Eutawville in Orangeburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Determined Defense by a Brave Commander
Battle of Eutaw Springs
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
To Major Marjoribanks and the flank battalion under his command " I think the honour of the day is due."
~ 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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 33° 24.449′ N, 80° 17.915′ W. Marker was in Eutawville, South Carolina, in Orangeburg County. It could be reached from Old Number Six Highway ( SC-6, SC-45) near Fredcon Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Eutawville SC 29048, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Lowcountry and in Santee Cooper Country. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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.
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Eutaw Springs (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Victory in Defeat / A Close and Deadly Clash of Veteran Troops (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding A Determined Defense by a Brave Commander. 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
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 15, 2009
2. 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
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 stone and is well-marked.
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
South Carolina Department of Archives and History., circa 1970
3. Battle of Eutaw Springs Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Major Marjoribanks
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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,061 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
