During the American Revolution, a little-known battle, in a larger, ongoing civil war, leads to the ultimate defeat of a grand British strategy to finally put down the American colonists’ pursuit of independence…
As the warm, sticky blood of more than one hundred American colonists oozed and stained the otherwise deserted streets of Charles Town, the sun was slowly setting on the horizon, casting a fiery glow over the shambled city. Meanwhile, widely scattered bodies, both civilian and military, ravaged by open, fatal wounds, released a rancid, unbearable stench that fouled the surrounding air.
Outside, only a few British soldiers could stomach a continued patrol of the exterior perimeter, barely able to tolerate the offensive effluvium. Within the town, a severely outnumbered, injured, and exhausted American garrison, taking refuge in a ramshackle billet, previously given the impossible task of defending the port, was reluctantly preparing to surrender – they could fight no more.
For the past six weeks, Continental forces had been held up inside, mounting a grueling resistance, hoping for relief from their fellow soldiers from the North to arrive – help that never came. Now, thick billows of smoke plumes rose from seemingly every corner of the town, inflicted by nonstop flaming British cannon volleys that had been bombarding retail shops, taverns, private residences, churches, and anything built within, day after day for more than a fortnight.
By morning, the Royal assault would finally fall silent as Continental General Benjamin Lincoln begrudgingly accepted the terms of the invading enemy, led by Sir General Henry Clinton, who demanded complete capitulation – a total, unconditional surrender. Until this moment, Lincoln rejected all such insistences but finally had no other choice, as supplies ran far too low, no assistance had arrived, and extensive fatigue took its toll, resulting in a humiliating and demoralizing defeat for the cause of liberty.
Their loss would conversely reinvigorate the British, boost morale, and most importantly, give the Crown unmitigated control of one of the most strategic points in the conflict. The English forces had taken a magnificent prize, a crown jewel, the sophisticated epicenter that propelled an economic powerhouse, one that had unquestionably outperformed all other Southern colonies – Charles Town, South Carolina.
It was a glorious victory for the British army, who had previously taken Savannah, Georgia, only seventeen months before in late December of 1778, when 1,000 Redcoats, led by Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, marched on the city and quickly overwhelmed the Continental forces. This was the first strike of a new master plan England called its “Southern Strategy.”
Now, Charles Town – as it was so named at the time – also belonged to the British. The campaign would continue for the next eighteen months, led chiefly by Lord Charles Cornwallis, who prosecuted the Carolinas Campaign.
Though only 92 Continental soldiers were killed during the British siege of Charles Town, more than 148 were wounded and 5,266 were captured – the largest surrender of U.S. troops until the American Civil War. Additionally, the Americans gave up over 300 pieces of artillery, approximately 5,000 muskets, and about 30,00 rounds of ammunition.
By comparison, the British suffered just 76 casualties and 189 wounded. The surrender was a major blow to the American cause. It gave the Crown total control of a key port, one that was a major source of supplies for the already beleaguered Continental Army – one that could barely keep itself in the prolonged fight.
A case in point – the freezing and starving troops snowed in at Morristown, New Jersey, some seven hundred miles northeast, who could not escape the ice because they did not have shoes to walk in or clothing warm enough to retreat away from the frigid conditions that began in November and persisted well into the month of May. Although Valley Forge of 1777 – 1778 is much more well-known, by all accounts, it was actually just an average winter.
However, Morristown of 1779 – 1780 is considered to have suffered the longest and coldest winter of the entire 18th century. In fact, it came to be known as “the hard winter,” producing an astounding twenty-eight snowstorms, freezing the Delaware and Hudson Rivers solid, with temperatures that rarely rose above freezing for nearly seven months.
Their commander, one George Washington, who famously served at Valley Forge two years earily, could only wait, and hope against all odds, for good news to come from out of the South, powerless to do anything to help his fellow soldiers under siege. He, like the ten- to twelve-thousand troops, were irretrievably trapped in the relentless, unforgiving, freezing conditions.
Still, Washington and his peers did appreciate the brilliance of the new British tactics. After all, this wasn’t just a hurried and overzealous maneuver. In fact, quite the opposite. The Crown’s generals had indeed thought this through thoroughly, developing just the right approach to hit the rebels where it hurt most and wreak utter havoc on the intolerable, insubordinate insurgency. An iniquitous rebellion that dared to seek autonomy from the protective, benevolent British Empire. But thankfully, also a kingdom that had plenty of experience in quashing such uprisings.
Slow, Steady, Siege!
Indeed, England boasted a long, successful history of conquest. Starting with the barbaric pagans that resided on the Emerald Isle, just twelve miles across the Irish Sea, then south to Wales, and not long thereafter, to the north into Scotland.
The first major English invasion of Ireland took place in 1169, when a group of Anglo-Norman knights led by Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow, landed in Ireland and defeated the local king, Diarmait Mac Murchada.
A little over a century later, Edward I of England invaded Wales in 1277. Then again, in 1282 and 1283, which ended the independence of the country as a sovereign state. About thirteen years later, King Edward I yet again ordered a subsequent invasion, but this time, into Scotland in 1296.
Almost three hundred years later, in 1585, the English arrived on the shore of North America and established a colony in present-day North Carolina known as Roanoke. Slightly over two decades later, in 1607, Jamestown became the next colony, followed by Plymouth in 1620.
All the while, the English had to contend with a number of natural obstacles, native peoples, as well as other nations, chiefly the French and Dutch. Now, the British were doing the same thing again, but this time, across a vast ocean, some 3,000 miles away. And, to their own subjects – at least from Parliament’s perspective. However, not all of the residents of the settlements shared the same sentiment.
Still, the colonies, though quite distant, were an economic boon to the Crown, and losing those provinces was a very disturbing thought. So, it was imperative to keep control, especially because the Empire was at war with its old enemy, France, who would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity to annex those precious colonies in North America. Such an addition would surely give the French a decided advantage.
Ironically, the British Southern Strategy that had successfully taken Savannah and Charles Town didn’t begin with artillery, but a pen. British Army General Sir Henry Clinton issued the Philipsburg Proclamation on June 30th, 1779, a decree that granted freedom to all enslaved people held by colonists, whether or not they fought for the Crown. The intent of the proclamation was to encourage slaves to run away and enlist in the Royal Forces.
However, this did not produce the results England hoped to achieve – although, a number of slaves did take up the opportunity, the number was far fewer than predicted. Regardless of the overestimation, five months later, in December, British General Henry Clinton, General Charles Cornwallis, and 8,500 Redcoat regulars set sail on 90 transport ships, accompanied by 14 warships.
By February 1780, the British were just thirty miles south of Charles Town. In March, the Royal forces had widely fanned out, approaching the city from the west, south, and east.
Meanwhile, Continental General Benjamin Lincoln was tasked with defending the city with two thousand fewer troops – 6,500 soldiers – which included some militia. But, even if the commanding officer had twice as many men, the city, surrounded by water, was easy to approach for the British, who wielded a far superior naval force – one that the Americans had to contend with in ingenuitive ways.
By late March, a contingent of the Royal war fleet had penetrated colonial defenses and began to shell Fort Moultrie from a nearby harbor. At the end of the same month, Charles Town was totally surrounded and the siege would last for over 40 days.
It began in earnest on April 1, 1780, when British forces began digging siege lines around Charles Town in creeping, closing concentric circles – tightening the noose. On April 12, 1780, with the Redcoats closing in, American forces under Continental General Benjamin Lincoln attempted in vain to break out of the siege.
In light of the circumstances and a worsening situation, General Lincoln attempted to negotiate a conditional surrender several times, requesting his men be allowed to go free, but Lord Clinton refused and demanded unconditional surrender.
On May 8, 1780, the Redcoats reached the American lines, and the Royal Army started to fire heated shot right into the heart of the city, causing substantial destruction, chaos, and utter panic. Still, General Lincoln, forever loyal to the cause of freedom, refused to surrender the town.
