PDF - Olde English District

1. Hi stori c Ca mden Revo lutio na ry Wa r Si te
Washington and Tarleton duel at Cowpens. By Wm. Ranney
“Here began the first link in a chain of evils that followed each other in
regular succession until they at last ended in the total loss of America.”
Come spend a few peaceful hours where the British spent a rough
year. After his success in Charleston, Lord Cornwallis immediately
came to Camden and set up supply headquarters. The museum
complex includes the 18th century town site, furnished 1789 Craven
House, reconstructed and furnished Kershaw-Cornwallis House,
reconstructed military fortifications and two log cabins with exhibits.
Open except major holidays Tue-Sat 10–5, Sun. 2–5
Self guided tour, movie, museum shop, picnic area & nature trail free.
Guided tours, Tues.–Sun. Admission. Location: 222 Broad Street.
Directions: From I-20 take exit 98. Turn onto Hwy. 521 toward
Camden. The site is 1.4 miles on the right.
Telephone: 803-432-9841 email: [email protected]
www.historic-camden.net
2. Winns bor o
T
ravel the trail of colonial life and revolutionary resistance. Explore sites where eighteenth century Carolinians
lived, where contending armies were headquartered…Camden, Old
Salem, and Hillsborough. See the battlefields of Kings Mountain,
Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse, where great armies fought, and
American independence was won. Explore life during that time—
horrible war with brother fighting brother, great battles, small skirmishes, fascinating strategy and even peaceful hamlets.
Many Carolinians living in the backcountry had resolved prior to
1776 to resist authority, but the war hit them with full force after the
fall of Charleston, SC, to the British in May of 1780. Then, deep in
the interior of the Carolinas, the persecution of area citizens by
British Colonel Banastre Tarleton’s men stirred resentment. Later,
the battle cry “Tarleton’s Quarter!” rallied the militia. The Patriots
struck back with victories encouraging further resistance until the
backcountry was in an absolute state of rebellion. Lord Charles
Cornwallis, retreating from Charlotte, called it a “hornet’s nest.”
Follow the path of the armies in the Carolinas’ Backcountry. Stand
in the shadows of courageous fighters who practiced guerilla warfare. Rediscover the spirit of the American Revolution.
Winnsboro, named after the prominent Patriot leader Richard
Winn, was settled in 1775. Its self-guided walking tour features a
view of the Cornwallis House, the winter headquarters for the
British general. Lord Cornwallis gave Fairfield County (where
Winnsboro is located) its name in 1780. While he and his troops
occupied the town, he looked over the countryside and remarked,
“What fair fields.”
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9–5 Chamber at Town Clock. Walking Tours,
Brochures available on weekends from the downtown merchants.
Directions: Hwy. 34 turns into Hwy. 321 Business, which becomes
South Congress Street. The Town Clock is on the right in the center
of downtown.
Telephone: 803-635-4242 www.fairfieldchamber.org
¡ 4. Andr ew Ja ckson Sta te Pa rk
Boyhood home of President Andrew Jackson, nestled in the heart of
the Waxhaws. The British repeatedly ravaged this frontier settlement
because of its inhabitants fierce support for the Revolution. This
homeplace is now Andrew Jackson State Park featuring a museum,
interpreting the South Carolina Backcountry life and a replica 18th
century schoolhouse. Admission charged.
Hours: November–March 8–6, April–October 9–9
Directions: Located nine miles north of Lancaster on Hwy. 521,
196 Andrew Jackson Park Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Telephone: 803-285-3344 southcarolinaparks.com
5 . Histo ric B ra ttonsvi ll e—Huck’s Defea t
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10–5 Sun. 1–5. Open year round. Closed:
Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day & Christmas Eve and day. Scheduled
Living History Programs feature costumed interpreters. Directions:
From Charlotte, take I-77 south to exit 82B. Travel southwest on
Cherry Road. Proceed through Rock Hill. Cherry Road becomes
Highway 322. Follow Highway 322 approx. 10 miles. Turn left onto
Brattonsville Road and proceed two miles to the Visitor Center.
