Battle of Rugeley’s Mill, South Carolina, November 30, 1780, not December 4th,[1] was a battle in name only. Eighty American dragoons, light horse cavalry under Lt. Colonel William Washington (distant cousin of General George Washington) attacked 109-112 loyalists[2] led by Colonel Henry Rugeley. The King’s Men were secured in a fortified barn surrounded by a ditch and abatis (sharpened pikes facing outward). But after a brief exchange of musket fire that resulted in no casualties, the loyalists surrendered. The reason; the defenders were tricked. Though strong defenses could ward off an assault three times the number of Washington’s dragoons, it was indefensible against artillery. But Colonel Washington had no cannon. He did; however, demonstrate ingenuity in constructing one of the first recorded usage of what has been called the Quaker Cannon – a fake gun.
Background
Charleston, South Carolina fell on April 12, 1780, resulting in the capture of the Southern Continental Army. British General Lord Cornwallis immediately infiltrated the backcountry and established several outposts to pacify the colony. A resurrected Southern Continental Army led by newly appointed Major General Horatio Gates (the hero of Saratoga)[3], marched to Camden, South Carolina (130 miles northwest of Charleston) to confront Cornwallis. Gates literally ran into Cornwallis’ army and had no choice but to fight. The Battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, resulted in the annihilation of most of the American army. Continental remnants retreated north and established headquarters at Hillsborough, North Carolina, forty miles south of the Virginia border. Though tarnished by his loss, Gates would remain in command while Washington sought his replacement. To the soiled general’s credit, he immediately contacted one of America’s finest commanders, Colonel Daniel Morgan,[4] who had resigned to return home. Gates promised Morgan a brigadier commission if the rifleman would command a battalion of light troops.[5]
Morgan arrived at Hillsborough on October 7, 1780 and assumed command of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia Continental light troops,[6] including Colonel William Washington’s 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons. Soon after, Gates instructed Morgan to march south to the North and South Carolina border region and harass the enemy when possible. The new brigadier arrived at Charlotte, North Carolina on November 25th. He immediately began campaigning in the eighty-five mile area between Charlotte and Camden, South Carolina. Morgan was also assigned to obtain information on Cornwallis’ army’s movements at Winnsboro, South Carolina, forty-five miles northwest of Camden. When Major General Nathanael Greene would later take over command of the southern army on December 6th, Gates had already shifted headquarters to Charlotte.[7] Greene would instruct Morgan to carry on his mission in the region.
Henry Rugeley and the Mill that Bears His Name
Henry Rugeley, profitable planter and merchant lived in Clermont (Rugeley’s Mill), South Carolina, twelve miles north of Camden on the strategic road that ran north to Charlotte, North Carolina (about 115 miles). Rugeley had swayed in his support of patriots or loyalists, depending on which side had taken the advantage in the conflict. Early in May, 1780, after Charleston fell, South Carolina Governor John Rutledge and a few of his councilmen escaped capture and sought refuge with Colonel Abraham Buford’s troops. Henry Rugeley supplied short housing for the Governor’s party seeking refuge in North Carolina. British Lt. Colonel Banaster Tarleton and his Legion of horse was ordered by General Cornwallis to capture the governor. When Rugeley learned that Tarleton was only twelve miles south at Camden, he roused Rutledge in the middle of the night and whisked him and his councilors on their way to Charlotte. Tarleton discovered Colonel Buford’s command nearby and attacked them at the Battle of Waxhaws, or Buford’s Massacre. This allowed Governor Rutledge time to escape.
After the Battle of Camden and decimation of the American army, Rugeley turned his support to the King. He accepted a commission as colonel of loyalist militia, fortifying his barn of strong logs at his mill and popular trading post into Fort Rugeley at Clermont; in present Kershaw County. The barn, laced with loopholes from which to fire musket, was surrounded by abatis and a ditch. A second story platform was constructed from which musket fire could be poured down upon attackers. During the Battle of Hanging Rock, August 6, 1780, Rugeley’s loyalists performed well while holding the center of the line. After the war, his holdings in South Carolina were forfeited and he settled in Jamaica.
