Near Leeds in Chester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Fishdam Ford
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 20, 2008
1. Battle of Fishdam Ford Marker
On the east side of Broad River by an old Indian fish dam, General Thomas Sumter's camp was attacked before dawn on November 9, 1780 by the British 63rd Regiment and a detachment of the Legion, led by Major James Wemyss. The American campfires made excellent targets of the mounted British, who were severely defeated. Wemyss was taken prisoner by General Sumter.
Erected 1974 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Chester County Historical Society. (Marker Number 12-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 9, 1780.
Location. 34° 35.691′ N, 81° 25.083′ W. Marker is near Leeds, South Carolina, in Chester County. It is on West End Road (State Highway 215) half a mile west of Store Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle SC 29031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fish Dam Battle Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel William Farr (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Paul Baptist Church at Halsellville / Carter Colored School
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is located on the east bank of the Broad River on SC HIghway 215 just in Chester County.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Fish Dam Ford. (Submitted on November 21, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Battle of Fishdam Ford. The Battle of Fishdam Ford was an attempted surprise attack by British forces under the command of Major James Wemyss against an encampment of Patriot militia under the command of local Brigadier General Thomas Sumter around 1 am on the morning of November 9, 1780, late in the American Revolutionary War. (Submitted on May 22, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Brian Scott, March 21, 2016
2. Battle of Fishdam Ford Marker
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 20, 2008
3. SC Highway 215 over the Broad River
Photographed by Charles R. Robbins, Jr., July 24, 2009
4. Fish Dam Ford Fish Weir on Broad River
circa 1790
5. Thomas Sumter
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,019 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 2. submitted on May 22, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 4. submitted on August 19, 2012, by Charles R. Robbins, Jr. of Rock Hill, South Carolina. 5. submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