After three days of suffering the reign of fire, the citizens of the city personally approached the commanding Continental officer, begging and pleading with him to surrender. The next day, on May 12, 1780, Lincoln acquiesced to the residents and relinquished Charles Town, South Carolina to British General Henry Clinton.
News of the victory spread quickly and upon receiving the good word, British General Lord Charles Cornwallis started to lead the Royal forces north in what would become the Carolinas Campaign.
Meanwhile, in Morristown New, Jersey, the poor state of the Continental Army was so abysmal, with freezing conditions persisting even during the month of May, starving troops began to plan a mutiny. George Washington, desperate to maintain discipline among his weakened and despondent men, ordered the hanging of eight soldiers – who had committed a number of serious crimes – to be held on May 26th, 1780.
Eight nooses were hung from the gallows and the convicted men were somberly escorted by armed guards to the death scaffold, where eight graves, freshly dug, were surrounded by eight open, empty, cheap pine coffins.
Just as the nooses were strung around the necks of the condemned and tightened, a low-level aide to Washington burst through the crowd waving papers and yelling, “Reprieve! Reprieve from the Commander and Chief!”
Hearing the proclamation, the executioners immediately stood down. The junior officer hurriedly climbed the steps and presented seven official orders to the hangmen. However, not everyone on the gallows was spared. James Coleman of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment was not awarded amnesty. He was subsequently hung to death moments later for numerous instances of gross insubordination, repeated desertion, and forgery.
His swift, merciless execution sent a strong signal to the rest of the soldiers, who immediately abandoned any plans to mutiny or desert. Instead, they committed to steel their resolve to the cause of liberty, particularly now that it looked like the British would win. Defeat would surely mean death for treason against the Crown – they had nothing left to lose.
Living Among the Loyalists
Still, the resolve of the northern settlements, particularly among the Continental troops, wasn’t necessarily shared by all the colonies or their inhabitants. Down in the southern establishments, the war in the North was a faraway conflict, and life in places like Georgia, South and North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia was relatively normal. The rich went about their day-to-day business, living the high life, attending balls, and indulging in the finest food and drink.
And, this was precisely what the British were counting on. Southern plantation owners built their wealth by selling most of their goods to England, and some even to France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Such robust industry not only further enriched the upper class, it likewise benefited local merchants, tradesmen, and professionals, who shared in the abundance. Hence, the people in the South owed their good fortune to the British – and that could be leveraged by the Empire.
The reciprocal relationship in turn produced an attitude that permeated throughout the Southern colonies, resulting in a majority taking sides with the Crown. But, this wasn’t an anomaly. It’s a little-known historical fact that there were more colonists siding with and fighting for England than there were fighting for independence from the Kingdom.
England knew this all too well, and having to wage two wars simultaneously against the Continentals and the French too, just wasn’t feasible. The Crown had to find a way to crush the rebellion and keep their age-old rival from joining the colonists. And, the best way to go about that goal was to foment discord between those loyal to the Empire – the majority – and the rebels – a smaller minority.
Unsurprisingly, this ultimately led to several confrontations – many of which went way beyond harsh words. Throughout the Southern colonies, feuds began to erupt between people loyal to England and individuals who wanted sovereignty. As the immense war in the North raged on, small civil wars increasingly broke out.
This was something Jebediah Trane knew all too well because he experienced such conflicts firsthand. Born in South Carolina in 1747, Jebediah grew up on his family’s farm and served as a courier and a scout in the French and Indian War, or Seven Years’ War, for two years, starting at the age of fourteen. When the conflict ended in 1763, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, he returned home to work. At the age of twenty-eight, he inherited the ancestral farm.
It was during this time, Jebediah became acquainted with a phrase gaining popularity among the agrarian class – “Root, hog, or die!”
The phrase was an American idiom that meant to be laborious or starve. It’s thought to have originated in the early 18th century when pigs were typically turned loose in the woods to fend for themselves. If the pigs did not find enough food to eat, they would die. The phrase was often used as a motivational saying, encouraging people to work hard and not give up.
But, even though his family had prospered by trading with the British, before his father’s death, his dad grew increasingly resentful of Parliament imposing more taxes and regulations. His father’s indignation, along with Jebediah’s brother badly suffering from the oppressive pine tree laws that made it mandatory for growers to reserve the best of their stock for the British Royal Navy and greatly cut into his sibling’s profits, outraged the increasingly dispossessed rancher.
When news of the subsequent Pine Tree Riot reached Jebediah through a letter sent by his brother, who had moved to New Hampshire years earlier, the Southern granger quietly celebrated the rebellion. After all, those same types of laws were slowly eroding his farm’s lucrativeness, deeply hurting it financially, as additional regulations were passed.
While these laws inflicted more and more damage to his business, Jebediah started to speak out against the Crown publicly and began to form unspoken alliances with like-minded individuals who also wholeheartedly believed the only way for their enterprises to survive was through the independence of the American colonies.
The Redcoats had taken Savannah and Charles Town and were moving further into the Carolinas. Now, well into July of 1780, it would be only a matter of time before the Royal Army seized his farm for not supporting England and opposing its local Provincial Loyalists. Such action would leave Jebediah and his family destitute and a pariah to those who would confiscate his business, land, and personal possessions.
Yet, Trane quickly discovered his views were unpopular with most of his neighbors, customers, vendors, and even fellow church parishioners. The people involved in his daily life were almost exclusively Loyalists – they sided with England because they felt an allegiance and kinship – much to Jebediah’s chagrin.
Removed so many years and even generations from conventional British society, the Provincial Loyalists had yet to realize their fidelity to the Crown meant little beyond a means to an end for the Empire.
It was a fact Benjamin Franklin had reluctantly conceded long ago, after an eighteenth-month stay in England in 1764. The author of the widely popular Farmers’ Almanac had learned through personal experience during his lengthy third and final visit, that he was no longer considered an Englishman like his parents, but an unrefined colonist.
To the people in upper British society, Franklin was an unsophisticated frontiersman – an American. Although regarded as a gentleman in the land of his birth, he was not part of the aristocracy of his parents’ home country.
That’s why it’s been said Franklin left the colonies an Englishman and returned from Britain an American. He found out firsthand regardless of his accomplishments, no matter his personal wealth (he was the fourth richest person in the colonies when he died in 1790), and irrespective of his gentility, he would never be accepted among the very people he thought were his contemporary peers.
Now, Jebediah Trane faced similar circumstances. The more he interacted with others, the more he became aware of this dichotomy. Indeed, there were relatively few who shared his attitude. About forty percent of his fellow colonists sided with the Crown. Another thirty-plus wanted no part of the widening rift whatsoever. And, the remaining minority who actually favored independence was also fragmented – some would take up arms but a substantial number would not dare do so.
Although, Jebediah knew deep down in his heart that it would eventually become necessary for him to join the cause. If not as part of the formal Continental Army, then as a militia member, or whichever role required to break ties with England and give him the freedom he and sympathetic individuals sincerely sought.
But, he had to be smart about who he approached, how they’d proceed, and organize – not if, but when – the time came to take action. It wasn’t an easy task. Still, the patriot farmer understood what was at stake was just too valuable. Along with the right people, he and those who sought their independence could one day prove themselves consequential. However, all of this hinged on identifying allies. Allies willing to take up arms and fight for freedom.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Jebediah Trane could clearly see what many other Southern estate owners would not – the war in the North between the colonists and Crown wasn’t a faraway conflict. It wasn’t just a quasi-civil war. Proving his instinct right, was the fact that sides were already being chosen throughout the South. And, the Empire wouldn’t stop with only a few Southern port seizures. Parliament sought unrivaled control of all of the colonies.