Morgan Sends Delaware Company of Light Infantry and Washington’s Dragoons
Morgan received reports that loyalist militia were leaving their posts at Winnsboro and attacking patriot militia supply wagons in the Lynches Creek Region, around 20 miles north of Camden. It was also reported that a large number of King’s Men had assembled at nearby Rugeley’s Mill, about eight miles further south, Colonel Henry Rugeley commanding. According to Lt. Thomas Anderson’s diary,[8] of the Delaware Company, as confirmed by Captain Kirkwood, commander of the same, in his Orderly Book, Morgan’s light infantry and Lt. Colonel Washington’s 3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons marched towards Camden, South Carolina on November 28th. Anderson wrote: “[November] 28 Received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments warning; accordingly left our tents standing, with all our sick behind, and marched to Twelve Mile Creek – this creek is the line between North and South Carolina. From thence we marched to Hanging Rock, [about 50 miles south of Charlotte] where the Infantry remained whilst Colonel Washington, with his Cavalry went down to Colonel Rudgely’s.”[9] Washington’s corps of cavalry were 80 strong and guided by Major Joseph McJunkin and Thomas Young of the 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia.[10]
Attack & Quaker Cannon
On November 30, 1780, Colonel Washington left the infantry at Hanging Rock, South Carolina, and rode around fifty miles further south to Clermont and Rugeley’s Mill. Thinking his numbers sufficient for a quick attack against reported to be about 100 loyalist militia defenders, he was surprised to find Colonel Rugeley’s home and trading post heavily fortified. Sharpened stakes (abatis) and a ditch surrounded a large logged barn with loop holes for firing plus a platform for musketeers built on the second floor. Though impressive, the fortification would not stand up to an artillery bombardment. But Washington did not bring field cannon. He ordered his men to open fire on the barn with muskets which was answered in kind. Little or no damage was done to the structure and both sides reported no casualties. Impatient for a long siege, Washinton turned to what has been termed the Quaker Gun.
In one of the first recorded use of timber as a fake cannon, his men cut a pine log then smoothed and painted the end black, simulating a cannon barrel. The Quaker Gun was drawn up to the edge of a field, with just the barrel protruding from the forest; hiding the fact the ‘gun’ was positioned on its pine limbs and not a gun carriage. Washington then demanded the fort to surrender or he would blast the barn to smithereens. Colonel Rugeley looked across his field of fire and spotted the cannon, knowing the truth behind Washington’s threat as his barn could not withstand the pounding from cannon shot. He immediately capitulated and marched his men out of his fort which was quickly put to the torch.
According to Captain Kirkwood of the captive loyalists, “Consisting of one Col. one Majr. and 107 privates.”[11] Lt Anderson was a little more detailed writing “…with the deception of a pine log took the garrison, consisting of one Colonel, Major John Cook, three Captains, Four Lieutenants, and one hundred rank and file.”[12] Washington knew he could not risk marching a large number of prisoners north, especially so close to Cornwallis’ mounted Legions. Therefore, all were paroled which basically ended Colonel Henry Rugleley’s military career with the British. Morgan’s detachment returned to camp near Charlotte on December 2nd, four days before their new commander arrived to relieve General Horatio Gates; Major General Nathanael Greene.
Historical Texts and Articles Incorrectly List December 4, 1780
Confusion abounds in many historical accounts as to the date Colonel Washington took Rugeley’s Mill. Most second hand accounts list December 4, 1780. This incorrect date can be traced to early historian David Ramsay’s 1785 text on the war in South Carolina, in which he stated the battle occurred on December 4th.[13] Ramsay did not offer a citation. However, primary sources, Captain Kirkwood’s Orderly Book, considered highly accurate, and Lt. Anderson’s diary (both men in the Delaware Company that marched with Colonel Washington) recorded that after Rugeley’s Mill was taken by Washington’s cavalry, he returned to Hanging Rock to join the infantry. The two Delaware officers are very clear that all returned to camp, outside Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 2nd. Therefore, Rugeley’s Mill occurred at least four days before December 4th.
So too, some historians mistakenly place the date of action as December 2, 1780. They misunderstood Kirkwood’s and Anderson’s writing that they returned to camp on December 2nd. If camp was Hanging Rock, South Carolina, then the action could very well have taken place on the 2nd. But, as Kirkwood clearly states, as does Anderson, referencing camp, it is the camp from which they started, Charlotte. The action could not take place on the same day, 100 miles south, as when the detachment returned to Charlotte, December 2nd.
The most likely date of the action was November 30, 1780. Kirkwood and Anderson are clear that Morgan’s detachment left all tents and supplies behind and marched from Charlotte on November 28. Given infantry traveled around 25 miles a day when forced marched without baggage, this would place the detachment at Hanging Rock, fifty miles south of Charlotte, the night of November 29th. Washington’s cavalry probably left very early on the 30th, before dawn, and rode the fifty miles on established road to Rugeley’s Mill. The Quaker Cannon was quickly constructed and the ruse immediately successful. Kirkwood does not record that prisoners were marched north. Anderson said prisoners were returned to camp.
