Eutawville in Orangeburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Eutaw Springs
A Determined Defense by a Brave Commander
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
~ Colonel Alexander Stewart
Major John Marjoribanks ( pronounced "Marshbanks") led a battalion of elete troops that held the right flank of Stewart's British army. From a dense oak thicket, Marjoribanks' men held their position against repeated attacks until they were driven back to a palisade fence around the plantation house. From there they continued to inflict heavy casualties on the attacking Americans. When the Americans halted their charge to loot the British camp, Marjoribanks led his battalion in a counterattack that helped turn the tide of battle. But the veteran officer had little chance to savor the victory-he died a month later.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 33° 24.449′ N, 80° 17.915′ W. Marker is in Eutawville, South Carolina, in Orangeburg County. Marker can be reached from Old Number Six Highway ( SC-6, SC-45) near Fredcon Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eutawville SC 29048, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Eutaw (a few steps from this marker); Grave of Major Majoribanks / Northampton
this page online
Regarding Battle of Eutaw Springs. On the grounds is the tomb of British Commander Major John Majoribanks (sic), noted for outstanding leadership during the battle. Listed in the National Register June 5, 1970.
(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
The Silver Whistle presents its Roll of Honour: war graves of and memorials to British servicemen killed in the American War of Independence;
Major John Marjoribanks,
19th Regiment,
d. 1781
Eutaw Springs, SC
John A. Morrow informs us that this veteran Scots officer is buried under an old marble memorial
Photographed By Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
2. Left picture: Courtesy of The Green Howards Archives
Major John Marjoribanks, 19th Regiment: Marjoribanks commanded a consolidated battalion of light infantry and grenadier companies from several British regiments. Elite soldiers distinguished by distinctive uniforms, grenadiers and light infantrymen were often grouped into special units to make better use of theis abilities.
John Marjoribanks was mortally wounded in the battle on 8 September 1781, and died at Wantoot Plantation, where he was buried on 23 October. However, just as the battlefield of Eutaw Springs is now under Lake Marion, so is Wantoot under Lake Moultrie. According to Daniel Barefoot's Touring South Carolina's Revolutionary War Sites, the Major's grave was moved to its present location in 1941. But this probably refers to the slab, rather than to the actual remains.
The memorial is a recumbent slab resting on a brick vault, with a signboard nearby.
Also see . . . Battle of Eutaw Springs, Wikipedia entry. At the north-east corner of the camp was a strong brick house now defended by the remaining British battalion, commanded by Major John Majoribanks. This battalion had driven off the American cavalry before pulling back to the brick house. Attempts to capture the house failed, and Majoribanks was able to restore some order to the rest of the British force. With the newly restored force he was able to drive the Americans from the British camp. One American battalion held up and delayed the British advance, allowing the American army to retreat without suffering a rout. (Submitted on August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
Photographed By Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
3. Right picture: Courtesy of Kendle Enter
A simple wooden board that marked Marjoribanks' grave for many years was later replaced by a large marble slab. The monument and grave were moved to the site of Marjoribanks' triumph in 1941 when the plantation and the original gravesite were flooded by Lake Moultrie.
There seems to be this Scottish spelling of the Major's name and the American spelling omits the first "r", to become Majoribanks
— Submitted August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 15, 2009
4. Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker, as seen on the battleground
The D.A.R. Battle of Eutaw Monument seen at left and the Majoribanks marker seen at right. See nearby markers
South Carolina Department of Archives and History., circa 1970
5. Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,533 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
