Battle of Hanging Rock

The Battle of Hanging Rock, South Carolina, August 6, 1780, was fought in present day Lancaster County south of Heath Springs. It was a patriot victory between rebel militia (North and South Carolina) that included Catawba Native Americans against a British outpost garrisoned by Tory regulars, mounted infantry of Banastre Tarleton’s Legion (Tarleton was not present), and South Carolina militiamen. For newly elected General Thomas Sumter of South Carolina militia, it was his first successful attack. Sumter’s only previous time leading men into battle had ended dismally at the Battle of Rocky Mount, just a week prior against another British outpost only sixteen miles west of Hanging Rock.

Since the South Carolina government was in exile, Sumter was chosen by militia leaders to command their campaign against British outposts and bands of loyalist raiders. His commission would not be formally approved until October of that year. Hanging Rock was considered a win with a considerable number of Tory killed and wounded; however, it was not fully achieved. Sumter had lost control of his men when they drove the British back and militiamen discovered and looted the enemy’s camp; most importantly the large stash of rum. With only a portion of his troops fit to press the attack against a trained enemy who had formed into a defensive square protected by two cannon [some sources state one cannon], he decided he had achieved his goal and retired to his camp on the Catawba River.

Situation in South Carolina

Southern Whigs of the Carolinas established superiority over the Loyalist factions after victories in The Snow Campaign (December 23 – 30, 1775) and the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge (Feb. 27, 1776). In the summer of 1776, a British fleet was thwarted from capturing Charleston, South Carolina, on June 28th. For the next nearly four years, South Carolina was unmolested by the war. In 1779, Georgia was reclaimed by the British and Savannah was later successfully defended from an American and French force. After the British fleet invested Charleston in February of 1780, the city fell on May 12th, resulting in the surrender of the Southern American Army. Even before Charleston fell, British General Charles Cornwallis, with his prized pit bull, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, had set about placating the interior of South Carolina.

Communication and troop disbursement outposts were established throughout the backcountry with major headquarters at Camden (130 miles northeast of Charleston) and Fort Ninety-Six (100 miles further west). Meanwhile, Tarleton had led his fast-moving Legion of dragoons and mounted light infantry in a brutal campaign to mop up any interior Continental forces while suppressing local resistance. Monck’s Corner, April 14, 1780, and Lenud’s Ferry, May 6^th, were both ferocious attacks on Continental cavalry that earned Tarleton the title, ‘Bloody Ben.’ With the American army annihilated, and the threat of harsh retribution, many rebel militia leaders accepted British paroles and went home. Cornwallis was confident in success and assured his superior, Commander-in-Chief General Henry Clinton, that by the fall, he would be ready to launch a push into North Carolina.

By early June, England’s plans began to unravel. Loyalist, emboldened by British successes, began to exact revenge on patriots, including attacks on their homes. This prompted many rebel leaders to forgo their paroles and reenter the fight; calling up fellow militiamen. On May 29, 1780, at the Battle of Waxhaws, forty miles north of Camden, Lt. Colonel Tarleton earned an additional hateful epithet, ‘Tarleton’s Quarter.’  It was a savage attack on Colonel Abraham Buford’s 3^rd Virginia Continental Regiment, sent to reinforce besieged Americans at Charleston. The continental troops were cut to pieces, many while attempting to surrender, with few survivors. The sheer brutality of this action shocked backcountry residents, convincing many that their only alternative for survival was to join growing rebellious militias.

Two other events became a magnet that attracted rebel militiamen to answer a call to arms. When Tarleton returned to Charleston, his Legion remained in the field, stationed at several outposts, including Rocky Mount, north of Camden. Legion Captain Christian Huck was given command of a strong raiding party that rode out seeking militia leaders. They looted and torched homes and outbuildings including William Hill’s Iron Works, a major supplier of farm tools for both Tory and Whigs within a fifty-mile radius. When Huck set out on a second raid, he was met by a band of vengeful rebel militia. At the Williamson’s plantation, on July 12^th, Huck and his veteran partisan troops were defeated. Huck was killed with few of his men escaping. This was the first time militiamen had destroyed a force of highly trained British regulars. Word of this encouraged droves of patriots to join patriot militias.