Telephone: 803-684-2327 www.chmuseums.org
3. L andsfo rd Ca na l State P ar k
Colonial reenactment at Historic Brattonsville, SC.
Hours, admissions and schedule subject to change at listed attractions.
13. Tannenbaum Hi stor ic P ark
Tannenbaum Historic Park preserves a portion of the 18th century
farmstead of Joseph Hoskins. During the Revolutionary War Battle of
Guilford Courthouse, Hoskins’ land served as a staging area for
British troops under Cornwallis’ command.
Historic buildings, Explore History programs and The Colonial
Heritage Center exhibits depict life before, during and after the Battle
of Guilford Courthouse. Free Admission. Call for tours of historic district.
Hours: Tues.–Sat. 10–4
Location: 2200 New Garden Rd., Greensboro, NC. 27410
Telephone: 336-545-5315 email: [email protected]
www.march1781.org
14. Greensboro Histor ica l Museum
From maps and weapons to documents from General Greene and
George Washington, an 18th Century restored house, and objects from
the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, the Revolutionary War enthusiasts
will revel in the Museum’s wealth of displays. Free admission.
Renovations during 2009-10 – call ahead for exhibit availability.
Living History can be found at many sites.
11. Old Sa lem
Although the Moravians in Salem took no active military role in the
Revolution, their neutrality was tested by both sides. Salem was
briefly occupied by the British in February of 1781. Moravians celebrated war’s end with a day of thanksgiving. Today, Old Salem is one
of the country’s most authentic living history towns. Call for rates.
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 9:30–4:30, Sun. 1–5
Location: Off I-40 (exit 193B) and U.S. 52 (exit 108C )
Winston-Salem, NC 27108 www.oldsalem.org
Telephone: 888-OLD-SALEM or 336-721-7350
12. Guil ford Courthouse National Mi litary Park
Hours: Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 2–5, Closed city holidays.
Location: 130 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC. 27401
Telephone: 336-373-2043 www.greensborohistory.org
15. Al amance Battlegrou nd State Hi stori c Si te
In the Battle of Alamance (May 16, 1771), Royal Governor William
Tryon led North Carolina militia that crushed an army of rebellious
backcountry farmers, ending the War of Regulation. The battle was
illustrative of the dissatisfaction of a large segment of the colonial
population that would later participate in the struggle for independence. Free admission.
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 9–5
Location: 5803 South NC. Hwy. 62, Burlington,NC. 27215
Directions: Six miles south of I-85/40, Exit 143, NC Hwy 62,
Telephone: 336-227-4785
www.alamancebattleground.nchistoricsites.org--
To check the invasion of North Carolina by Lord Cornwallis’ 2,200
redcoats, Major General Nathanael Greene deployed 4,400 rebels at
Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781. Cornwallis held the field
after a fierce two-hour fight, but lost one-quarter of his army, hastening his eventual defeat at Yorktown. Free admission.
16. Hills borough
Hillsborough, site of the 1775 Provincial Congress, was occupied by
the American and British armies during the Revolution. Col. David
Fanning’s Tory raiders captured Governor Thomas Burke in
September 1781, precipitating the Battle of Lindley’s Mill.
Hillsborough is also the site of the momentous Constitutional
Convention of 1788 where delegates demanded a Bill of Rights
before they would ratify the US Constitution. Guided walking tours
are offered by appointment, beginning at the Orange County Visitor’s
Center. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough.
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9–5, Sat. 10–4, Sun. 12–4
Location: 150 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC. 27278
Telephone: 919-732-7741 Fax 919-732-6322
email: [email protected]
17. Snow Ca mp Community & Dra ma Site
This is a Quaker community, where British soldiers camped after the
Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It is also the site of an outdoor summer drama depicting the role of the Quakers in the American
Revolution. “Sword of Peace” runs June 26–August 30, 8:00 pm.
Fee: Adults $15., seniors $13., under 12 $7.
