Manning in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ambush at Half-Way Swamp
Erected 2004 by The Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1780.
Location. 33° 41.822′ N, 80° 12.643′ W. Marker is in Manning, South Carolina, in Clarendon County. Marker is on North Brooks Street (US 301 / 521) near West Rigby Street, on the left when traveling north. Located on the East wall of B Mart, Brooks Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manning SC 29102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fuel 24 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pond Bluff to St Stephens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Swamp Fox (about 300 feet away); Francis Marion Reflections (about 400 feet away); Murray's Ferry - Santee River (about 400 feet away); Trinity A.M.E. Church (about 500 feet away); Ebenezer Baptist Church (about 700 feet away); Clarendon County Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manning.
Regarding Ambush at Half-Way Swamp. Major McLeroth and his British Regular troops met at Nelson’s Ferry , recruits for the Royal Fusiliers, who departed Charleston for Camden. McLeroth was to escort them to the High Hills. General Marion with 700 troops intercepted McLeroth’s group and began driving in the pickets. Under a flag of truce McLeroth complained and after they talked, it was decided each side would field twenty men to face off and fight. Major Vanderhorst and the picked twenty decided to wait until they were fifty yards away to fire their buckshot. As they closed to less than 100 yards, the Redcoats broke and ran.
During the night the British stole away, leaving their equipment and supplies behind. Marion sent James and his cavalry after them. James fired on the British at Singleton’s Mill but quickly departed the mill area when he learned the Singletons had smallpox. Dec. 26, 1780, Lt. Col. John Watson Tadwell Watson and the British 64th Regiment of Foot troops started building Fort Watson on the Santee Indian Mound.
Also see . . . The American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Halfway Swamp ... (British Maj.)McLeroth sent out a flag of truce challenging Marion to a gentlemanly shooting duel between 20 men of each side. Marion responded to McLeRoth's dare by saying that as long as the British forces continue to burn down civilian houses and send out raids, he would continue to shoot the British pickets. Responding to the request to meet McLeRoth out in the open, Marion said "...if Major McLeRoth wishes to see mortal combat between teams of twenty men picked by each side, I will gratify him." Surprisingly, McLeRoth accepted Marion's reply. (Submitted on November 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,935 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on November 5, 2011, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.