The second event foresaw the doom of Cornwallis’ dream of pacifying the south. British emissaries were sent into the backcountry to demand all citizens to take an oath of loyalty to the crown or suffer the consequences. The declaration had the opposite effect than its intent. It did not go well with backcountry, liberty minded settlers, particularly the Scotch-Irish who had immigrated south from the Philadelphia region; and more importantly, the Overmountain Men who had settled in eastern Tennessee. They simply would not be told what to do by either side of the revolt, resulting in many to choose the rebellious cause. And by mid-June, when the independent militia leaders met to vote one of their own to command a united force, they chose their general; Thomas Sumter. The mutually decided target of their combined resistance would be the many outposts established across the interior. They decided to begin their campaign north of Camden with Rocky Mount and nearby Hanging Rock. 

Prior to Battle that Included an Earlier Attack on Hanging Rock by Major Davie

General Thomas Sumter, labeled the ‘Gamecock,’ was ambitious to say the least. A prima donna, pompous ‘wanna be aristocrat,’ his tender ego, as the saying goes, could spot a slight around the corner, intended or not.. He was also a fighter. In pursuit of defeating his enemy, Sumter never hesitated sending men under his command into the jaws of hell. Light Horse Harry Lee wrote of Sumter that when “Enchanted with the splendor of victory, he would wade in torrents of blood to attain it.” After the Battle of Hanging Rock, acclaimed rebel commander Major William Richardson Davie wrote that his corps, “suffered much while tying their horses under a heavy fire from the Tories.” He later vowed he would never serve under Sumter again.

As soon as Brigadier General Sumter was put in command of South Carolina militia, he continued to actively recruit militiamen and Catawba Native Americans to his growing army. By late July, his force was camped along the Catawba River at Land’s Ford. Major Davie described what occurred during a council of war, referring to himself in the third person, common for the period: “Colonels Sumpter and Neal with a number of the South Carolina Refugees [approximately 500], and Col° Irwin [“e”] with 300 of the Mecklenburg Militia [NC] rendezvoused near Major Davie’s camp about the last of July, and a Council was immediately held by the officers to fix upon a proper object to strike at while this volunteer force was collected, Rocky-Mount and the Hanging-Rock presented themselves as not only the most important at the time but lying within their reach and strength; and it was finally agreed that Col° Sumpter should march with the Refugees & the N° Carolinians under Col° Irwin [“e”] to the Attack of Rocky-Mount, while Major Davie made a diversion to engage the attention of the corps at the Hanging-Rock, and their Detachments marched the same evening.”

Sumter knew that if he did not attack the enemy soon, the eight hundred or so men under his command would tire of camp life and return home. The British outpost at Rocky Mount on the broad river, just south of present-day Great Falls, was less than a day’s march from his camp. It was garrisoned by 150 partisan regulars; DeLancey’s New York Volunteers and another 150 loyalist militia, mainly from Camden County, all under the command of Lt. Colonel George Turnbull.

On the night of July 29^th, Sumter marched his troops to attack Rocky Mount at first light. For details on this attack, see Revolutionary War Journal’s Battle of Rocky Mount. Davie wrote of what awaited Sumter at the outpost: “The defenses of Rocky-Mount consisted of two log Houses calculated for defense, and a loop-holed building the whole secured by a strong Abbatis [sharpened stakes driven into an embankment facing outward], the situation was considerably elevated, and surrounded with cleared grounds.” According to Major Davie, his dragoons and mounted light infantry, 80 men in total, left the same evening to stage a diversionary attack against the garrison at Hanging Rock, seventeen miles to the east. It was defended by around 500 partisan loyalists, both regulars and militia. Sumter’s attempt on Rocky Mount ended in frustration. He conducted three failed, frontal forlorn attacks to cut through the abatis. After a thwarted attempt to torch the loyalist buildings, his troops returned to camp.