Hours: July 1–Aug 14, 8:00 PM
Snow Camp Historical Drama Society, 1 Drama Road, Snow Camp
Directions: I–85/40, exit 145, 15 miles south on NC. Hwy. 49
Telephone: 800-726-5115 www.snowcampdrama.com
18. H ouse in the Horseshoe State H istoric Site
Once the home of Phillip Alston, a Whig colonel, the House in the
Horseshoe was the site of fighting during the Revolution and still bears
the scars of the war. On the morning of July 29, 1781, while Alston and
his band of Patriots were camped at the house, they were attacked by
a larger group of Tories led by David Fanning. During the ensuing skirmish, the Tories attempted to set the house on fire by rolling against
it a cart filled with burning straw. Alston surrendered after both sides
took several casualties. The house remains riddled with bullet holes.
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/horsesho/horsesho.htm
Hours: Tues.–Sat. 9–5,(May-Oct). Closed Sundays, Mondays, official holidays.
Location: 324 Alston House Road, Sanford, NC. 27330
Phone: 910-947-2051 www.houseinthehorseshoe.nchistoricsites.org
D. Boggan-Ham mond Hous e
The oldest standing house in Wadesboro, it was built by Patrick Boggan in
1796 and given to his daughter, Eleanor, when she married William
Hammond. Now owned by the Anson County Historical Society, it has been
restored and operated as a historic house museum. It contains period furnitire dating to 1775. Patrick Boggan served as a captain during the
Revolutionary War. Boggan and his brother-in-law, Col. Thomas Wade,
founded in 1783, the town that became the county seat of Anson County.
It was renamed Wadesborough in 1787 after the death of Col. Wade.
Hours: Everyday 8:30am–5:00pm.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Location: 2332 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC. 27410-2355
Telephone: 336-288-1776 www.nps.gov/guco
Annual reenactments at sites on anniversaries.
Open Daily: 9–5. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Location: 2625 Park Rd. (SC Highway 216) off I-85, Exit 2, Blacksburg.
Telephone: 864-936-7921. www.nps.gov/kimo
On July 12, 1780, British forces under Captain Christian Huck were
surrounded and defeated by combined rebel forces. This event,
which is now known as the Battle of Huck’s Defeat, was a major
morale booster for the Backcountry citizens. The battlefield is preserved within Historic Brattonsville, a living history museum interpreting life in the Carolina Backcountry from 1780 to 1860. Each
year the Battle of Huck’s Defeat is reenacted during the second
weekend of July.
Lord Cornwallis crossed Lands Ford in his march from Charlotte to
Winnsboro after the Battle of Kings Mountain. General Thomas
Sumter, the “Gamecock” used the area as a meeting place and
campsite. General William Richardson Davie, who fought with
Sumter, served as governor of North Carolina and later retired to a
home overlooking the ford. Now, the site is Landsford Canal State
Park with the remains of an early 19th century canal and 18th century log cabin. Admission charged.
Hours: Daily 9–6. Directions: 12 miles south of Rock Hill, SC off
Hwy. 21, 2051 Park Drive, Catawba, SC 29704
Telephone: 803-789-5800 www.discoversouthcarolina.com
6 . Ki ngs Mountai n Na tiona l M ili tar y Pa rk
The Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by Patriot
militia over Loyalist forces during the Southern Campaign of the
Revolutionary War. The October 7, 1780 battle destroyed the left
wing of Cornwallis’ army and effectively ended Loyalist’s dominance
in the Carolinas. The film, “The Battle of Kings Mountain”, is
shown daily in the park visitor center (Free). Other attractions
include museum exhibits, battlefield trail, and a bookstore.
Recreational facilities including 119 camping sites, picnic area with
shelters and fishing can be found at the adjoining Kings Mountain
State Park.
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 10–4, and by appointment.
