Sampit in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Skirmish at Sampit Bridge

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 21, 2009

1. Skirmish at Sampit Bridge Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In the early evening about March 20, 1781, the last skirmish between General Marion and Colonel Watson was fought at Sampit Bridge, one-half mile west of this spot. Col. Watson’s loss was twenty men killed and a large number wounded; General Marion’s reputed loss was one man killed.

Erected 1940 by Georgetown County. (Marker Number 22-7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1711.

Location. 33° 21.866′ N, 79° 27.474′ W. Marker is in Sampit, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. Marker is on Saints Delight Road (Alternate U.S. 17) south of Highmarket Street / Georgetown Highway (U.S. 521), on the left when traveling south. Marker is at Sampit Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1125 Saints Delight Rd, Georgetown SC 29440, 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. Sampit Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Oak Grove Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Dissenter Meeting House and Cemetery

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(approx. 8.1 miles away); General Arthur M. Manigault (approx. 8.3 miles away); 1st Battalion 178th Field Artillery (approx. 8½ miles away); Gabriel Marion (approx. 8.6 miles away); Georgetown County National Guard Memorial (approx. 8.8 miles away); Friendly Aid Society / Rosemont School (approx. 9.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Revolutionary War Raids & Skirmishes in 1781. “On March 28, Col. John Watson and his British force was still following Maj. Gen. Francis Marion’s Patriot force. Marion sent Peter Horry’s horsemen ahead of Watson, and they destroyed the Sampit Bridge in Watson’s path as he continued down the road toward Georgetown. Horry’s were then set to receive Watson, but he drove forward on them with the bayonet. At the same time, however, Marion attacked and badly cut up his rear guard as it forded the Sampit River, since the bridge had already been partially destroyed by the partisans to impede the British as they retired. His own horse shot out from under him, Watson then opened up his cannon on Marion and drove him back. Leaving twenty dead behind him, Watson then proceeded to Trapier’s Plantation where he camped. The next day, with a reported two wagon

Two Markers at Sampit Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 21, 2009

2. Two Markers at Sampit Methodist Church

This marker is on the left.

loads of wounded Watson made it to Georgetown. Although there is apparently no accurate count of Watson’s losses during his expedition against Marion during this month, the total was reportedly not inconsiderable, 40 being both a reasonable and conservative estimate. Marion casualties, on the other hand, appear to have been negligible.” (Submitted on March 14, 2009.)

Additional keywords. Gen. Francis Marion, The Swamp Fox; Tory leader Col. John Watson

Skirmish at Sampit Bridge Marker seen along Saints Delight Road (Alternate U.S. 17) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 25, 2013

3. Skirmish at Sampit Bridge Marker seen along Saints Delight Road (Alternate U.S. 17)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,407 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on May 26, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.