Meanwhile Davie’s diversion at Hanging Rock was a spectacular success. For details see Revolutionary War Journal’s Battle of Hanging Rock: Patriot Major Davie Strikes First. While outside the outpost’s camp, Davie’s scouts spotted the arrival of three companies of Tory mounted infantry. They were camped at a farm house within view of the post. Davie formed a bold plan to attack the militiamen. Under a ruse that his men were also loyalists (there were no uniforms as militia on both sides wore the same clothing) he got close. In a surprise attack, the loyalists were annihilated to a man. Davie was able to withdraw before the large garrison could sally in an attack.

On August 5^th, Davie’s small band rejoined Sumter’s camp at Land’s Ford. Davie reported on his success as well as valuable information on Hanging Rock’s garrison and fortifications. A council of war was held by the officers and it was decided they would attack Hanging Rock. As Davie put it, “…it was supposed if one of them was taken the other would be evacuated.” Since Sumter did not have cannon and Hanging Rock was an open camp, it was assumed they would have better luck. The name Hanging Rock is somewhat misleading. The large boulder does not hang, it is firmly planted and is more accurately described as an overhang formed as though a triangular slice had been taken out of the bottom leaving a peaked roof above. The opening is large enough to shelter over 50 men from the elements.

Separate militias, when gathered, did not follow the same military protocol of a Continental or British army. Though Sumter was the brigadier and overall commander, he could not act to attack an enemy unless the individual officers in command of their own militias agreed to do so. Davie later recalled that, “…in those times [it] was absolutely necessary for the officers to explain to their men what was intended and obtain their approval, and in this case the militia entered into the project with great spirt and cheerfulness…” That night, the militiamen under Sumter marched and according to Davie at midnight they arrived within two miles of the British Camp at Hanging Rock.

The name Hanging Rock is somewhat misleading. The large boulder for which the area receives its name does not hang, but is firmly planted and is more accurately described as an overhang formed as though a triangular slice had been taken out of the bottom, leaving a peaked roof above. The opening is large enough to shelter around 50 men from the elements.

British Force under Major John Carden

• Approximately 500 men, over 300 Tory regulars and around 200 loyalist militiamen; however, some sources estimate a far larger number of militia were present
• Prince of Wales American Regiment, Colonel Montfort Browne’s 181 veteran regulars trained and equipped by British, under Major John Cardon
• British Legion (Tarleton’s corps) 160 dragoons and light infantry, Capt. Kenneth McCullock, note: Tarleton was in Charleston during the battle
• British Legion Reinforcement from Rocky Mount (Tarleton’s corps) 40 of cavalry company recruited in the south, Captain Patrick Stewart and Capt. Charles McDonald
• Royal North Carolina Regiment, regulars, Lt. Colonel John Hamilton in charge. This veteran regiment of mainly loyalist Scots had fought well at Savannah in 1779 as well as alongside British regulars in several major actions prior to Hanging Rock.
• Assortment of Militia that Included
  • North Carolina Volunteers under Colonel Samuel Bryan that included Colonel Thomas ‘Burntfoot’ Brown’s Rangers (Brown was not present), Major Davie had destroyed three companies of this unit in his July 30^th attack on their encampment outside the garrison SC Camden District Loyalist Militias, Colonel Henry Rugeley and Major John Cook
  • SC Camden District, 1 company of 34 men under Captain Adam Thompson

American Force under Brigadier General Thomas Sumter of South Carolina Militia

• Approximate 800 men, the account of Major Davie stated 500 NC under himself and Colonel Irwin and 300 SC under Sumter who assumed overall command. Militia sizes were generally small, the larger units around 30 men with many far smaller.
• Militia from South Carolina Included
  • Turkey Creek Regiment, 13 companies led by Colonel Edward Lacey
  • New Acquisition Dist. Regiment, 9 companies led by Col. Samuel Watson
  • Fairfield Regiment, 8 companies commanded by Colonel Richard Winn
  • Kershaw Regiment, 6 companies led by Lt. Colonel John Marshall
  • 2^nd Spartan Regiment, 4 companies led by Lt. Colonel James Steen
  • Little River Dist. Regiment, 3 detached companies commanded by Colonel James Williams
  • Camden Dist. Regiment, 3 detached companies led by Colonel Thomas Taylor
  • 1^st Spartan Regiment, 2 detached companies led by Major John Moore and Major William Smith
  • Hill’s Regiment of Light Dragoons, 2 detached companies led by Col. William Hill
  • Lower Dist. Regiment, 1 company led by Captain Joseph Humphries
  • Orangeburgh Dist. Regiment, 1 company commanded by Captain John McKenzie
• Militia from North Carolina
  • Mecklenburg County Regiment, 200 men in 13 companies led by Colonel Robert Irwin(e)
  • Independent Corps of Light Horse, 8 companies led by Major William Richardson Davie
  • Wilkes County Regiment, 4 detached regiments commanded by Major Francis Hargrove
• Catawba Native Americans, 35 warriors led by General New River
• Georgia Militia, 1 company led by Captain Coleman

