Near Landrum in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Battle of Earle’s Ford

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

1. The Battle of Earle’s Ford Marker

Inscription. During the American Revolution, the Upcountry of South Carolina played a signficant role in the final outcome of the war. This location is part of the Spartanburg Are Revolutionary War Trail of significant events related to the Revolution in this area.

Late on July 14, 1780, a small detachment of Loyalists under Captain Dunlap left their post at Fort Prince to attack an encampment of Patriots lately arrived on the north side of the Pacolet River near Earle’s Ford. Arriving in the early morning hours of July 15, Captain Dunlap and his men splashed across the lightly guarded ford and attacked the surprised Patriots camped nearest the river. Soon afterwards, the remainder of the camp formed for battle. However, realizing he was badly outnumbered, Captain Dunlap hastily retreated.

The site is on private property and not accessible.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1780.

Location. 35° 11.416′ N, 82° 8.587′ W. Marker is near Landrum, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is on Landrum Road (South Carolina Route 14) 0.3 miles south of the State Line, on the left when traveling east. It is 0.9 miles east of the Interstate 26 Exit 1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2761 Landrum Rd, Columbus NC 28722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Earle's Ford and Fort (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wolfe Creek Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); James F. Byrnes Memorial Freeway (approx. 1.8 miles away); B. Frank Carruth (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Block House (approx. 4.8 miles away in North Carolina); The Brave Devoted Patriots (approx. 5.2 miles away in North Carolina); 1781 - NC Hornet's Nest Flag (approx. 5.2 miles away in North Carolina); 1781 - Battle of Cowpens Flag (approx. 5.2 miles away in North Carolina). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Landrum.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Earle's Ford (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This interpretive panel includes two maps and one photograph. The larger map on the right shows the Spartanburg County Revolutionary War Trail, and marks this spot as Site No. 10. On the left is a portion of a map captioned,

This 1887 map shows O.P. Earle’ crossing of the North Pacolet River. The Battle of Earle’s Ford took place near this crossing.

The photograph is of the DAR monument. It is captioned,

The Daughters of the American Revolution erected this monument near the location of the Battle of Earle’s Ford.

The DAR monument

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

2. The Battle of Earle’s Ford Marker

The Pacolet River highway bridge is in the distance.

is 0.6 miles south and has been recorded in this database.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.