Location: 206 East Wade St., Wadesboro, NC. 28170 (1 block from square)
Telephone: 704-694-6694 http://home.alltel.net/ansonhistorical
8. Musgrov e’s Mi ll Sta te His tori c Site
In August of 1780 a detachment of American militia engaged and
defeated a superior British force near Musgrove’s Mill on the Enoree
River. Occurring at a time when American prospects for winning the
Revolution seemed to grow dimmer by the day, the success at
Musgrove’s Mill bolstered patriot morale in the Carolina
Backcountry. The site includes a museum, access to the scenic
Enoree river, a fishing pond and interpretive programs.
Admission charged.
Hours: Grounds 9–6. Visitor Center Thur–Mon 10–5, closed Tue
and Wed, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day.
Location: from I-26 take Hwy 56 north, then follow signs.
Telephone: 864-938-0100 www.discoversouthcarolina.com
A. Ni nety Six N ati onal His tori c Site
Now a National Park Service area, this important backcountry crossroads town was the site of the first Revolutionary War land battle
south of New England in 1775. In May 1781, after a 28–day siege,
Loyalist forces held off a determined attack by Gen. Greene’s Patriot
army. Within a month of Greene’s departure, the British realized
they could not hold the area and burned the town, thus abandoning
the still-intact earthen Star Fort and all of the backcountry to the
Patriot forces.Featured at Ninety Six National Historic Site is the
British Star fort, a well preserved 18th century earthwork. Free film.
Hours: 8–5 daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s
Day. Location: From Greenwood, SC take Hwy 34 East to Hwy 248
South at Ninety Six and follow signs. From I-26 take Hwy 34 West at
the Newberry exit, 30 miles to Ninety Six, then follow signs.
Telephone: 864-543-4068 www.nps.gov/nisi
B . Ca ta wba Cultur al Center
On January 17, 1781, in fighting that lasted less than an hour at the
Cowpens, a Patriot army under General Daniel Morgan destroyed a
crack British unit commanded by the feared and hated lieutenant
Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Scholars and many visitors study this historically and militarily significant American Revolutionary War battle.
Park facilities include a Visitor Center with artifacts and audio-visual programs; a picnic area, battlefield trail and nature trail.
Admission FREE.
Hrs: 9–5. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s day.
Directions: From I-85 northbound, take exit 83. Turn left onto Hwy
110, about 8 miles. At the intersection of Hwys 110, 11, and 221-A,
turn right. The park is on the right.
From I-85 southbound, take Exit 92 at Gaffney, west toward
Chesnee on Hwy 11., the park is about 10 miles on the left.
From I-26 eastbound, take exit 5, east toward Chesnee on Hwy 11.
The park is about 20 miles on the right.
From I-26 westbound, take I-85 north. Take exit 83. Turn left onto
Hwy 110. At the intersection of Hwys 110, 11 and 221-A turn right.
The park is on the right.
Telephone: 864-461-2828 www.nps.gov/cowp
The Catawba Indians fought on the side of the colonists and supported them in the American Revolution. Today their heritage and
culture are preserved through exhibits and videos at their Cultural
Center. A nature trail can be explored going from the center
to the Catawba River, the focal point of
Catawba life. Tours available
for individuals. Gift shop
features authentic hand
made Catawba pottery,
other Native American crafts, books
and items.
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 9–5.
1536 Tom Stevens Rd.
Directions: From I-77,
take exit 79. Go toward
the Galleria Mall. At second
light, follow signs to the Catawba
Cultural Center. Telephone: 803-328-2427 w w w. c c p p c r a f t s . c o m
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
The trail follows the route of the campaign of the American
Patriot army that decisively defeated an American Loyalist
army, led by Major Patrick Ferguson, at the battle of Kings
Mountain, South Carolina, in the dark days of the fall of
1780. The trail stretches some 330 miles from Abingdon,
Virginia, through Eastern Tennessee, over the high mountains of North Carolina, across the Piedmont of North and
South Carolina including the eastern spur fromElkin, NC
which joins the main portion in Morganton. The nonmotorized portion of the trail is under development with
certified sections existing in areas such as Gilbert Town
near Rutherfordton where additional site amenities are
being developed. Other opportunities to retrace the route of
the Patriot army are found in Elkin, Wilkesboro,
Morganton, along the Blue Ridge Parkway and McDowell
and Polk counties in North Carolina. Refer to the National
Park Service map to drive or walk the route.