Battle of Hanging Rock, August 6, 1780

Shortly after midnight Sumter’s force arrived within two miles of the British camp. They knew, from Davie’s previous intelligence, that the enemy was “strongly posted in three different encampments” behind makeshift earthen works. The entire British position was along hillsides surrounded by open fields and scattered woods. Together the three distinct camps formed somewhat of a crescent stretching along the Camden Road. On the right were the Prince of Wales regulars under Major Carden (some early secondary sources place this unit in the center). In the center, among some buildings and fencing, were Tarleton’s Legion under Captain McCullock and the veteran Royal North Carolina regulars led by Lt. Colonel Hamilton. On the left were the militia that included Bryan’s North Carolina Volunteers, minus the three companies that Major Davie had cut to pieces on July 30^th, and ‘Burntfoot’ Brown’s rangers, plus remaining South Carolina Loyalists.

Davie wrote that the loyalist militia were “about nine hundred some distance on the [enemy] left, and separated from the centre-camp by a skirt of wood. Early author William Dobein James noted that the Tory militia position was covered with trees and between opposing forces ran a small stream of water through a valley covered with brushwood. Colonel William Hill’s memoir stated that “they had to march across a water course & climb a steep cliff…” As to the enemy center and right Davie wrote, “the position of the regular troops could not be approached without an entire exposure of the assailants, and a Creek with a deep ravine covered the whole front of the Tory camp.” Here author James added that in the center was a field piece, a three-pounder also known as a grasshopper. 

Upon arriving, Sumter immediately called a council of war to plan the morning assault. His plan was simple, proposing to divide his force into three columns, ride toward the center encampment, dismount, and each column or division advance over open ground to attack their assigned camp. Davie wrote that this plan was approved by all the officers except himself. He argued that the horses should remain and the men should march to fully on foot to attack “urging the confusion [was] always consequent on dismounting under a fire and the certainty of losing the effect of a sudden and vigorous attack; this objection was however overruled, The divisions were soon settled…”

At 6 am on the morning of August 6^th, Sumter’s force crossed hanging Rock Creek and rode toward the center camp. With General Thomas Sumter in overall command, the right rebel column, led by Major William Richardson Davie and his North Carolinians, was to attack the loyalist militia camp on the enemy’s left. With Davie was South Carolina’s Fairfield County Militia’s 8 companies under Colonel Richard Winn plus some detached companies of S. Carolina. The center column, who were to come up against Tarleton’s Legionnaires and the veteran loyalist regulars, was commanded by Colonel Robert Irwin and the largest regiment in the rebel force; 200 men in 13 companies, those of the Mecklenburg North Carolina Regiment. The rebel left that was to assault the enemy encamped on their right, defended by the Prince of Wales regulars under garrison commander Major Carden, was led by South Carolina’s Colonel William Hill. Among Hill’s detached companies were units of South Carolina.