Surely, at least some others would come to the same conclusion. Whether they were also farmers or blacksmiths. Or, coopers, wheelwrights, tailors, milliners, apothecaries, cabinetmakers, accountants, or shoemakers. It didn’t matter their profession, so long as they were dedicated to the cause of liberty. And, more importantly, were eager to fight when called.
Trane believed his best bet would be the local pub. A place the wealthy – those who relied heavily upon exports to England for their businesses – never visited and a place where the aggrieved commiserated.
“Mr. Jebediah Trane! What brings you to my establishment? The wife make her famous fricassee again?”
“Hello, Oscar. Good to see you’re in such high spirits! A pint, if you please! And, give me a plate, too…can’t skip supper…empty stomach, you see…I just can’t eat her fricassee.”
“Be right up!” Oscar enthusiastically assured his long-time friend, then quickly served his guest.
“Thanks, Oscar – much appreciated.”
“So, why the appearance? Haven’t seen you in several weeks, Jebediah.”
“Oh, you know. I’ve been working dawn to dusk. How’s business here?”
“Business is good, thanks to His Majesty’s finest! In fact, they ought to be here any moment now. They love a hearty meal, plenty of drink, and some time with the ladies, if ya’ know what I mean.”
“Wow. How many of ‘His Majesty’s finest,’ if you don’t mind me asking, Oscar?”
“Typically thirty or more.”
“I’ve not heard a thing about the Royal Army being stationed around town.”
“Oh no. They’re just companies passing through. But, they’ve been making a regular appearance since Charles Town.”
“I don’t follow.”
“It’s never the same crew, Jebadiah. Always different faces, but in the same uniforms. Since there’s no camp set up, they come here for a simple lunch or square supper.”
“Well, that’s great for the tavern!”
“Sure is. But, just between you and me, I don’t mind takin’ their money, as long as they keep on movin’… if ya’ know what I mean?”
“Most certainly. Any idea where they’re headed?”
“Word has it their moving into Virginia.”
“How many units, Oscar?”
“Last crew made seven so far.”
“Three more companies make a full regiment.”
“Yep, one whole battalion of Redcoats.”
“No overnighters, I take it?”
“Nope. Heard some of them talking, though. They’ve set up camp outside of town.”
“What about your rooms, the livery stable, and such?”
“Not here, but Langston has hosted a few of the senior officers.”
“Mayor Hodge?”
“Yes indeed – got more than just a few folks wondering, I can tell you that, Jebediah.”
Mayor Langston Hodge had been a fixture in the town for many years. A lawyer by trade, he moved into local politics, courtesy of his family’s connections – hailing from wealthy British aristocracy.
He had bigger ambitions and previously jockeyed to become governor – a position recently stolen from one John Rutledge whose property had been confiscated by the British and who had just narrowly escaped to North Carolina.
At 30 years old, Hodge already racked up an impressive public image resume, practicing law for five years after graduating from Yale. He then worked as a trade liaison for another five years, before serving as the postal master for three years.
“I suppose you know, Oscar, Langston has always wanted to move up in the world. I reckon giving high-ranking officers of the Crown the best treatment won’t hurt his ambitions.”
“No, no, it wouldn’t Jebediah.”
“Well, thanks for the pint and fine meal, my friend.”
“You’re welcome.”
Just as he stood, a British sergeant entered the tavern, followed by another of the same rank, and called out, “Good evening everyone! My men are in need of a good meal.”
“This makes it eight, right?” Jebediah whispered
“Uh huh – eight total,” Oscar replied in a low voice.
“They are marching an entire regiment right into Virginia,” Jebediah said softly out of the corner of his mouth.
“Concerned?”
“Very much.”
“Then, be at Dawson’s livery before dawn tomorrow, Jebediah.”
Just before dawn broke, Jebediah approached Lionel Dawson’s livery stable. It was quiet. So quiet, the farmer thought no one else was there. As he entered, he could faintly hear voices. One sounded all too familiar – his neighbor, Atticus Billings – a fellow farmer with a sizeable plantation bigger than Trane’s own stead, but still smaller than the largest ones in the area.
When he turned the corner, Jebediah saw a group of men huddled together, holding candles. They exchanged words in soft voices so as not to disturb the animals and just in case the wrong person or people were to hear.
Seeing the farmer present, the men gave him a warm greeting. And immediately began discussing the situation at hand, attempting to figure out the best course of action for both the short- and long-term.
“Oscar tells me eight companies of Redcoats have passed through his tavern. For those of you unfamiliar with military matters, that’s only two units short of a whole battalion – approximately three-hundred-fifty to four hundred troops – maybe more.”
“What’s that mean, Jebediah?”
“Well, Mr. Atticus Billings, I didn’t expect to see you here. Shouldn’t you be attending to your estate?”
“What estate? My plantation is all but still. Half of the slaves took up the British offer, and the rest fled to the North.”
“So sorry to hear that.”
“It’s a travesty…nothing short of a travesty. My family’s estate has been there for almost seventy years. Now, it’s rotting in the sun and I don’t have the resources to save it.”
“Well, I don’t have no slaves. But my business is hurtin’ from all these damn regulations from Parliament. Those laws are chokin’ me. Won’t be too long before I have to shutter the place.”
“Seems to be a common phenomenon, there Willey. And, what about you Lionel?”
“Redcoats killed my little brother up North. Left his wife a widow and his children without a father, Jebediah.”
“Okay, we all get it. King George is hurting all of us. Now, what was that you were saying about a battalion, Mr. Trane?”
“Oh yes. You see, Atticus, a battalion or regiment, is a big force. To put it in perspective, it only took one thousand Redcoats to seize Savannah, Georgia, about three regiments. So, it’s significant. And, if they’re assembling five or more battalions, that’s more than enough to take a big prize.”
“‘Five or more,’ what’s that mean, Jebediah.”
“An entire brigade. A brigade is a minimum of five regiments or battalions. Anywhere from eighteen hundred to two thousand, well-trained, battle-hardened soldiers…about what the Crown used to take Charles Town back in May.”
“It’s almost August, Jebediah.”
“That’s right, Oscar. By my calculation, the Redcoats will keep moving deeper and deeper into the Southern colonies. They’ll sail their warships right up to the ports and march their troops to other key locations.”
“Where do you think they’re going?”
“I’m not sure, Lionel. My guess is they’re out for a strategic location – something important, Lionel. I’ll write my wife’s cousin. He’s a Continental officer with the regulars.”
“So, they’re just passing us by, Jebediah?”
“We’re not significant enough to bother with, Mr. Billings. No, they appear to be focused on larger, key points.”
“That’s great! Especially considering there’s fewer than twenty of us here.”
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t make us immune to other threats, Atticus, we’re still very much vulnerable until this war is won…until that time, we’re going to have to stick together and be ready to fight.”
“Can the colonies win?”
“There have been significant victories in the North, Mr. Billings. But, it will take more to gain our freedom from England – a lot more, I’m afraid.”
In an instant, the small faction felt a sense of unshakable uneasiness and Jebediah had yet to know how right his instincts were. The British were doing something in a very deliberate manner – something the Southern colonies, largely unengaged from the war raging in the North, did not see coming.
And, that was a very good perspective as far as Parliament was concerned. The combination of the Southern colonists’ ignorance, unwillingness to join the fight for liberty, and the large population of Loyalists presented a prime opportunity – one the King and His Royal Army would exploit to the fullest extent possible.
This Calls for a Different Strategy
Jebediah Trane’s intuition and observation were correct. The British weren’t making progress in New England in their mission to quash the uprising in places like Massachusetts. Plus, there wasn’t anything the Northern settlements produced that England didn’t have access to from other sources.
However, that wasn’t the case with the South. Precious commodities coming out of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia weren’t readily available elsewhere. The Empire could not keep up its trade and war effort without exported materials like rice, cotton, indigo, and more.