Info: Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail; National
Park Service.
Telephone: 864-936-3477 http://www.nps.gov/ovvi
Below are Overmountain Victory sites of interest:
Fort Defiance
Site of a fort during the Revolution and later home of General
Lenoir after the war, the area includes a historic home and grave
sites. Present house built in 1792.
Thur–Sat, 10am–5pm. Sun 1-5pm.
1792 Ft Defiance Dr (US 268) Lenoir NC 28645
Telephone: 828-758-1671 www.fortdefiancenc.org
Orchard at Altapass
The present day orchard includes reenactments and storytelling
recounting the march and two miles of certified trail. Open daily
except Tuesday from May 15 to November 15, 10am-6pm.
1025 Orchard Road, Milepost 328.3 Blue Ridge Parkway,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Telephone: 888-765-9531 www.AltapassOrchard.com
Quaker Meadows
Patriot soldiers from Virginia, Tennessee, and Wilkes and Surry
Counties gathered near this site to lay plans to defeat the
British. Area includes historic home and grounds. Sunday 2-4pm
plus special events and private tours.
119 St. Mary’s Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655
www.historicburke.org/quakermeadows.html
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, within constraints of scheduling & printing technology.
Cheraw was part of the British strategic line of defense that included Camden. General Gates’ army traveled near here on the way to
the Battle of Camden. General Nathanael Greene set up “Camp
Cheraw”, the “Southern Valley Forge”, in the winter of 1780. The
Lyceum Museum on the Town Green has displays on the period. Keys
for historic sites and brochures available at the Chamber of Commerce
on the south side of the Green on Market Street. Used as a hospital
and quarters by both sides, Old St. David’s Church, c. 1770, was the
last Anglican Church built in South Carolina and both British and
American soldiers are buried in its cemetery. Directions: US 1 or US
52 or SC 9 to Market St. Church St, one block south of Market St.
Telephone: 888-537-0014 Toll free. www.cheraw.com
9. The Schi ele Museum of Na tur al Hi story
The Catawba Indian Village interprets 400 years of southeast Native
American history through replicated structures. The 18th Century
Backcountry Farm showcases the life of the early settlers from this
region through six log buildings and living history presentations.
Call for admission.
Hours: Museum Exhibits & Nature Trail: Mon–Sat. 9–5, Sun. 1–5.
Native American Village and Backcountry Farm: hours vary seasonally; call for current schedule and upcoming programs.
Directions: I-85 south from Charlotte. Exit at Cox Road or New
Hope Road. Follow signs to Schiele Museum.
Location: 1500 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC. 28054
Telephone: 704-866-6900 www.schielemuseum.org
10 . The Hezek ia h Alexander Homes ite
The fife and drum both entertained and signaled.
7. Cowp ens Na tiona l B attlefi eld
C. Cheraw
South Carolina
Olde English District Commission - 1-800-968-5909
(Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union & York counties)
Rock Hill/York County Convention & Visitors Bureau - 1-800-866-5200
www.visityorkcounty.com
Camden/Kershaw County Tourism - 1-800-968-4037 www.camden-sc.org
Cheraw Visitors Bureau - 888-537-0014 www.cheraw.com
Discover Upcountry Carolina Association - 1-800-849-4766
www.theupcountry.com
(Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Pickens, Oconee & Spartanburg counties)
Old 96 District - 1-800-849-9633 www.sctravelold96.com
(Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens & McCormick counties)
North Carolina
Burlington/Alamance County Convention & Visitors Bureau - 1-800-637-3804
www.burlington-area-nc.org
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau - 1-888-968-2060
www.chocvb.org
Charlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau - 1-800-231-4636
www.charlottecvb.org
Gaston County Travel & Tourism - 1-800-849-9994 www.gaston.org
Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - 1-800-344-2282
www.greensboronc.org
Winston Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau - 1-800-331-7018
www.visitwinstonsalem.com
This publication printed as a cooperative effort between
North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development and
South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism
FOR A FREE STATE MAP AND TRAVEL GUIDE CALL:
South Carolina
Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places.®
NC Department of Commerce
Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development
1-800-996-6445
www.DISCOVERSOUTH
CAROLINA.COM
The “Rock House”, built in 1774, where revolution buzzed like a hornet’s nest, was the home of Hezekiah Alexander, one of North Carolina’s
most venerated citizens. He was one of 27 signers of the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence and co-framed the North Carolina State
Constitution and Bill of Rights. This Historic dwelling, from the
American Revolutionary War era, is situated on its original site and can
be toured with docents dressed in authentic 18th Century costumes.
