West Ashley in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Skirmish at St. Andrew’s Parish Church

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Skirmish at St. Andrew’s Parish Church Marker

Inscription.
On March 22, 1780, British and Hessian troops nearing Charleston were met by Patriot cannon fire near St. Andrew's Parish Church. They advanced on the church from the opposite side of Church Creek after reports that a Patriot detachment of 150 cavalry and 200 men was posted there. Hessian Capt. Johann Ewald led his men across the creek SW of here, hoping to encircle the Patriots and ambush them from behind.

The British decision not to return cannon fire spared the church from almost certain damage. Ewald's men became mired in the pluff mud, and a brief skirmish ensued as Patriots fled the church grounds. The British seized the church and camped in the yard while they rebuilt the damaged bridge over the creek. The skirmish was a prelude to the British capture of Charleston in May and the city's two-year occupation.

Erected 2022 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by St. Andrew’s Parish Church. (Marker Number 10-124.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included

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in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 22, 1780.

Location. 32° 50.293′ N, 80° 2.991′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in West Ashley. It is on Ashley River Road (South Carolina Route 61) 0.1 miles south of Plainview Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2604 Ashley River Road, Charleston SC 29414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

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 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Andrew’s Parish Church (here, next to this marker); Ashley River Region (approx. 1.7

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Skirmish at St. Andrew’s Parish Church Marker

miles away); The Founding Of Ashley Hall / From The Revolution To Civil War (approx. 2 miles away); A Sacred Place (approx. 2.6 miles away); Drayton Hall / Drayton Family (approx. 2.6 miles away); South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company (approx. 3 miles away); Jenkins Orphanage (approx. 3.2 miles away); Excursion Up the Ashley (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Andrew’s Parish Church (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Revolutionary Skirmish at old St. Andrew’s Church to be commemorated on Wednesday. (Submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church. (Submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 691 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.