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

The Americans Return

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

1. The Americans Return Marker

Inscription. In late March 1781, Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene made one of the most important decisions of the Revolutionary War. Rather than pursue Lord Cornwallis’s British force toward Wilmington, North Carolina, Greene resolved to lead the American army back to South Carolina.

Greene knew that if Cornwallis followed him, North Carolina would be fairly secure. Should Cornwallis not return to South Carolina, Greene saw an opportunity to strike the British posts scattered across that state. He ordered the partisan leaders to gather their men and be ready to cooperate with the Continental Army.

Cornwallis chose not to follow Greene; instead he marched to Virginia, leaving Lord Rawdon to contend with Greene’s invasion.

“All these considerations have determined me to change my route, and push directly into South Carolina.” Nathanael Greene

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

Location. 34° 15.107′ N, 80° 36.471′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It is at the intersection of Laurens Street and Broad Street, on the right when traveling south on Laurens Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milledgeville GA 31061, 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson (within shouting distance of this marker); James Polk Dickinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Action at Logtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Camden (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument to Kershaw County’s Confederate Dead (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Honor and Rememberance (about 300 feet away); Samuel Mathis House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

2. Overview

Map on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

3. Map on the marker

Routes of the Armies - March and April 1781

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.