Plus, there were a substantial number of slaves in the Southern colonies. And, a sizeable population of Indians who were eager to get rid of European settlers. Those two groups represented a valuable resource of potential fighters to take up arms for the Crown – men the Empire increasingly needed.
Although the Royal Forces did win important battles, as they did in crushing General George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine, then again at the Battle of the Clouds, and an unopposed occupation of Philadelphia. However, the Continentals pushed back and subsequently achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777.
Only four months later, the French allied with the colonies in February 1778, bringing fresh resources, years of combat experience, and impressive and effective war materials. Frustrating the British even more was the capture of several outposts in the Ohio territory by rebel forces, mostly led by Virginian George Rogers Clark.
With so many setbacks in New England and the modern Midwest, the South was far more vulnerable. This led the British to revisit their war plans, even though they had previously suffered losses in places like Moores Creek and Sullivan’s Island. The former defeat came at the hands of Patriots in February 1776 and again in late June 1776. These were unsuccessful forerunners of the British tactics when high-level officers proposed plans for a southern campaign back in 1775.
Now, with momentum turning against England, the Royal forces set their sights on the South again, starting with the capture of Savannah, the capital of Georgia, in December 1778 and the subsequent victorious siege of Charles Town, South Carolina in May 1780. These successes would further the renewed “Southern Strategy,” a plan to take key southern ports, enlist the aid of loyalist militiamen, and move northward to pacify one region after another.
Initially, the recommenced Southern Strategy delivered some success. The British captured a number of strategically located cities, including Yorktown, The Battle of Camden was an Imperial victory in South Carolina on August 16, 1780, Wilmington on January 28, 1781, and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781, when a British force of 2,200 men defeated the Continentals’ 4,400+ men.
All of these victories emboldened England and demoralized the colonies in the North – further discouraging rebel resistance in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Plus, such successes would also aid the British in their pursuit of taking key points in the South and seizing control of vital resources, like timber, cotton, rice, and more.
With the right messaging and agreements, the Royal Forces could enlist the help of slaves and Indians, capitalize on the internecine rivalries between classes in the colonies (some settlers would not support others due to long-running disputes or simply over class structure), rally Loyalist support, plus undermine any future cooperation between the Southern and Northern colonies.
These tactics would consequently weaken the colonies of Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia so much, that any resistance by any armed Continental and militia remaining would be forced to surrender, cutting off vital support to New England and thus ending the entire uprising.
In the alternative, if these plans were insufficient, Parliament was prepared to give the North its independence while maintaining ultimate control over the South, due to its abundant and cheap resources. This contingency wasn’t appealing to Britain, but it remained an open consideration, given present circumstances and future possibilities.
Still, the Southern Strategy at large still depended on recruiting or allying with various factions and peoples. With France in the war, the British would need numerous aggrieved slaves, willing native tribes, and as many Loyalists as they could get.
But, since the latter outnumbered those seeking independence in the Southern colonies, this seemed like a sound strategy. Nevertheless, England underestimated the resolve of the emerging American spirit – the so-called “rebels” were more sophisticated and dedicated, than England gave them credit.
Things Go South
Although many colonists who wanted independence lacked military training and experience, they shared a fevered resolve to gain their freedom from the Crown. People such as Willey Jinks, a carriage repairman and painter, who only participated in one light engagement in the French and Indian War before suffering a badly wounded leg, were among those seeking liberty.
His injury, which caused him to awkwardly limp, served as a daily reminder to anyone he encountered of his tenacity. Knowing the stakes, he offered to host the next meeting at his carriage repair and paint shop.
“Well, Jebediah, any word from your wife’s cousin – the Continental officer you mentioned at our last meeting?”
“I have his letter right here, Willey!”
“Good news or bad news?”
“Perhaps you should read it, Mr. Billings.”
Atticus eagerly took the envelope from Jebediah, hastily opened it, and read through the letter quickly.
“What did he write, Mr. Billings?”
“Military jargon, Willey. It’s a lot of…”
“Lieutenant McDowell, my wife’s cousin, has a long and distinguished record. He’s been a soldier his entire adult life – you see. So, it’s no surprise he writes as he speaks.”
“Alright. Then, what’s he sayin’ there Mr. Trane?”
“In short, things aren’t going very well for England in the Northern colonies. The Continentals know this and have activated militia to aggravate and slow their progress here in the South. However, the Crown is appealing to anyone willing to help out, Willey. If Parliament can assemble enough men – between Loyalists, slaves, and Indians, we’ll be totally outnumbered.”
“But, why would the Empire need locals, Indians, and slaves, Jebediah? They’ve got the biggest army and navy in the world!”
“That’s true, Atticus. But, their regular forces are preoccupied and too big to operate in small environments.”
“So, what you’re sayin’ is that we really ain’t safe?”
“Indeed, Willey. England will muster as many as possible.”
“To do what?”
“To put down any resistance, no matter how small, Mr. Billings.”
“Don’t follow, ya’ there, Mr. Trane.”
“I mean England won’t waste its time dispatching large infantries to deal with pesky problems. They’ll use small detachments – Provincials instead.”
“Who else is lost beside me?”
“What Jebediah saying, Mr. Billings, is the Crown will rally its stalwarts. People who support England.”
“You mean, like Francis Vaines, Lionel?”
“Mr. Hodge? What about Francis Vaines?”
“That’s Colonel Francis Vaines, Mr. Dawson.”
“Colonel? I think everybody knew he was a Tory, but you’re telling us he’s leading the local Provincials?”
“Yes, Mr. Billings – it’s Colonel Vaines, now, Lionel.”
“What brings you here – Hodge?” Willey snidely interrupted. “And why aren’t you wearin’ red?”
“I have to be practical, Mr. Jinks!” Langston quipped back.
“I believe we all understand, Mayor. Now, what about – as you say – ‘Colonel Vaines?’”
“That’s precisely why I’m here. He and his men are headed out for the backcountry.”
“Right now?”
“As we speak, Mr. Trane.”
“Lot of hotheads in the backcountry, Mayor.”
“Indeed. Seems to me, they’re looking to pick a fight.”
A fight was exactly what Vaines was after. He led a hand-picked group of Tories to take on the most vocal and ardent backwoods dwellers. The newly appointed Colonel’s idea was to confront and arrest rural homesteaders who had previously publicly spoken out against the Crown.
His unrestrained enthusiasm and lack of familiarity with the backwoods terrain would prove costly, though. The very first encounter with those he sought to detain ended in abysmal failure. The backland mountain men put up a fierce and valiant fight using guerrilla tactics never seen by Francis Vaines or his men.
It would be followed by more subsequent defeats, ultimately resulting in the Royal Forces ordering their Provincial Loyalists to stand down until they could devise a new plan for more vulnerable and tactical targets that actually held real value.
The Backcountry Becomes the New Front
Francis Vaines certainly wasn’t the only loyalist in the colonies. All over the South, many others sharing fidelity to the Empire also joined up with the Provincials. This inevitably led to a small counter-movement, resulting in several violent confrontations.
Even before the siege of Charles Town, patriot resistance fighters had taken up arms against Tory Loyalists in bloody clash after clash. The Southern colonies were in the midst of a vicious civil war while the War for Independence in the North recorded more and more American victories, stifling the British quest to put down the rebellion.
The reasons for this turn of events were many. Not least of which were a number of strategic miscalculations by the Royal Forces. Also, England’s army was far too large to effectively maneuver and negotiate unfamiliar and hostile terrain.
Conversely, the much smaller American detachments had the ability to move nimbly and on the fly. Moreover, since the British forces were so large and spread out, it was nearly impossible to keep them well-provisioned and fed. This led England to suffer a steady bleed of desertion – about seven percent of Redcoats outright abandoned their posts or fled never to return.
And, even though the Continentals experienced a much larger percentage of desertion – estimated to be between twenty to twenty-five percent – the aggregate numbers were far fewer by net comparison.
