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

Shots in the Dark

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

1. Shots in the Dark Marker

Inscription. Under a full moon in the dead of night, the advance guards of the two armies came upon each other on the Great Wagon Road. Britain’s Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, marching from Camden with his dragoons, promptly charged the American cavalry of Col. Charles Armand.

Although they routed Armand’s troops, the British were soon driven back by fire from American light infantry under Lt. Cols. Charles Porterfield (VA) and John Armstrong (NC).

Tarleton then called up the infantry and drove back the Americans, mortally wounding Porterfield.

Reluctant to continue battling in darkness, both armies halted and prepared for combat at dawn.

Erected by The Palmetto Conservation Foundation. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 34° 21.124′ N, 80° 36.412′ W. Marker is near Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It can be reached from Flat Rock Road (State Highway 58). 6.2 miles North of Camden off US 521 and 601 on SC 58. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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: A Night Skirmish (within shouting distance of this marker); All the King's Men

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(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charge and Countercharge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Attack at Dawn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Artillery Duel at Dawn (approx. ¼ mile away); Meet the American Army of 1780 (approx. ¼ mile away); Collapse of the Patriot Militia (approx. 0.3 miles away); Defeat in the Center (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

More about this marker. This marker is part of an interpretive trail series at the Battle of Camden National Historic Landmark.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

2. Overview

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

3. Inset

Awaiting daybreak, Gen. Horatio Gates assembled his officers. To his astonishment, newly captured Redcoats revealed that he faced Cornwallis and two thousand well-trained British troops. As options were desperately considered, Virginia’s Brig. Gen. Edward Stevens concluded: “Gentlemen, is it not too late now to do anything but fight?”

Map on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

4. Map on the marker

diagram of troops and troop movement

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.