While Sumter’s men advanced to attack, had fate not stepped in, rerouting the rebel columns, the battle recorded in historical accounts would most likely have amounted to a bloody repulse and patriot defeat. Though Sumter was a magnet and well suited to recruit and arouse men to action, as a battle tactician and scholar of military procedures, he was amazingly ill prepared. His plan to unhorse his men in full view of the Tory line, then launch a frontal assault against an enemy who had the advantage of a clear field of fire, was a prescription for disaster. The force dismounted and left their horses in the care of men without weapons and young boys, among them was future president, 13-year-old North Carolina militiaman, Andrew Jackson of Major Davie’s regiment. Davie recorded the rebel militia advance, “…the army turned to the left of the road to avoid the enemy’s picquet and patrole, with intention to return to it under the cover of a defile near the camp but the guides [local scouts were used] through ignorance or timidity led them so far to the left, that the right and center divisions fell together with the left upon the Tory encampment [militia on the enemy right]”

The entire rebel assault would therefore fall upon the loyalist militia, the weakest point of the British line. The result was an immediate and complete rout of that encampment that exposed the rest of the British line to a flank attack. As Davie wrote, “these devoted people [loyalist militia] were briskly attacked both in front & flank and soon routed with great slaughter…” According to militiaman Daniel Stinson, the rebel force ascended the bluff and attacked with vigor as they “rushed forward right into [Colonel Samuel] Bryan’s camp, fired two rounds and then clubbing their muskets, rid the field. The Tories fled towards the British camp about a half mile distant.” The entire left of Tory militia had been completely overrun in a matter of minutes.

The rebel militia chased after the remaining loyalist militia racing toward the center still manned by Legionnaires and regulars. Davie continued the narrative, “…as the Americans pressed on in pursuit of the Tories who fled towards the center encampment they received a fire from 160 of the Legion Infantry and some companies of Hamilton’s regiment [Royal North Carolina regulars] posted behind a fence…” The veteran regular infantrymen poured a devastating volley, but as Davie wrote, the surge of rebel militiamen would not be stopped, “their [rebel militia] impetuosity was not checked a moment by this unexpected discharge, they rushed forward, and the Legion Infantry immediately broke and mingled in the flight of the Loyalists, yielding their camp without another struggle to the militia…”

With the left and center rolled up, the British right, manned by the Prince of Wales Regiment under its Major John Cardon made a stand. Davie wrote, “…at this moment a part of Col. Browns [Colonel Montfort Browne] regiment had nearly changed the fate of the day, they passed by a bold and skillful maneuvre into the wood between the centre & Tory encampment, drew up unperceived, and poured a Heavy fire on the Militia forming, from the disorder of the pursuit, on the flank of the encampment…”  Browne’s men had fallen back into the woods and for a short period, had a tactically secure position to unleash musket fire under fifty yards.

But the momentum was with the rebel force. With a coolness under fire, usually reserved for veteran Continental troops, Sumter’s men took position in the woods and returned a deadly rifle fire. With most of the Prince of Wales’ regular officers down,  they were soon overrun with few escaping. Davie wrote, “these brave men [rebel militia] took instinctively to the trees and bush heaps and returned the fire with deadly effect, in a few minutes there was not a British officer standing, one half of the regiment had fallen, and the others on being offered quarters threw down their arms; the remainder of the British line who had also made a movement to their right now retreated hastily towards their former position and drew up in the center of the cleared grounds in the form of a Hollow Square.” At this stage in the fight, while Tory regulars formed square, now under the command of Legion Captain John Rousselte (it was reported that Major Carden had lost his nerve and turned over command to the Legionnaire) there was a battle for one of the captured three-pounder cannon. Some secondary sources stated that was left Prince of Wales Regiment and some Legionnaires staged a bayonet attack to obtain its return before retreating. This could not be substantiated in firsthand accounts nor modern secondary sources.

While the remaining Tory force drew up in a square with fixed bayonets outward and protected by two 3-pounder cannon, most of Sumter’s men fell upon the main Tory camp, now vacant. Author John Buchanan wrote, “…men who had attacked with elan and displayed intrepid behavior under fire fell apart. The lure of loot overwhelmed them.” Hundreds plundered the camp seeking ‘treasures’ among the baggage, but when the British stash of rum was discovered, hundreds more became drunk. Though Sumter and his officers implored them to return to duty, for them, the battle was over. Only Davie’s dragoons, around 80 in number, and 200 other militia could be formed on the edge of the forest to carry on the fight. Their fire from the woods directed at the British square proved ineffective because of the long range of open field. With most of his men out of action and his ammunition nearly spent, after three hours of continuous fighting, Sumter knew the battle was drawing to a close. Claiming victory, he ordered his men to return to the looted camp to finish the plunder. Then gather the rest of his militia and organize a retreat to camp on the Catawba.

