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Photographer: Anna Inbody
Taken: October 2, 2011
Caption: Defeat, Retreat and Consequences
Additional Description: The Americans marched south as the British moved north along the same road. Neither army knew if the other’s approach. Around 2 a.m. on August 16, opposing cavalry units collided. A chaotic skirmish ensued. Unaccustomed to night battle, the British halted after driving back the Americans. At first light, the artillery on both sides opened fire and within minutes smoke clogged the air. Gates ordered his militia to attack. But seeing the King’s Best advancing with bayonets, the inexperienced patriots dropped their weapons and ran, many without firing a shot. Continental reserves replaced the fleeing militia, not realizing that even Gates was in retreat. On two separate fronts, Cornwallis’s troops engaged de Kalb’s 1st and 2nd Maryland Brigades. Fierce fighting raged until a British cavalry charge overwhelmed the Continentals. Tarleton’s cavalry pursued the fleeing Americans, killing or capturing hundreds. Despite this costly and demoralizing defeat, patriot forces regrouped and changed strategies. Less than two months later, Loyalists were annihilated at Kings Mountain and the tide began to turn. Gen. Nathanael Greene replaced the disgraced Gates in December 1780, and began a successful campaign that eventually drove the British back to the coast. Left Inset One reason the British beat the Americans at the Battle of Camden was the wide disparity of battle-readiness among the men. Although American ranks included seasoned Continental regiments, over half of the patriot troops were inexperienced militia. By contrast, King George III’s army was mostly well-trained professional soldiers and well-drilled Loyalists. Forces: British Regulars: 950; Loyalists - Provincials & Militias: 1230 Continental Soldiers: 1800; American Militia & State Troops: 2300 Losses: British losses: 68 killed; 24 wounded; 11 missing Exact American losses never known: 500-900 killed or wounded; 700 taken prisoner; all artillery, wagons and supplies captured; worst American field defeat in the Revolutionary War
Submitted: October 11, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina.
Database Locator Identification Number: p176339
File Size: 0.665 Megabytes

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