Artillery Duel at Dawn

Artillery Duel at Dawn. Battle of Camden. , "…both armies formed their lines, and approached within 100 yards of each other, and the Americans gave the first fire, which killed and wounded nearly one half of our number." , - British Private John Robert Shaw, 33rd Regiment of Foot, It was not fully light here at 5:30 a.m. on August 16, when American and British forces engaged in a deadly artillery duel that spanned both sides of Flat Rock Road. According to Patriot Colonel Otho Holland Williams:

"At dawn of day... the enemy appeared in front, advancing in column. Captain Singleton, who commanded some pieces of artillery, observed to Colonel Williams, that he plainly perceived the ground of the British uniform at about two hundred yards in front. The deputy adjutant general immediately ordered Captain Singleton to open his battery."

The range of the field cannon was no more than several hundred yards. The British readied their advance field guns and countered the attack. Trapped by the low canopy of towering pines, dense smoke obscured the vision of the gun crews. The British gunners could only aim at glimpses of American fire seen through the forest. Grapeshot rained down on both sides, inflicting injury and death., Field cannon were aimed at the enemy line to break troop formations and create havoc. The guns fired both grape and canister shot rather than solid iron cannon balls. Each cannon was attached to a carriage with two large wheels, allowing commanders to maneuver their guns in battle. Golf ball-sized iron grapeshot and .75 caliber lead balls, remnants of the carnage, were recovered here during archeological excavations., (caption) , Captain Singleton Opens Fire , Just before first light, Gates rode down his line, offering his men a few words of encouragement. He had just posted himself behind his reserve troops when he heard his artillery boom. Anthony Singleton, in command of four bronze six-pounders posted along the road, had spotted the British moving in column and fired on command.