Tag «Rebel»

Battle of Blue Savannah: Francis Swamp Fox Marion

Francis Swamp Fox Marion and his band of rebel followers.

The Battle of Blue Savannah, September 4, 1780, was the second victory in as many weeks for Francis ‘Swamp Fox’ Marion leading partisan militia. The former commander of the 2nd South Carolina Continental Regiment had just scored his first victory against British Regular troops near Nelson’s Ferry on the Santee River at the Battle of …

Southern Militia in the American Revolution

Militia attack through woods. Artwork by F C Yohn

“…we were a set of men acting entirely on our own footing, without the promise or expectation of pay.” –Militiaman Sixteen-year-old James Potter Collins Back country southern militiamen were cut from a far different mold than their northern counterparts. The war in the north, by design, was one of organized armies that marched, positioned along …

Battle of Hanging Rock: Patriot Major Davie Strikes First

militia firing

July 30, 1780: American Victory. One week prior to the main Battle of Hanging Rock, a rebel reconnaissance mission surprised and butchered a loyalist force within view of a large British garrison. In July, 1780, militiamen of North and South Carolina flocked to the patriot banner of rebel leader Colonel Thomas Sumter after the July …

First Battle of Cedar Springs

Militia loading and firing.

This battle or large skirmish between partisan militia forces occurred on July 12, 1780. A rebel victory, though small in comparison, it gains importance when considered the first of many skirmishes and battles between loyalist and patriot forces that lead to the all-decisive Battle of King’s Mountain, October 7, 1780. On May 12, 1780, two …

Life in the Continental Army Camp During the American Revolution

Contrary to general belief, the term ‘rebel’ was not used solely when referring to Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. It was first commonly applied to Americans who fought for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. The British often referred to the rebellious rabble that formed a new government and army …