Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Citizen - Soldiers

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 11, 2009

1. Citizen - Soldiers Marker

Inscription. In colonial America, all able-bodied men from teenagers to sixty-year-olds served in the militia, a local force that turned out for military service in times of emergency. Official training sessions, or musters, were held once or twice per year in peacetime. Training was often a social occasion with the men dispersing to taverns after a brief drill.

"Our Militia exhibited... great zeal & fidelity; coming voluntarily from considerable distances to offer their Service."
Lord Rawdon

With the coming of the Revolution, militia duty became more serious. Patriot militia often took the field against the British, and after the British occupied South Carolina in 1780, they organized a Loyalist militia.

The Loyalist militia of Camden District guarded the town during the battles of Camden and Hobkirk's Hill and fought against the American partisans.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.

Location. 34° 14.054′ N, 80° 36.185′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. Marker is on State Road (State Highway 28-703). Marker is located in the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Camden SC 29020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Southeast Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker); Palisade Wall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fortified Post (about 300 feet away); Camden - Strategic Key (about 300 feet away); The Southern Campaign, Apr 1781 - Dec 1782 (about 300 feet away); The Southern Campaign, Aug 1780 - Apr 1781 (about 300 feet away); The Southern Campaign, Dec 1778 - Aug 1780 (about 300 feet away); British Commanders (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Picture on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

2. Picture on the marker

Militia were usually expected to provide their own clothing, arms and equipment on campaign.
They enlisted for a set amount of time and were often fiercely loyal to their own officers.
"Vituals Well Dressed" by Pamela Patrick White, White Historic Art.

Photographed By Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

3. Overview

Marker is next to a reconstructed foot bridge in the style of the Revolutionary War period.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017

4. Citizen - Soldiers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 17, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. 4. submitted on November 7, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.