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10–5. Sun. 1–5. (June 1–August 31) Tours 1:15
& 3:15 Group tours by appointment. Admission Charged.
Location: 3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC. 28215
Telephone: 704-568-1774 www.charlottemuseum.org
Kershaw-Cornwallis House, Camden, SC.
The Carolinas’
Backcountry Trail
The American Revolution
1. Historic Camden
2. Winnsboro
in the Carolinas’ Backcountry
3. Landsford Canal State Park
4. Andrew Jackson State Park
5. Historic Brattonsville
6. Kings Mountain National Military Park
7. Cowpens National Battlefield
8. Musgrove’s Mill State Historic Site
9. Schiele Museum of Natural History
10. Hezekiah Alexander Homesite
11. Old Salem
12. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
13. Tannenbaum Historic Park
14. Greensboro Historical Museum
15. Alamance Battleground State Historic Site
16. Hillsborough
Colonial reenactment at the
Tannenbaum Park, Greensboro, NC.
North
Carolina
Overmountain
Victory
Trail
South
Carolina
Wilkesboro
Elkin
Burlington
Winston Salem
Lenoir
Spruce Pine
Hillsborough
Greensboro
Snow
Camp
Morganton
17. Snow Camp Community & Drama Site
Raleigh
Top above: Statue of General Nathanael Greene, Greensboro, NC.
Above: Reenactors at Tannenbaum Historic Park, Greensboro, NC.
Below: McDowell house at Quaker Meadows.
Salisbury
18. House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site
Sanford
Rutherfordton
SIDE TRIPS…along the way
Gastonia
A. Ninety Six National Historic Site
B. Catawba Cultural Center
Charlotte
York
C. Cheraw
Greenville
O. Overmountain Victory National
Union
Cheraw
Rock
Hill
McConnells
D. Boggan-Hammond House
Lancaster
Chester
Historic Trail
Wadesboro
Great
Falls
Greenwood
Camden
Ridgeway
Winnsboro
Columbia
Shown above: located in Cheraw, St. David’s Church
was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War.
Shown below: Guilford Courthouse reenactment, Greensboro.
Carolinas’ Backcountry Timeline
May 1771–Alamance, North Carolina: Prior to the revolution,
backcountry farmers (Regulators) battled the British Royal
Governor Tryon’s troops.
June 17, 1780–Battle of Hill’s Ironworks: British Legion dragoons and Loyalist militia under Capt. Christian Huck destroyed
Col. William Hill’s ironworks in York County, SC.
attack on Hanging Rock by Gen. Sumter and Col. Davie inflicted
heavy casualties on British Provincials and Loyalist militias but
failed to capture the British camp.
under Maj. James Wemyss launched an unsuccessful night attack
on Gen. Sumter’s troops at Fishdam Ford on Broad River, Chester
County, SC.
Cornwallis engaged Gen. Greene at Guilford Courthouse, Guilford
County, NC, in one of the largest land battles of the war, Greene
withdrew after inflicting heavy casualties on the British.
November 19–21, 1775–First Siege of Ft.Ninety Six: Loyalist
militia commanded by Maj. Joseph Robinson besieged Patriot
militia under Maj. Andrew Williamson at Fort Ninety Six,
Greenwood County, SC, the first land battle of American
Revolution in South Carolina.
