Near Enoree in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Bad Situation Gets Worse

Photographed By David Graff, May 24, 2016

1. A Bad Situation Gets Worse Marker

Inscription. Slipping through the night of August 18, 1780, two hundred Patriot militiamen had headed south from their camp on the Broad River, intent on attacking a similarly sized Loyalist force at Musgrove's Mill. Before sunrise the next morning, they regrouped just north of the Enoree River, only to learn that three hundred reinforcements — most of them Provincial Regulars — had swelled the Loyalist ranks during the night.

Worse, the now outnumbered Patriots soon lost the advantage of surprise when a Loyalist patrol discovered their presence. Unable to retreat, the Patriots were forced to make hasty plans for battle.

Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is August 19, 1780.

Location. 34° 35.959′ N, 81° 51.149′ W. Marker is near Enoree, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. Marker can be reached from Horseshoe Falls Road (State Highway S-42-10) 1.4 miles south of State Highway 56, on the left when traveling south. This marker is one of a series along the Musgrove Mill Battlefield Trail. The trail starts at a parking area and leads to a loop where the main battle action occurred. It is approximately 2100 feet from the start of

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the trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Enoree SC 29335, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. True to Their King (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winning the Battle & the War (about 400 feet away); Americans in British Uniform (about 600 feet away); A Band of Brothers (about 600 feet away); The Enemy Within (about 600 feet away); Inman's Men Bait the Trap (about 800 feet away); Into the Backcountry (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Hot Pursuit (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Enoree.

More about this marker. Beyond this marker, the trail splits at the start of the loop section and continues downslope to a long wooden footbridge over a swamp.

Regarding A Bad Situation Gets Worse. An engraving on the left side reads: "With the battle rapidly approaching, the Patriot militiamen began seeking a good position from which to fight."

Bottom drawing: "The news of Loyalist reinforcements meant that the Patriots would now be outnumbered more than two to one" — Illustration by Darby Erd.

Photographed By David Graff, May 24, 2016

2. A Bad Situation Gets Worse Marker

Looking down the slope past the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2016, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2016, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.