Near Great Falls in Chester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Battle of Fishing Creek

Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 20, 2008

1. Battle of Fishing Creek Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

At this site on August 18, 1780 General Thomas Sumter camped with captured booty and 800 men. He was surprised and defeated by Lt. Col. Tarleton and 160 soldiers. The disaster followed only two days General Gate's defeat by Lord Cornwallis at Camden. The patriots lost 150 men killed and many captured, but Sumter escaped and soon rallied another large force.

Erected 1974 by Chester County Historical Society. (Marker Number 12-3.)

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

Location. 34° 38.172′ N, 80° 54.27′ W. Marker is near Great Falls, South Carolina, in Chester County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 21 and Waterview Drive, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 21. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Falls SC 29055, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camp Creek Methodist Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); Alexander's Old Fields (approx. 3.3 miles away); Battle Of Beckhamville (approx. 3.3 miles away); Home Site of Justice John Gaston

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(approx. 4.7 miles away); Rocky Mount (approx. 7.3 miles away); Mt. Carmel Campground (approx. 7.7 miles away); Catholic Presbyterian Church (approx. 8 miles away); Graveyard Of The Richmond Covenanter Church Reformed Presbyterian (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Fishing Creek. (Submitted on November 23, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
2. Battle of Fishing Creek. The Battle of Fishing Creek, also called the Battle of Catawba Ford, was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on August 18, 1780, between American and British forces including the 71st Foot. It was fought near the junction of Fishing Creek and the Catawba River in South Carolina. British forces under Banastre Tarleton surprised the militia company of Thomas Sumter, killing a significant number, taking about 300 captives, and very nearly capturing Sumter, who some say was asleep at the time of the attack. (Submitted on June 6, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 20, 2008

2. Battle of Fishing Creek Marker

Battle of Fishing Creek August 18, 1780 Americans under Sumter surprised and routed by British under Tarleton. Erected by Mary Adair Chapter D.A.R. August 18, 1930.

Photographed By Brian Scott, March 21, 2016

3. Battle of Fishing Creek Marker

Photographed By Brian Scott, March 21, 2016

4. Battle of Fishing Creek Marker

Banastre Tarleton image. Click for full size.

circa late 1700s

5. Banastre Tarleton

Thomas Sumter image. Click for full size.

circa 1790

6. Thomas Sumter

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,372 times since then and 209 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on November 20, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.