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

Fruitless Victory

Photographed by Anna Inbody, May 1, 2011

1. Fruitless Victory Marker

Inscription. Lord Rawdon had defeated the American army at Hobkirk’s Hill, but the British gained nothing from the victory. Two days earlier, on April 23, South Carolina partisans under Francis Marion and Henry Lee’s Continental legion had forced the surrender of Fort Watson on the Santee River. The loss of this post cut the British line of communication between Charleston and Camden.

With his supply line severed, Greene’s army to the north, Marion and Lee to the southeast, and other partisans active west of Camden, Rawdon could not hold his position without risking the loss of his army. After receiving reinforcements on May 7, Rawdon tried to maneuver Greene into another battle but failed. He then decided to evacuate Camden.

“This little repulse will make no alteration in our general plan of operation.” Nathanael Greene, referring to his defeat at Hobkirk’s Hill

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1781.

Location. 34° 15.964′ N, 80° 36.309′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It is on Lyttleton Street, on the right

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when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205, 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Struggle for the Hill (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle Of Hobkirk Hill (about 700 feet away); William Washington's Ride (about 700 feet away); Forced to Retreat (about 700 feet away); Greene's Counterblow (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Greene's Headquarters (approx. 0.2 miles away); The British Attack (approx. 0.2 miles away); The British Army (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, May 1, 2011

2. Overview

Picture of Henry Lee on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody

3. Picture of Henry Lee on the marker

Portrait by Charles Willson Peale, c. 1782. Courtesy of Independence National Historical Park.

Picture of Francis Marion on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

4. Picture of Francis Marion on the marker

“Francis Marion, Swamp Fox” by Werner Willis, 1999, Werner Willis Fine Art.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 794 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on March 26, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.