The Brits couldn’t afford to lose a single soldier to desertion because it would cast a negative image and signal the Crown could not win the war. On the other hand, though desertion was much more common among the Continentals, it was understood by the general population, who usually could not afford to lose a helping hand.
All throughout the backcountry of Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, irregulars went up against Tories, resulting in a substantial number of dead and wounded. These micro-conflicts sometimes lasted only briefly, while others carried on for hours, and still others went on for days.
However, the British allies only achieved a small number of victories. In the majority of these internecine backland battles, the Patriots were successful. Such disappointing outcomes prompted Parliament to look for a new approach. England now understood the backlands weren’t worth the time and effort – even for provincial troops. The Empire needed to redirect its Loyalists, instructing the Tory forces to strike at more vital targets.
Colonel Francis Vaines, having received word through the official chain of command, leaped at the opportunity to prove his worth. After all, he desperately sought to repair his recently damaged reputation. The losses he suffered also hurt his pride – he simply could not bear such humiliation, especially in light of his background.
Born in New France (now modern-day Canada) in 1749, the thirty-one-year-old son of two English parents grew up in a British-style household. His family relocated to Massachusetts when he was just a boy. But as the Northern colony grew increasingly against slavery, his mother and father bought a large plantation in South Carolina and moved to the colony when he was thirteen.
A year later, the teen joined the Royal Army as a water carrier and messenger. But he only served a few months, as the conflict drew to a close in February 1763, with the British winning the war over France.
He returned to his family’s home immediately after and spent the following years studying at a private school, then subsequently graduated from The College of William and Mary in Virginia by the time he was seventeen. He interned in a prestigious South Carolinian law firm thereafter and practiced law for a few years before inheriting the family’s vast plantation.
All the while, his father would travel back and forth from England, often doing business with the aristocracy of high British society. His father died in London during one such trip and his mother ran the familial estate in South Carolina until her death about two years later.
With such a background, Francis felt he owed a great deal to Britain, and when the war broke out in the colonies, he pledged his allegiance to the Crown. Now, he was a commissioned Colonel serving the Provincial Loyalists.
Eager to make a dramatic impression on his superiors, Vaines set out on a zealous quest, but each mission ended in defeat. So, he readily agreed when word came down that Parliament was ordering a change in tactics.
The timing couldn’t be better, it would give Francis another chance to prove himself. Plus, he allowed him to realize his previous attempts, though unsuccessful, were directed at the wrong people. Arresting backwood mountain men would have been inconsequential anyway. However, other, more valuable targets, would give him the results England sought – to demoralize the patriot residents of the Southern colonies and give the Crown renewed control over Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia.
Avoiding Newton’s Third Law
“Captain Harington!”
“Yes, Colonel Vaines?!”
“Call our soldiers to muster! Have them assemble first thing in the morning!”
“Right away, Colonel!”
Just as the sun rose with dawn breaking, dozens of partisan Loyalists lined up in formation, following the directions given by their senior lieutenant orchestrating the group.
“Men. We’ve been given a new directive from Royal Army Command. His Majesty is growing tired of this ridiculous notion the colonies should be sovereign. As you know, the good fortunes enjoyed here in the New World are directly credited to the Old Country!”
“Here! Here!” The men shouted in unison, demonstrating their ardent support.
“Parliament has deemed it necessary to take more drastic action. In order to do this, we must strike strategically!”
“Here! Here!” The troops yelled again.
“Therefore, effective immediately, we will confiscate the property of anyone who is not loyal to the Crown!”
“Here! Here!”
“We’ll start with Atticus Billings’ estate! Then, onto Lionel Dawson’s livery stable! Next, we’ll take Willey Jinks’ carriage repair and paint shop! Finally, we’ll grab Jebediah Tranes’ farm! All these rebels are well-known scoundrels and fully deserve what’s coming to them!”
The troops enthusiastically stood at attention, signaling they were ready to march. Vaines mounted his horse and led them to Billings’ property. When the detachment approached the property, a startled farmhand dropped his tool and ran straight into the main house.
“What?”
“Provincial Loyalists! They’re right outside, Mr. Billings!”
“Then, ride into town this instant, alert Mr. Dawson at the carriage shop and Mr. Jinks at the livery stable! And have them bring Mr. Trane, as well!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Now, go! Go! Go!”
Hearing all the commotion, the other farm workers rushed into the house.
“What do we do, boss?”
“Fetch the muskets! Fetch the muskets!”
The fieldhands immediately obeyed and quickly returned with the rifles, but it was already too late. The Provincials surrounded the house with their weapons drawn and at the ready.
“Mr. Billings! Surrender your property! Surrender your property to the Crown!” Colonel Vaines demanded.
Seeing he was clearly outgunned and outnumbered, Atticus lowered his flintlock, deeply sighed in disappointment, and shook his head, acknowledging his acquiescence.
By the time Lionel, Willey, and Jebediah showed up with their fellow Patriots, the farm had been taken over and they could do nothing to help. So, the men offered their condolences, hoping to gain some insight into what was happening.
“We’re sorry, Atticus.”
“Thank you. But, now is not the time to brood on my misfortune. I overheard some of the Provincials talking. They’re going after your place, next Jebediah.”
“My property?”
“To the best of my knowledge, yes.”
“Then, let’s go. I have an idea.”
The men quickly followed Jebediah to his farm and rapidly set up traps all around the perimeter. Meanwhile, Atticus hid long and short arms in every approachable direction so that every post was equipped with ample ammunition – more than enough to repel intruders at a lengthy range from carefully concealed positions.
When Colonel Vaines and his Royalists appeared in the distance, well before the Tories even marched onto Trane’s land, they were surprised with coordinated fire. Chaos and confusion instantaneously broke out. Panicked, afraid, and unable to swiftly pinpoint and effectively return fire, the Provincials immediately scattered, hastily running away, despite orders not to retreat.
Word of the Patriots’ brave actions got around town fast. In the ensuing days, the ranks of the opposition against the English partisans grew, and when the Loyalists attempted to take Lionel Dawson’s livery stable two days later, they were met with fierce and effective resistance from an expanding force.
Sabotage and Seize
The very next day, the Francis’ Provincials formally requested more troops to join. By the following week, a sizable Loyalist force had assembled and set out for Willey Jinks’ carriage repair shop. This time, well-equipped and with a solid plan in place, the British partisans encircled the wagon refurbishment store.
Closing in steadily with rifles and swords drawn, they attempted to enter the retail establishment, only to be met with intense pushback from the Patriots. Before the Tories stepped foot in the shop, they were stopped by sudden and forceful guerrilla-style attacks.
With no real possibility of taking the shop, the Tories withdrew, exiting the grounds the way they came.
“Good job men! Great job!” Jebediah enthusiastically congratulated his band to the raucous resound of cheerful clapping and whistles.
“What do you say we finally put an end to this madness?”
The men fervently shouted back in agreement, raising their hands high in the air, ready to follow.
“Let’s go get them! We’ll rout them out – once and for all!”
Just then, Langston Hodge rode up with a small entourage following, extending his arm, signaling for the crowd to halt, yelling, “Stop! Stop right there!”
The group obeyed, paused, and fell quiet, listening to the Mayor, as he continued, “Men, this has gone far enough! There will be no more antagonization, no more attacks, and no more retaliation! We are better people than this. Let them go and we’ll settle matters in a civilized manner!”
“Alright Mayor, we’ll stand down. But we must have your assurance Francis Vaines and his gang will do the same!”
“I’ll speak with them right away, Mr. Trane! Thank you so much for your cooperation! And, thank all you good folks, too!”
“Wait up, there Mayor, should be at least one of us go with you.”
“Mr. Billings, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. Your presence could escalate things rather than calm them down. Please, let me handle it. It’s in all our best interests for me to negotiate an equitable peace.”
