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

The Southern Campaign, Aug 1780 - Apr 1781

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

1. The Southern Campaign, Aug 1780 - Apr 1781 Marker

Inscription. After the American defeat at Camden in August 1780, the remnants of the Continental Army regrouped in North Carolina. Lord Cornwallis decided to follow up his victory with an invasion of that state, and advanced from Camden on September 8. The British reached Charlotte on September 26, but were forced to withdraw the following month after American militia from west of the Appalachians destroyed a Loyalist force commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson at Kings Mountain, South Carolina, on October 7.

In December Major General Nathanael Greene assumed command of the American army in the South. Greene remained at Cheraw, South Carolina, with part of his army and sent the remainder, under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, to operate in northwestern South Carolina. Cornwallis responded by dividing his own army, sending Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton to attack Morgan. On January 17, 1781, Morgan destroyed Tarleton’s force at the Cowpens, South Carolina.

“I was desirous to have a stroke at Tarleton … & have given him a devil of a whipping.” Daniel Morgan, after the Battle of Cowpens

Cornwallis set off in pursuit

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of Morgan, who reunited with Greene in North Carolina. The American army eluded Cornwallis and reached safety behind the Dan River in Virginia.

Greene soon returned to North Carolina but the British defeated him at Guilford Courthouse on March 15. Cornwallis, who had suffered heavy losses, then withdrew his exhausted army to Wilmington, North Carolina.

After following Cornwallis part of the way toward Wilmington, Greene made one of the most daring decisions of the war. He changed direction and led his army back to South Carolina. Cornwallis, after resting his soldiers, marched to Virginia to unite with the 5,000 British troops operating along Chesapeake Bay.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1936.

Location. 34° 14.053′ N, 80° 36.25′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. It can be reached from Broad Street. Marker is located in the Historic Camden Battle Site. 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

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

2. Overview

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: The Southern Campaign, Dec 1778 - Aug 1780 (here, next to this marker); The Southern Campaign, Apr 1781 - Dec 1782 (here, next to this marker); Camden - Strategic Key (here, next to this marker); The Fortified Post (a few steps from this marker); Palisade Wall (a few steps from this marker); Native Allies (within shouting distance of this marker); War in the Backcountry (within shouting distance of this marker); Bonds Conway (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Picture on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

3. Picture on the marker

Brigadier General Daniel Morgan Engraving after Chappel by Johnson, Fry & Co., 1862. Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

4. Picture on the marker

Battle of Cowpens ... Conflict between Col. Washington & Tarleton Engraved by Henry J. Johnson after Chappel, 1879. Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

Photographed by Anna Inbody, October 2, 2011

5. Picture on the marker

Lee's Cavalry Skirmishing at the Battle of Guilford Engraving After Chappel by Johnson, Fry & Co., 1857, courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 691 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 1, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.