Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Peter Francisco the "Virginia Giant"

Illustration by Dale Watson

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 7, 2024

1. Peter Francisco the "Virginia Giant" Marker

Inscription. Best known for wielding a six-foot broadsword, the 6-foot, six-inch, 260-pound, Peter Francisco was a member of the Virginia Continental Line. He gained mythic status at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina in August 1780, where during the collapse of the Patriot lines, Francisco spied a Patriot cannon about to be captured by the British. Surging ahead, Francisco allegedly beat off attackers and hefted the cannon barrel onto his shoulders and carried it off the battlefield.

At Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina in 1781, he slew eleven British soldiers in battle, there memorialized by monument as "the most famous private soldier of the Revolutionary War." The U.S. Postal Service commemorated Francisco carrying the cannon on a Bicentennial stamp in 1976.

Erected by Camden Burials.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is August 16, 1780.

Location. 34° 14.673′ N, 80° 36.407′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It is at the intersection of Broad Street (U.S. 521) and Rutledge Street, on the right when traveling north on Broad Street. Marker and painting are at the northwest corner of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 950 Broad Street, Camden SC 29020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The 71st Regiment of Foot charging the Maryland Continentals (here, next to this marker); King Haiglar Tower (here, next to this marker); E.H. Dibble Store / Eugene H. Dibble (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bethesda Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The De Kalb Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lafayette Hall and Lafayette Cedar (approx. ¼ mile away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Illustration of Peter Francisco carrying the British cannon barrel during Battle of Camden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 7, 2024

2. Illustration of Peter Francisco carrying the British cannon barrel during Battle of Camden

Wide view of the Clock Tower across Rutledge Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 7, 2024

3. Wide view of the Clock Tower across Rutledge Street

Marker and painting are around the corner on Broad Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.