.” The rebel who perished did so of heat exhaustion. But the British suffered far more than the three or four that Lee implied. Though the exact number killed and wounded was not recorded, it was, as Lee wrote, the number of captives that had the greatest impact. Sources indicated that one hundred and seventy-three were taken prisoner which included about 70 Provincial regulars, around forty Georgia militia, and African American Loyalists (many former slaves). It was a considerable number that deprived the commander of the British garrison at Augusta, Colonel Thomas Browne, much needed troops.
The very next day Lee joined South Carolina militia leader General Andrew Pickens and Georgian Colonel Elijah Clarke in the Second Siege of Augusta. British commander of Carolina Rangers, Colonel Thomas Browne, held out until June 5th before surrendering Fort Cornwallis and his entire garrison. This was but another major set back for British hopes of retaining the deep south while British General Charles Cornwallis campaigned in Virginia.
Several more British outposts would fall to Continental and militia forces under Major General Nathanael Greene. Regulars and loyalists were forced to recede from the backcountry towards shore defenses. On September 8, 1781, at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, considered one of the bloodiest of the war, the south saw the last major clash of arms. Though a British victory, Greene once again pulled away retaining his army. The British were soon after forced to abandon their last major outposts and retreat to Charleston, South Carolina. General Cornwallis’ army surrendered to French and American forces on October 19, 1781. On December 14, 1782, Charleston, South Carolina was evacuated, basically ending hostilities in America until peace terms were concluded at the Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1782. Final British forces boarded ships in New York City and nearly three months after the signing of the peace accords, departed on November 25, 1783.
If you would like to read more about the American Revolution in the South, we recommend the following books.
Of Similar Interest on Revolutionary War Journal
RESOURCE
Commager, Henry Steele & Morris, Richard B. editors. The Spirit of Seventy-Six: The Story of the American Revolution as Told by its Participants: 2002 Edition: Castle Books, Edison, New Jersey.
Crawford, Alan Pell. This Fierce People, The Untold Story of America’s Revolution in the South. 2024: Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.
Landrum, J. B. O. Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina. 1897: Shannon and Company Partners and Binders, Greenville, South Carolina. Reprint South Carolina Heritage Series, Number 1 (May, 1962), The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Kyte, George W. “An Appraisal of General Greene’s Strategy in the Carolinas.” The North Carolina Historical Review. Volume XXXVII, Number 3, (July 1960). Page 354.
Lee, Henry ‘Lighthorse Harry,’ edited by Robert E. Lee. Memoirs of the War in the South. 1869: University Publishing Company, New York, NY. Reprint The American Revolution in the South, 1969: Arno Press, New York, NY. Capture of Fort Galphin begins on pg. 353.
Lee, Richard Henry ‘Lighthorse Harry’ Memoir of the Life of Richard Henry Lee and His Correspondence with the … and the Events of the American Revolution. In Two Volumes. 1825: H. C. Carey I. Lea, William Brown Printer, Leesburg, Virginia.
South Carolina Department of Archives and History. “Silver Bluff, Aiken County; Galphin Trading Post.” National Register Properties in South Carolina.
Rindfleisch, Bryan. “George Galphin and the War in the South, 1775-1780.” September 1, 2015. All Things Liberty
Southern, Ed (editor). Voices of the American Revolution in the Carolinas. 2009: John F. Blair Publishing, Durham, NC.