June 20, 1780–Battle of Ramsour’s Mill: NC Patriot militia
under Col. Francis Locke defeated Lt. Col. John Moore’s Loyalist
militia at Ramsour’s Mill, Lincoln County, NC.
August 8, 1780–Battle of Wofford’s Ironworks: Col. Isaac
Shelby of NC and Col. Elijah Clarke of Georgia defeated British
troops under Maj. James Dunlap at Wofford’s Ironworks,
Spartanburg County, SC.
November 20, 1780–Battle of Blackstock’s Plantation:
Sumter won an important victory over Tarleton at Blackstocks,
Union County, SC, but Sumter was seriously wounded during the
battle.
April 25, 1781–Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill: British army under
Lord Francis Rawdon attacked Gen. Greene’s American army at
Hobkirks’s Hill in Kershaw County, SC. Once again the British
claimed victory but suffered heavy casualties.
August 16, 1780–Battle of Camden: The British army under
Lord Charles Cornwallis completely routed the American army of
Gen. Horatio Gates near Camden, Kershaw County, SC. This battle
was the worst American defeat of the Revolution and opened the
way for Cornwallis to advance into NC in September.
December 3, 1780–Greene assumed command: Maj. Gen.
Nathanael Greene arrived in Charlotte, NC and assumed command of the Southern Continental Army from Gen. Gates.
May 22–June 19, 1781–Second Siege of Ft. Ninety Six:
Greene besieged the British forces at Fort Ninety Six but was
forced to withdraw as Lord Rawdon advanced with a large army.
December 30, 1780–Battle of Hammond’s Store:
Continentals and SC militia under Lt. Col. William Washington
routed Loyalist militia under Brig. Gen. Robert Cunningham in
Laurens County, SC.
August 5, 1781–House in the Horseshoe: Loyalist militia
under Col. David Fanning captured Patriots under Col. Philip
Alston at Alston’s home (the “House in the Horseshoe”) on the
Deep River, Moore County, NC.
January 17, 1781–Battle of Cowpens: British forces under Lt.
Col. Tarleton suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of American
Continentals and Patriot militia under Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan at
the Cowpens in Cherokee County, SC.
September 8, 1781–Battle of Eutaw Springs: Greene engaged
the British under Col. Alexander Stewart at Eutaw Springs,
Orangeburg County, SC, both sides suffered heavy casualties, but
Greene’s troops won the field.
February 1, 1781–Battle of Cowan’s Ford: Having reentered
NC, Cornwallis’s troops were stopped at Cowan’s Ford on the
Catawba River, Lincoln–Mecklenburg Counties, NC, by Gen
William Lee Davidson. The British then outflanked and defeated
the Americans and Davidson was killed in the battle.
September 13, 1781–Battle of Lindley’s Mill: Maryland
Continentals under Col. Otho Williams made an unsuccessful
attempt to recapture NC Gov. Thomas Burke from Fanning’s
Loyalists.
December 22, 1775–Battle of Great Canebrake: Patriot militia under Col. Richard Richardson defeated Loyalist militia under
Maj. Patrick Cunningham at Great Canebrake on the Reedy River,
Greenville County, NC.
June 1776–October, 1776–Cherokee Campaign: After the
pro–British Cherokee Indians went to war on the frontiers of NC
and SC, over 2000 backcountry militia under Gen. Andrew
Williamson of SC and Gen. Griffith Rutherford of NC launched an
extensive campaign against them, destroyed many Cherokee towns
in western SC, western NC and northern Georgia and forced the
Cherokee to sue for peace.
May 9– 12, 1780–Siege of Charleston: The British army and
navy under Sir Henry Clinton captured Charleston, SC and an
entire American army of some 5000 men under Gen. Benjamin
Lincoln.
May 29, 1780–Buford’s Defeat or Battle of the Waxhaws: Some
350 Virginia Continentals under Col. Abraham Buford were defeated by British Legion dragoons commanded by Lt. Col. Banastre
Tarleton in the Waxhaw settlement, Lancaster County, SC.