Aftermath
New commander of the Southern Continental Army, General Nathanael Greene would take a more active role in positioning his army nearer his enemy to harass and keep an eye on all movements. Late December, Greene would split the Continental Army so to maintain adequate food, forage, and supplies. Morgan was sent west of Cornwallis’ headquarters at Winnsboro, while Greene moved his main army further east, over a hundred miles separating the two Continental forces. After Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton’s disastrous battle with Morgan at Cowpens, Cornwallis would gamble the survival of his army by pursuing Greene back to Virginia in what has been termed the Race to the Dan. An act that wore down his army so that after his Pyrrhic Victory at Guilford Courthouse on March 15th, and the loss of a third of his command, His Lordship was forced to march south to Wilmington, South Carolina, where he sought rest and resupplied. Meanwhile Greene was free to go after the numerous British outposts spaced throughout South Carolina, eventually driving the British forces back to Charleston, South Carolina where they were bottled up until war’s end.
Years later, the Quaker Gun was put to common use by the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Of note is the use of fake guns in 1862 at Corinth, Mississippi, to fool the pursuing Union Army after the Battle of Shiloh. The use of Quaker Guns lining the Confederate trenches led General Halleck to believe that the Confederate Army was still in force behind their defenses at Corinth. When in fact they had already withdrawn. So too, in the dying days of the war, General Lee lined his defenses at Petersburg, Virginia, with log guns to help keep General Grants troops at bay.
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Reference
Bellesiles Michael (ed). “Henry Rugeley.” Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, Library of Military History. Encyclopedia.com
Boyle, Joseph Lee. “The Journal of Thomas Anderson, Delaware Regiment, Part 1, May 1780–March 1781.” July 25, 2023. All Things Liberty..
Buchanan, John. The Road to Charleston: Nathanael Greene and the America Revolution. 2019: University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, VA.
Kirkwood, Captain Robert & Editor Joseph Brown Turner. The Journal and Order Book of Captain Robert Kirkwood of the Delaware Regiment of the Continental Line. 1910: The Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware.
Murphey, Daniel. William Washington, American Light Dragoon: A Continental Cavalry Leader in the War of Independence. 2020: Westholme Publishing, Yardley, Pennsylvania.
Ramsay, David. The History of the Revolution in South Carolina Volume II. 1785: Printed by Isaac Collins, Trenton, New Jersey.
Schwertfeger, Rick. “‘Let This Be Your Flag’ — Cavalry Action In The Southern Backcountry.” September 15, 2017. Frontier Partisans by Jim Cornelius.
Endnotes
[1] December 4th has been widely accepted as the date for Rugeley’s Mill (some also listing Dec. 2nd). But this is incorrect. Very early historian David Ramsay briefly described the incident in his 1785 text on the War in South Carolina. In it he stated this occurred on December 4th, without citation. Two major primary sources (Captain Kirkwood and Lt. Anderson) contradict this with documented log statements.
[2] Ramsay stated 112 loyalists and primary source Kirkwood 109.
[3] General Gates had commanded the Northern American Army in 1777. He was tasked to delay British General Johnny Burgoyne’s army in their march towards Albany, New York. Gates set up several defensive positions north of Albany at Saratoga. A cautious man, he conflicted heavily with General Benedict Arnold who wanted to take the offensive after the large number of New England militiamen answered the call to arms against Burgoyne. Arnold, with Daniel Morgan’s riflemen, fought two major battles against Burgoyne which sapped the British army’s strength. Stranded and cut off from supplies, Burgoyne was forced to surrender. Though many credit Arnold’s aggressive attacks on the British as the true hero of Saratoga, Arnold was wounded and Gates took all the credit for the American victory, becoming the darling of Congress.
[4] General Gates had been a longtime friend of the leader of the famed Morgan’s Rifle. Gates commanded the American army during the battles of Saratoga (Sept. 19th and Oct. 7th). Morgan was instrumental in the American victory and surrender of British General Johnny Burgoyne’s army on October 17, 1777.
[5] Morgan was in Virginia, having left Washington’s army on June 30, 1779. He resigned, protesting that Congress had passed over him several times for promotion to brigadier. He returned to active duty in late September 1780 when Gates assured him that he would finally get his commission. Congress passed his promotion on Oct. 13, 1780.
[6] Colonel Kirkwood’s Orderly Book of October 7, 1780.
[7] Gates had moved his headquarters to Charlotte, NC on November 27, 1780.
[8] Lt. Thomas Anderson was in the 1st Delaware which by November 1780, due to many having been killed, wounded, and captured at the Battle of Camden, had been reduced to one company.
[9] Boyle, Journal of Thomas Anderson
[10] Militiaman Daniel Ramsey reported in his pension application to have been with South Carolina militia under Col. Andrew Pickens and North Carolina militia under Col. William Moore, but historians have only placed Washington’s 80 cavalry present at Rugeley’s Mill.
[11] Kirkwood, pg. 13.
[12] Boyle, Journal of Thomas Anderson
[13] Ramsay, pg. 187.