“Fine, then. Mr. Hodge. Have it your way. But, I’m not going to allow my future to be bargained away.”
“Atticus, the Mayor is right. Let him try to broker a deal. Maybe we can put this fighting behind us.”
“All right, Jebediah, all right. Still, I cannot simply leave everything up to someone else,” Atticus reluctantly agreed, then walked away, snidely saying, “Good luck, Mayor, you’ll need it.”
Langston sheepishly shrugged, nodded his head, and led his entourage away as Jebediah said departing, “Keep the good Mayor in your prayers, my friends. I know I will.”
Two days later, Hodge and a few members of his entourage met with Francis and his senior officers.
“So, you want us to disobey direct orders from England, Mayor?”
“I expect you would do what is best for this community, your community, Mr. Vaines. Remember, we are talking about our collective home here!”
“Yes, that’s true. But, you seem to forget, this is a colony…a colony of the Crown.”
“Albeit. Still, for the sake of peace, I implore you, good Sir.”
“Fine. So long as the rebels abide by the agreement.”
“Of course, Colonel Vaines, of course. I’ll deliver the news straight away.”
As the Mayor walked out of the meeting, Francis’ righthand man warned, “Colonel, my Lord, forgive me for saying so, but this is a big mistake.”
“It’s not a mistake, Captain, it’s strategic. We have leverage.”
“We do, my Lord?”
“Yes, we do. Now, tell me, Captain, how much do you think the Billings’ estate is worth?
“Quite a bit, my Lord, quite a bit.”
“I see. What would he be prepared to do to get it back?”
It was a shrewd move. Now, with the irregulars no longer in active pursuit, the Colonel had ample time to plan. He could come up with an entirely new tactic, one that would – in his estimation – be far more effective than attempting to grab individual targets. Instead, he could capture one critical asset of his enemy – a lesson learned from previous victories in the war by the Royal Army.
This strategy had also been used countless times before by conquering forces. Rather than attacking numerous points one by one, hitting and taking a large, key resource wreaked havoc on the opposition in several effective ways. Plus, in concert with this strategy, Vaines’ plan employed another – divide and conquer.
“Well, Mr. Billings, haven’t seen you in a few days – what brings you to town hall?”
“I have an urgent matter to discuss, Mayor Hodge.”
“Please…”
“I have it on good authority the Royalist intend to seize the grain depot at Musgrove Mill.”
“But, they agreed…”
“Only to buy time…gives them the element of surprise.”
“Hmm. I see. But, why bring this to me? Why didn’t you go right to Mr. Trane?”
“I figured this takes a measured approach. If the Provincials take the gristmill at Musgrove, there will be no resistance left.”
“Yes. It’s the epicenter of the local food supply. So, occupying it would give the Tories almost complete control of the entire community.”
“And the residents will hold you accountable, Mayor. They’ll definitely want to know how it happened and why you didn’t stop it.”
The reality hit Langston instantaneously – Atticus was right. Now that he had demanded the Patriots stand down and ostensibly negotiated peace with the Loyalists, if the Provincials did take over the grinder and break the agreement, he would look like an ineffective, weak bureaucrat, and worse yet, gullible.
Although the Mayor sensed a catch, he couldn’t take the chance of not passing the news on to Jebediah. At the very least, they could mull over the possibilities and come up with some actionable contingencies. Regardless, he really had no choice but to go to Jebediah immediately.
“That’s what Mr. Billings, said, Jebediah, Vaines means to take the feed center at Musgrove Mill.”
“It’s certainly useful information, Mayor. But, why did he go to you instead of directly to me?”
“He said it required ‘…a measured approach.’ Then, right after he left, I asked myself that very same question. And, I could only come to one conclusion, Mr. Billings…”
“Atticus wanted to be sure you’d tip us off, and therefore, set you squarely on our side.”
“That means only one thing, Jebediah.”
“Yes, it means he had an ulterior motive. It means we’re walking into a trap.”
“It certainly seems that way.”
Trane and Hodge read the situation well. Royalist Colonel Francis Vaines made good on his threat. Along with Alexander Innes – a British Colonel and Inspector General of Provincial Forces – they seized the local grain supply and trading house, taking control of the depot. Plus, a ford on the Enoree River, which served as a critical pass for the local shipping route where other vital supplies were routinely transported across.
Such a strategic occupation would certainly help the British take the South and cut off supplies to the Patriots in the North. If other Tory units followed suit in other parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, the rebels’ uprising would soon deplete their ammunition, food, clothing, and the rest of their critical provisions. The war for independence would then abruptly end. The British Southern Strategy would prevail and an entire sovereign nation would never be.
Root, Hog, or Die!
The situation couldn’t be more dire and demoralizing. England now controlled Savannah, the capital of Georgia, Charles Town, South Carolina, and the milling depot at Musgrove Mill. What’s more, Redcoat forces were pushing deeper and deeper into Virginia, with the absolute intention of taking even more key colonial assets.
Now, Lieutenant General, Lord Charles Cornwallis, was on the march again, having just crushed Continental Major General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden. The esteemed British officer delivered a devastating and humiliating blow, surprisingly securing an implausible but undeniably decisive victory with only 2,000 Royal regulars and Loyalists, soundly beating a far-superiorly manned 4,000 patriot force.
The battle marked one of the worst American defeats in the entire war. The stunning, unbelievable success further strengthened the English hold on South Carolina and opened the way for an invasion well into North Carolina.
With Vaines and Innes having complete control over the meal house, the entire town was at their mercy. These grain depots ground wheat into flour and corn into meal, which were essential ingredients for bread and cereal. What’s more, gristmills were important centers of local commerce. Because the cost of shipment over roads often exceeded the cost of the goods transported, grinding houses regularly served as the nucleus of a town.
Now, the community had to rely on the good graces of the Royalists. And, even those loyal or sympathetic to the Crown were not above suspicion – no one could be blindly trusted. In very little time, any previously stored provisions would run out and the townspeople would need new supplies from the grain depot. Supplies the Tories would not provide, aiming to starve their opposition.
The Patriots could wait no longer. They had to run out the Loyalists, free the grist center, and free the river ford. And, with the Continental regular forces totally preoccupied elsewhere, there was no choice but to go on the offensive.
“Lionel, how many Provincials at Musgrove?”
“Well, Willey and I figure about two hundred total, Jebediah.”
“We have fewer than forty in our ranks, so we’re already outmatched.”
“That’s true, but it’s been true many times before, Atticus.”
“What about your wife’s cousin, Jebediah – the Continental officer?”
“I just got another letter. His unit is engaged with the Redcoats – they’re putting up a fierce fight.”
“While that may have been the case in the past, this is totally different…isn’t it Jebediah?”
“Most certainly. We’ve never tried this kind of operation, Lionel.”
“If we are to free the milling station, we’ll need a whole lot more to take on that many Tories.”
“Jebediah! Jebediah! There’s a huge posse coming!”
“What?! How big?”
“At least a hundred – maybe more!”
Jebediah, Atticus, Lionel, and Willey quickly leaped to their feet in shock, grabbed their rifles, and ordered everyone to hide and stay quiet. The men readily obeyed, concealing themselves from view as the large horse-mounted band menacingly approached.
When the posse arrived, a rugged-looking man, leading the group, dismounted and began scanning the area. As his party followed, he motioned to his men, silently commanding them to also dismount.
“Lionel,” Jebediah whispered.
“Yes?” He softly replied.
“Recognize any of them?”
“No.”
“How about you, Willey?”
“Don’t know a one.”
The Patriots quietly readied their weapons, aiming at the men standing in front of the others, careful not to make a single sound.
“When I give the word, half of us will fire a shot, then run for safety in the woods. Meanwhile, the other half will fire as we retreat, and as they do, we’ll reload and fire again to give them cover. Go ahead and pass the word to wait for my signal.”
