"Camden" Topic

"The Battle of Camden was one of several devastating defeats suffered by the Americans in the early stages of the British military offensive in the South. After capturing Charleston in May 1780, British forces under General Charles Lord Cornwallis established a supply depot and garrison at Camden as part of their effort to secure control of the South Carolina backcountry.

In July, American Maj. Horatio Gates marched his army into South Carolina, intent on liberating the state from British control. As Gates neared Camden, word of his movement reached Cornwallis at his headquarters in Charleston. The British commander immediately left the city to take the field against Gates. The armies approached one another north of Camden early on the morning of August 16, 1780.

After a brief skirmish Gates formed his men for battle. He made a critical error in his deployment. Under the custom of 18th Century warfare, the most experienced units were placed on the right of the line. Gates positioned the veterans from the Maryland and Delaware Line on the right. He should, however, recognized that his opponent would do the same. The American commander positioned inexperienced Virginia militia under Brig. Gen. Edward Stevens on his left…."
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Amicalement
Armand

I don't believe that paints an accurate picture of the events leading up to Camden.

Gates joined DeKalb on July 25 and they began moving southward on July 27. About July 24 the 71st had already been ordered to withdraw from Gates, and they joined Rawdon at Camden about the time Gates started moving south. In the course of the 71st's withdrawal a group of about 100 sick troops were captured, depending on the source either in a rebel ambush or from Tory militia that was deserting to the rebels. This caused Cornwallis to order Wemyss to withdraw his troops of the 63rd from Georgetown around July 30. When Tarleton moved out from Charleston to Camden on July 31Cornwallis was talking to him about the developing threat from rebels in South Carolina. At the end of July Rawdon was writing Cornwallis about rebel militia attacks on British posts to his rear. On August 6 Cornwallis wrote Clinton about supplies he was shifting to Camden which were to be used for his proposed invasion of North Carolina, a project for which he earmarked the 23rd, 33rd, 63rd, 71st, the Volunteers of Ireland, Hamilton's Royal NC Regiment, part of the British Legion and the North Carolina Refugees. Other commands were designated to deal with the developing revolt in South Carolina. Shortly after the Battle of Hanging Rock Rawdon briefly detached the 23rd to help gather up the remaining British troops from that action. It not until about August 9 that Rawdon took up a position on Big Lynches Creek opposite Gates, sent out a request for reinforcements and ordered rebel sympathizers in Camden arrested om response to Gate's advance.

Cornwallis wasn't reacting to Gates advance when he concentrated his troops at Camden. He was acting to further his planned invasion of North Carolina and to deal with a developing problem of rebels in South Carolina. With the exception of the 63rd which arrived late, the troops that Cornwallis fought with at Camden were the troops he intended to lead into North Carolina.

Sorry that should have been the 71st was ordered to withdraw from CHERAW to Camden.

De Kalb's Maryland and Delaware Continentals quite literally 'followed him to the death' and earned undying fame doing so. One regiment of militia, Dixon's stood with them until defeated.

The survivors of de Kalb's Continentals were reorganized into one infantry regiment, the 1st Maryland which also had one of the two remaining Delaware companies attached to it. This company was commanded by Captain Jacquett. The other company was commanded by Captain Kirkwood and was designated a light infantry company.

These units were the elite of Greene's southern army and performed superbly at Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse.

Bill N. Great information, and I agree you paint a much better picture of what was happening. Always great to hear your thoughts. Thank you for posting this information.

Thanks!….

Amicalement
Armand

Thanks WillBGoode.