Near McConnells in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Officers' Council

— Huck's Defeat Battlefield Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 3, 2025

1. The Officers' Council Marker

Inscription. The Patriot militia left Sumter's camp the night of July 11th, guided by a bright moon and an unusual display of the aurora borealis or "northern lights." They rode 40 miles through the night to the Bratton plantation, where they dismounted and made plan to attack. A council of officers including Colonel Bratton, Colonel Andrew Neel, Colonel Edward Lacey, Captain John McClure, and Captain Richard Winn divided the Patriot force into two divisions: one group under Bratton, Neel, and Captain James Reed would attack from the west, while the other group under Lacey and McClure would attack from the east.

"The Whigs marched on to within a short distance of Bratton's where they expected to find the British, and halted in the woods. After a short halt, it was ascertained that the British we're not at Bratton's, but down at Williamson's, and forth with they (The Whigs) marched down and attacked them, about daylight."
Lieutenant John Adair, Patriot militia officer

Huck's Defeat Battlefield
The map shows the layout of the Williamson Plantation and Battlefield in July 1780. The position of the Williamson house, British and

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Loyalist camps, and the Patriot lines of attack are indicated. Much of the battle took place in Williamson's Lane, a short road that connected the Williamson plantation to the Bratton plantation.

(Credit) Painting by Dan Nance © 2014

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1780.

Location. 34° 51.961′ N, 81° 10.309′ W. Marker is near McConnells, South Carolina, in York County. It can be reached from Brattonsville Road (South Carolina Route 165) north of Percival Road ( Road 46-380), on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the Huck's Defeat Battlefield Trail, located at Historic Brattonsville. The trail is to the east of the visitors center or to the north of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1444 Brattonsville Rd, Mc Connells SC 29726, 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

Huck's Defeat Battlefield map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 3, 2025

2. Huck's Defeat Battlefield map

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The James Williamson Plantation and Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); Huck's Death (within shouting distance of this marker); Attack on the British Provincials (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Martha and Watt (about 300 feet away); Attack on the Loyalist Militia Camp (about 300 feet away); The Combatants (about 400 feet away); Huck's Defeat (about 500 feet away); Brattonsville Academy 1840 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McConnells.

Also see . . . Battle of Huck's Defeat.

In the spring and summer of 1780, the Revolutionary War moved full force into York County. On the evening of July 10th, Captain Christian Huck of the British Legion was sent to arrest Patriot leaders in the area with about 120
Photographed by Mark Parker, May 3, 2025

3. The Officers' Council Marker on the Huck's Defeat Battlefield Trail
of his men, but many eluded capture. Huck’s forces headed for Colonel William Bratton’s plantation. On the way, the British confiscated food, horses, and other valuables from local families. Colonel Bratton was away with the militia at Thomas Sumter’s camp along the Catawba River.

(Submitted on June 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Battlefield Trail entrance to the left. Brattonsville parking lot on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 3, 2025

4. Battlefield Trail entrance to the left. Brattonsville parking lot on the right

Note: battlefield trail is a part of the entry fee, which is paid at the visitors center

Battlefield Trail sign behind the visitors center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 3, 2025

5. Battlefield Trail sign behind the visitors center

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.