Once the message was passed around, the men nodded in agreement and slowly cocked their guns. They sweated profusely from the southern August sun, trying to keep their grip tight with slippery palms. Watching Jebediah gradually begin to raise his hand, they ever so gently started to pull their triggers.
Suddenly, a familiar voice yelled, “Mr. Trane! Mr. Trane are you there?!”
“Mayor Hodge?” Jebediah questioned under his breath, then looked past the men out front. There, he could see the Mayor standing near the rear and yelled out, “Langston?!”
“Jebediah, is that you?!” The Mayor shouted back, as he slowly walked up.
The men, relieved, uncocked their rifles, and cheerfully stood, eagerly rushing to surround the Mayor.
“Mr. Trane, please, allow me to introduce you to Colonel Elijah Clarke of the Georgia Militia Regiment, Captain Shadrach Inman, his righthand man, Colonel James Williams of South Carolina, and Colonel Isaac Shelby and his merry band of Over Mountain Men!”
“Pleased to meet you, gentlemen! Very pleased to meet you all!”
“The pleasure is all ours, we can assure you, Mr. Trane!”
“Call me Jebediah, good Sirs!”
“All right, as you wish.”
“How many in your ranks?”
“Just over one hundred sixty men, Jebediah!”
“Well, that brings up our total to two hundred…now we’re evenly matched!”
“That appears to be the case, Atticus…that appears to be the case.”
“Now that we’re at parity with the Provincials, we can free the grain mill and open the river ford!”
“Probably, Mr. Billings, probably.”
“I’ll get the men ready while you talk over the details with the officers.”
With a combined force of two hundred, including guerillas, militia, and mountain men, the colonists had a much better chance of driving the Loyalists away from the mill at Musgrove, thereby giving the townspeople unfettered access to the crucial supply of ingredients for bread and cereal, plus reopen the free trade depot, and moreover, unrestricted passage through the Enoree River ford. Though, it still wouldn’t be an easy task – attempting to take a fortified position posed a tremendous risk.
After speaking at length, Jebediah and the officers formulated a plan. They would send out scouts to assess the situation and depending on the circumstances, encircle the mill, then unleash a carefully coordinated surprise attack from different directions, causing chaos and confusion among the unsuspecting Tories.
With a strategy in place, Jebediah, his men, the officers, and their forces all set out just before the break of dawn for Musgrove Mill, with the scouts going out well in advance. The remaining collective then began their journey, with each detachment keeping sight of one another while marching under warm, sunny blue skies.
As mid-morning approached, the temperature had risen substantially. The sultry August air slowed their pace, and they had to stop frequently to rest and rehydrate. The heat and excursion quickly took its toll on the men and their horses, with the equines working up slippery lathers.
By midday, the intensity of the sun’s rays and the muggy air reached a new, unbearable high, but they pressed on, determined to retake the milling house by afternoon. Suddenly, their scouts hastily returned in a panic, with two wounded, warning a Royalist patrol had spotted them and attacked, forcing them to retreat.
“Jebediah! Jebediah!”
“Yes, Mr. Billings?”
“It’s our scouts, they’ve returned with two badly injured!”
“What did you see? Did you see the Provincial forces? How many were there? Two hundred or less? Small enough for us to be fairly matched?”
“Atticus, there’s no time for that now. We must get these men care as soon as possible!”
“There’s a farm up ahead, Jebediah. We passed by it earlier, before the Tories even knew about our reconnaissance.”
“Then, we’ll make our way to the farm and hope the Provincials aren’t waiting. Come on men, let’s go!”
Jedediah and the officers rode ahead, approaching the estate first, only to hear a shot ring out. They immediately dismounted and took cover behind a nearby crumbling stone bluff. Just as they started to rise to ascertain who fired, another shot boomed, quickly followed by a menacing command.
“If’en ya’ show your faces again, the next one won’t be no warnin’ shot!”
“Sir! We’re sorry to alarm you, but we’re in need of assistance!” Jebediah pleaded. “We’re low on water and two of our men need care right away!”
“I ain’t got nothin’ for no traitors!”
“Sir! We’re Patriots! We came to free the mill!”
“Free the depot at Musgrove?
“Yes, indeed, Sir!”
“Doesn’t look like you got the numbers!”
“Our troops are following, they’ll be here shortly. But right now, two of our men immediate attention!”
“Okay…okay…bring them right away!”
Jebediah and the officers rushed the wounded men to the farmhouse, profusely offering their sincere thanks, offering to provide protection, should the Provincials show up.
“We really appreciate your help, Ma’am.”
“Don’t fret it, your scouts ought to be fine, Mister…”
“Oh, forgive me for being rude. I’m Jebediah Trane. And these gentlemen here are Colonels Elijah Clarke, Isaac Shelby, James Williams, and Captain Shadrach Inman.”
“Well, I’m certainly grateful for your offer of protection, but I’m afraid you’re gonna need all the men you can get to take back the milling house and free up the river ford.”
“Yes, we understand the Tories have two hundred troops stationed at Musgrove. But, we’ve got just as many…so it will be a relatively fair fight.”
“I’m afraid you’re misinformed, Mr. Trane.”
“What do you mean? Our intelligence states…”
“Apparently, you’re information is a bit out-of-date. The British have already sent in reinforcements – they’ve got as many as five hundred partisans ready to hold the mill for England – maybe more!”
At that moment, Jedediah whispered to Mayor Hodge, “See if you can locate Mr. Billings, and right away.”
“Of course, Mr. Trane, immediately.”
Jedediah then asked the farmer, “Tell me, are you sure about their troop strength?”
“Yes. Yes I am, Mr. Trane.”
“Jedediah, that’s obviously twice as many!”
“Yes, and now that they’ve spotted and engaged our scouts, they undoubtedly know we’re here, Colonel Clarke.”
“And that means they’ll be after us, Jebediah.”
“Almost certainly, Captain Inman. We probably don’t have much time. With such an advantage the Provincials could easily crush us all.”
“What about splitting up our men? We could slip out in different directions, regroup, recruit, and come back with a stronger force?”
“A stronger force – minus one?” Hodge whispered.
“I take it Atticus is nowhere to be found, Langston?” Jebediah asked softly.
“He’s gone.”
Jebediah shook his head in disgust, sighed, and then turned his attention back to the conversation.
“Theoretically, I’d otherwise agree, Colonel Shelby. Splitting up and slipping out in different directions to regroup would be a possible strategy. But that will take time – time we don’t have. Every day the Royalists hold the mill is another day the people of the town will be deprived of common necessities. Plus, we’ll run out of provisions.”
“Then, what else can we do, Jebediah?”
“That’s a good question, Colonel Williams.”
“Seems to me we’re out of options!”
“We certainly seem to be out of good options, I grant you that. But we’re not totally out of every option,” Jebediah said with a mischievous smile. “It occurs to me we do have a choice and it’s up to us to make that choice!”
“We’re with you, Jebediah!”
“Well then, my friends…it’s agreed. Root! Hog! Or die!”
With the Patriots’ position now compromised and unable to flee, the men understood they must dig in and fight, despite being so vastly outnumbered by more than two to one.
Acting quickly, with the rest of the troops arriving, the freedom fighters snuck up to the top of a ridge overlooking Musgrove Mill and hurriedly erected a semicircular breastwork of brush and fallen timber earthwork that spanned approximately three hundred yards long.
Seeing the bulwark go up so rapidly, the Provincials readied for an all-out assault to breach the rampart. Tories rushed to load their muskets and unleash a fierce, overwhelming strike on the rebel stronghold.
But, in the best tradition of tried and true guerrilla tactics, Jebediah and the officers immediately dispatched with a small band of about twenty men under the command of Captain Shadrach Inman. The detachment deftly, covertly crossed the Enoree River, near the ford, taking the enemy by surprise.