June 6, 1780–Battle of Beckhamville or Alexander’s Old
Field: Patriot militia under Capt. John McClure defeated Loyalist
militia under Capt. Henry Houseman near Great Falls in Chester
County, SC.
June 8, 1780–Battle of Mobley’s Meetinghouse: Loyalist militia
under Col. Cahrles Coleman were dispersed by Patriot militia under Capt.
John McClure, Col. Edward Lacey, and Col. William Bratton in Fairfield
County, SC.
July 12, 1780–Battle of Williamson’s Plantation or Huck’ s
Defeat: SC Patriot militia under Cols. Andrew Neal, William Bratton,
Edward Lacey and Richard Winn defeated Bristish Provincials and
Loyalist militia under Capt. Christian Huck at Williamson’s Plantation,
York County, SC.
July 12, 1780–Battle of Cedar Spring: Loyalist militia attempted a night ambush on Col. John Thomas’s Patriot militia camp at
Cedar Spring near Spartanburg, SC, but were repulsed thanks to a
warning from Thomas’s mother.
August 18, 1780–Battle of Fishing Creek: British troops under
Lt. Col. Tarleton defeated Gen Sumter’s Patriot militia in a surprise attack at Fishing Creek, Chester County, SC.
July 14, 1780–Battle of Earle’s Ford: British Provincials and
Loyalist militia under Maj. James Dunlap attacked Patriot militia
from NC, SC and Georgia under Brig. Gen. Charles McDowell at
Earle’s Ford on North Pacolet River, Spartanburg County, SC.
August 18, 1780–Battle of Musgrove’s Mill: Patriot militia
under Cols. Isaac Shelby, Elijah Clarke and James Williams defeated Provincials and Loyalists under Lt. Col. Alexander Innes at
Musgrove’s Mill on Enoree River, Union–Laurens County, SC.
July 21, 1780–Battle of Colson’s Mill: NC troops under Brig.
Gen. William Lee Davidson defeated Col. Samuel Bryan’s Loyalist
militia on the Pee Dee River, Stanly–Richmond Counties, NC,
Davidson was seriously wounded in the fight.
September 26, 1780–Battle of Charlotte: Col. William Davie’s
riflemen slowed the advance of Lord Cornwallis’s army, but could
not stop the British troops from capturing and occupying
Charlotte, NC.
July 30, 1780–Battle of Rocky Mount: SC and NC Patriot militia
under Brig. Gen. Thomas “Gamecock” Sumter launched an
unsuccessful attack on the British fort at Rocky Mount, Fairfield
County, SC.
October 7, 1780–Battle of Kings Mountain: Backcounty militia from Virginia, NC, SC and Georgia under Col. William Campbell
defeated British Provincials and Loyalist militia under Maj. Patrick
Ferguson at Kings Mountain, York County, SC. Ferguson’s Defeat
destroyed Cornwallis’s plans for an early invasion of NC and
forced him to withdraw to Winnsboro, Fairfield County, SC, for the
winter.
February 25, 1781–Pyle’s Defeat: Loyalist militia under Col.
John Pyle were attacked and defeated by Continental dragoons and
Patriot militia under Lt. Col. Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee in
Alamance County, NC.
November 8, 1780–Battle of Fishdam Ford: British dragoons
March 15, 1781–Battle of Guilford Courthouse: Lord
July 30, 1780–First Battle of Hanging Rock: Col. William R.
Davie made a diversionary attack on the British camp at Hanging
Rock while Gen. Sumter attacked Rocky Mount.
August 6, 1780–Second Battle of Hanging Rock: A second
October 17, 1781–Surrender at Yorktown: The British army
under Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. George Washington at
Yorktown, VA.
December 14, 1782–Evacuation of Charleston: The last
British troops in South Carolina evacuated Charleston.
March 2, 1781–Battle of Clapp’s Mill: “Lighthorse Harry” Lee’s
dragoons ambushed Tarleton’s cavalry at Clapp’s Mill in Alamance
County, NC.
m May ‘08 USA