As if an epilogue to the fight, Davie recorded that while the British square was fired upon, some Legion infantry along with Hamilton’s regulars were “observed rallying & forming in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the British camp, [probably detached from the defensive square] and least they might be induced to take the Americans in flank. Major Davie [speaking in third person] passed round the camp under cover of the trees, and charged them with his company of Dragoons, these people under the impressions of defeat were all routed and dispersed in a few minutes by this hand full of men.”  And while Sumter was returning to the camp to draw up his command, a unit of Tarleton’s Legion cavalry appeared on the Camden Road, sent as reinforcements from Rocky Mount. Davie’s trusted cavalry charged them and as Davie wrote, “but on being charged by the dragoons of Davie’s corps they all took the woods in flight & one only was cut down. A retreat was by this time absolutely necessary —”

Casualties

Casualties for both sides have been erratically reported over time. For the British, Colonel Sumter reported that 130 Loyalists were killed and a proportionate number were wounded. Modern accounts agree on approximately 25 Tories killed and 175 wounded. Author Lyman Draper wrote that Tarleton’s Legion lost 62 of their infantry killed and wounded and that the Prince of Wales Regiment was no longer considered an effective fighting force, having been virtually wiped out. Lt. Anthony Allaire, in his memoir of the war, wrote that “Brown’s corps [Prince of Wales] suffered heavily, three officers killed and three wounded…” Unfortunately, Major Davie’s sketches left blank the number of killed and wounded. As to captured, again the numbers vary. Lt. Allaire stated that a hundred were captured. Sumter set the number of prisoners at 73 which has been generally accepted by modern accounts.

As for Americans, Davie wrote that “The American loss was never actually ascertained in this action owing to the want of proper returns and many of the wounded being carried immediately home from the action.”  Sumter estimated in his report that 20 were killed, 40 wounded, and 10 were missing. Modern secondary sources range from 12 killed to as many as 40 killed, but basically agree with Sumter on 40 wounded.

Of American officers, 4 were killed. Davie wrote among those were Cap [George] Reed of N Carolina and Cap [John] McClure of S Carolina. So too killed was Capt. Henry Bishop of S Carolina and Captain Charles McKee of N Carolina.  Of wounded officers, there were 10.  Davie wrote they included “Major Wynn [Colonel Richard Winn] and Colonel [William] Hill of South Carolina. Of North Carolina wounded Davie reported Ensign McClure [actually of S. Carolina – James and brother of killed John McClure], Captain [Robert] Craighead [who was saved by a Catawba Native American], and Lt. Fleneken [Captain Samuel Flanagan]. Also wounded were Capt. Luke Petty of N. Carolina (who lost an arm),  Captain James Mitchell of S. Carolina, Capt. Hugh Knox of S. Carolina, and Capt. Alexander Campbell of S. Carolina.

Aftermath

It took a while for Sumter’s men to finish looting the camp and begin their retreat; many so roaringly drunk, they had to stagger through preparations. Davie succinctly wrote that “about an Hour was employed in plundering the camp, taking the paroles of the British officers, and preparing litters for the wounded; all this was transacted in full view of the British army who in the meantime consoled themselves with some military music & an interlude of 3 cheers for King Geore, which was immediately answered by 3 cheers and the Hero of American Liberty [assumed to be Washington]; the militia at length got into the line of march in three columns, Davie’s corps covering the rear, but as they were loaded with plunder, encumbered with their wounded friends, and many of them intoxicated, it is easy to conceive that this retreat could not be performed according to the rules of the most approved tacticks, However under all these disadvantages they filed off unmolested along the front of the Enemy about 1 O’clock.”

Though Sumter did not destroy the garrison at Hanging Rock, the action was a clear-cut rebel victory. British trained, disciplined, and equipped Tory regulars were expected to be key in recapturing the Carolinas. The fact that a determined band of rebel militia could attack and defeat veteran partisan troops was unsettling for English commanders. Especially having inflicted such a large number of killed and wounded. Nineteenth century historian Lyman C. Draper wrote “Cornwallis was heard to say that no battle fell heavier on the British, considering the numbers engaged, the battle of Bunker Hill expected.”