Angrily, the English partisans returned fire and began to advance toward the invaders. Cleverly, the Patriots feigned confusion and hastily retreated back toward a prepared ambush spot. When the Loyalists followed in an impetuous chase, they stumbled right into the guerrilla trap. Surprised, the Tories chaotically fired but engaged far too early.
After the tumultuous and ineffective volley, the Patriots, who had held their fire, carefully took aim and simultaneously pulled their triggers, just as the Royalists stepped within killing range.
Many of the Provincials fell dead on the spot, but the survivors, well-disciplined and devoted to the Crown, defiantly charged with bayonets, attempting to break through the Patriot’s right flank.
Jebediah and his men, now vulnerable because they had fired and weren’t equipped with bayonets or swords, started to fall back. At that very moment, Isaac Shelby and Langston Hodge, strategically concealed in a nearby position, ordered their accompanying over-mountain men to rush to Jebediah’s aid. Loudly chanting a single battle cry and mimicking Indian rallying calls, the backwoodsmen charged straight at the Tories, unleashing a fierce counterattack.
The Loyalists rank and file quickly wavered as a substantial number of their officers fell right before their eyes. The uninjured and wounded soldiers hastily broke from any remaining formation, and clumsily fled Musgrove Mill, some dropping lifeless along their hasty retreat.
In less than an hour, the entire battle was over. The Provincials had abandoned the gristmill and the river ford. Royal Colonel Alexander Innes was among those wounded and Patriot Captain Shadrach Inman was killed. Jebediah and the other freedom fighter officers claimed victory, while Tory Colonel Francis Vaines was once again humiliated in utter defeat.
It was a remarkable victory, given the incredible circumstances. The Tories were equipped with state-of-the-art muskets, which were made to fire en masse, producing two to three volleys in under a minute. The British weapons were not accurate but in such large numbers, proved deadly, and were furnished with bayonets.
Meanwhile, the mountain men and other colonists carried rifles, which were far more accurate but could only be fired as fast as one shot per minute. And, these long arms were not equipped with bayonets.
As Jebediah and Mayor Hodge surveyed the area, watching the last of the Loyalists run off into the distance, they shook hands and patted each other on the back.
“I just wanted to say thank you, Mayor – you really came through for us.”
“I appreciate it, Mr. Trane.”
“You’re more than welcome! But, I do have to ask why?”
“Why what, Jebediah?”
“Well, you could have let us walk into the Provincial’s trap – you didn’t have to tell me about Mr. Billings duplicity.”
“That’s true. But I could not do that in good conscience.”
“Yes, but you didn’t have to fight for us.”
“Atticus should have been loyal to the cause of liberty, to his fellow Patriots – there is great honor, great character than that.”
“I wholeheartedly agree – there is.”
“Besides, it makes me wonder.”
“Wonder what?”
“Who he’ll turn on next? And when?”
From Hubris to Humiliation
The victory at Musgrove Mill in August of 1780 was among the most unlikely outcomes of the entire war for independence. It would soon be followed in early October at Kings Mountain, North Carolina, when Patriot militia from Virginia, the Carolinas, and present-day Tennessee surrounded at subsequently defeated a force of loyalists under Major Patrick Ferguson.
Then, in on January 17th, 1781, a combined force of just over 1,000 Continental soldiers and patriot militia under General Daniel Morgan delivered another defeat to a British force of nearly 1,200 at Cowpens, South Carolina. The victory helped to convince the colonists the Crown’s Southern Strategy could be countered.
However, less than two months later, on March 15th, 1781, England would strike back at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. Although a very costly victory, it helped to demonstrate the British army was indeed susceptible to hit-and-run tactics and set-piece battles.
Nearly seventy days later, Continental General Nathanael Greene would lead 1,500 men to attack the Royal South Carolina post of Ninety Six, on May 22nd, which stationed 550 British regulars. The seige lasted twenty-eight days, and though the Redcoats inside did manage to survive the almost month long assault, it underlined the fact that England had too few troops to hold the southern hinterlands.
During the attempted siege, the Americans retook Augusta, Georgia, which previously fell to the British January 1779, and even though England won the Battle of Green Spring, it didn’t fortell much, given a huge force of 7,000 Redcoats defeated just 900 Continentals.
On September 5th, 1781, the Americans earned another victory at the Battle of the Capes on Chesapeake Bay. Sensing the war had turned completely out of control, British troops took on Continentals and gained a costly victory, sacrificing 800+ casualties, compared to 579 Patriots.
In a last-ditch effort to take control of the South, General Charles Lord Cornwallis’ marches a massive British force, occupying Yorktown, Virgina, intending to refit and resupply his 9,000+ army. While awaiting supplies and reinforcement from the Royal Navy, George Washington and French Lieutenant General Comte de Rochambeau took their combined force of nearly 8,000 soldiers to join up with approximately 12,000 colonial militia and French regulars.
Altogether, almost 29,000 enemy troops clashed as the French Navy arrived and formed a blockade in Chesapeake Bay on October 9th. Two days later, on the 11th, the French and Americans began an all out bombardment of the British positions. Then, eight days thereafter, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered October 19, 1781.
The British Southern strategy failed due to several reasons. England faced a number of geographical challenges, struggling to adapt their logistics to keep supply lines from being stretched to thin and to sustain timely communications and coordinations.
The Royal forces also experienced a shortage of troops while attempting to divide their troops between the North and the South. This made it all the more difficult, given the Patriots utilizing hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and unconventional warfare methods, taking advantage of the dense forests and swamps in the region, making it difficult for the British to engage in traditional large-scale battles.
Additionally, the local population largely supported the Patriots, providing them with intelligence, supplies, and shelter. This popular support bolstered the Patriots’ efforts and hindered the British Southern strategy.
Royalists never mobilized in the large numbers anticipated and many Loyalists were hesitant to actively engage in the conflict. The inability to galvanize a significant irregular Tory force weakened the British position and limited their ability to control the territory effectively.
The British likewise made strategic errors that further undermined their Southern strategy. General Cornwallis’s decision to pursue an aggressive campaign in the Carolinas, rather than consolidating his forces, exposed his troops to attrition and made them vulnerable to Patriot attacks. The British also relied heavily on conventional warfare tactics, which were less effective in the Southern theater.
Moreover, the entrance of France into the war as an ally of the Patriots shifted the balance of power. The French provided military support, including troops, naval superiority, and financial aid, which significantly bolstered the Patriots’ capabilities. The Continental Army, under the leadership of generals like Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan, regrouped and implemented successful strategies, gradually wearing down British forces in the southern colonies.
In the end, the British Southern Strategy fell well short, and England was forced to surrender at Yorktown in 1781. The American Revolution was a success, and the United States of America was born.
Between 25,000 and 70,000 American Patriots died during active military service during the War of Independence. Of these, approximately 6,800 were killed in battle, while at least 17,000 died from disease. Meanwhile, the British lost between 24,000 and 25,000 soldiers during the seven year uprising.
At the Battle of Musgrove Mill, just 200 American Patriots, fewer than half of the 500 Loyalists, fought bravely and won against overwhelming odds, suffering only 16 casualties, but inflicted 133 on the Royalists. Although a relatively minor skirmish, it nevertheless set a path forward to an ultimate victory in the Revolutionary War.
Despite the fact the British won 13 of the 25 major battles fought in the American Revolution and the Americans only won 12, Parliament could not hold onto its faraway colonies – even with the help of its many Loyalists.
After the war, between 80,000 and 100,000 Tories, then regarded as traitors, fled the colonies for Britain, the British West Indies, or the Province of Quebec (modern-day Canada), never to return. Among them, the unquestionably duplicit, corruptly motivated to switch sides by careless greed and pride.
Folklore has it that many of the Patriots who went into combat at Musgrove Mill chanting the battle cry, “Root, hog, or die!”