The British prisoners and wounded were taken to Charlotte to keep them out of striking distance of the British Regulars. The badly-wounded Major John McClure was also taken to Charlotte, where he died two weeks later. Major William Richardson Davie later wrote that his corps, “suffered much while tying their horses under a heavy fire from the Tories.” He vowed he would never serve under Col. Thomas Sumter again.

Soon after, a patched up and reinforced Southern Continental Army arrived at South Carolina under newly appointed hero of Saratoga, Major General Horatio Gates. Gates called for local Carolina militia to join him. Sumter, true to form, was set on pursuing his own victories. Rather than join General Gates’ Continentals, he boldly requested Gates send him troops to capture a pair of British wagon trains. Incredibly, Gates grated Sumter’s request. He sent the over-zealous militia general a company of artillery, 300 North Carolina militia, and what was mind boggling, 100 Maryland Continentals; among Gates’ best soldiers.

Sumter did capture the baggage trains, but instead of heeding Gates’ call to join up, he casually marched his troops north towards Charlotte, North Carolina to deposit his prisoners from Hanging Rock. Gates’ army was destroyed by the British army under General Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of Camden, August 16, 1780. Cornwallis’ knew that Sumter had taken his supply trains and still had a large number of much needed British regular prisoners from Hanging Rock. He dispatched fast-moving Tarleton Legion after Sumter. Tarleton hoped to not only annihilate Sumter’s militia force, but seek revenge for the mauling of his detached legionnaires at Hanging Rock. At the Battle of Fishing Creek, August 18, 1780, just two days after Camden, Tarleton surprised Sumter’s camp which had been left surprisingly unguarded. Sumter’s force was decimated and his troops scattered to the wind. But the resilient Sumter soon gathered another, even larger force of militia to once more pick at ripe British targets.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THE WAR IN THE SOUTH, CHECK OUT THESE GREAT BOOKS ON AMAZON

SIMILAR ARTICLES ON REVOLUTIONARY WAR JOURNAL

Battle of Rocky Mount

Battle of Hanging Rock: Patriot Major Davie Strikes First

Southern Militia in the American Revolution

Huck’s Defeat

 

Road to Camden: The Southern War of the American Revolution

Battle of Fishing Creek

Battle of Waxhaws: Tarleton’s Quarter

RESOURCES

Allaire, Anthony.  Diary of Lieut. Anthony Allaire.  1881: Lyman Copeland Draper. 1968: Arno Press, Inc., New York, NY.

Buchanan, John.  The Road to Guilford Courthouse. 1997: John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, NY.

Crawford, Alan Pell.  This Fierce People, The Untold Story of America’s Revolution in the South.  2024: Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.

Draper, Lyman C.  King’s Mountain and Its Heroes: History of the Battle of King’s Mountain, October 7^th, 1780, and the Events Which Led to It. 1881: P. G. Thompson, New York, NY.

Fabel, R. F. A. “Montfort Browne’s Corps: The Prince of Wales American Volunteers,” Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 70, No. 283 (Autumn 1992), pp 157-173.

“Hanging Rock.”  The American Revolution in South Carolina. 

Hill, William edited by A. S. Salley Jr.  Colonel William Hill’s Memoirs of the Revolution. 1921: The Historical Commission of South Carolina, Columbia, S. Carolina.

James, William Dobein.  A Sketch of the Life of Brigadier General Francis Marion.  1821: Gould & Riley, 2009: Echo Library & Project Gutenberg.

Pugh, Robert C. “The Revolutionary Militia in the Southern Campaign, 1780 – 1781” The William ad Mary Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 2 (April, 1957), pp 154-175.

Robinson, Blackwell P.  The Revolutionary War Sketches of William R. Davie.  1976: North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Southern, Edward – editor.  Voices of the American Revolution in the Carolinas. 2009: John F. Blair Publisher, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Walter, Edgar.  Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution. 2001: Harper Collins, New York, NY.

Wood, J. W.  Battles of the Revolutionary War 1775-1781. 1990: Da Capo Press, Cambridge, MA.