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| The Hanging Rock near Heath Springs, South Carolina, site of a major Patriot victory in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. |
The Battle of Hanging Rock
Patriot Victory In Lancaster County
Sunday, August 6, 1780
By: C.W. Roden
Sunday, August 6, 1780
By: C.W. Roden
(Part 8 of a 15 part series)
On Saturday, August 5, 1780 following his aborted attempt to capture the British outpost at Rocky Mount, General Thomas Sumter and his backcountry partisans again joined up with Major William Richard Davie and his Whig troops at Land's Ford (Landsford) on the Catawba River to discuss strategy.
Still smarting from his repulse at Rocky Mount, Sumter was determined to strike at one of the British outposts. Both he and Davie weighed the strengths and weaknesses of each. Although the garrison at Rocky Mount was smaller, its defenses were formidable. There were more British and Loyalists at Hanging Rock, but there were largely camped in an open field.
Because of the initial success that Davie's men had days before, it was decided that the combined Patriot force of just over 600 would attack the British and Loyalists at Hanging Rock.
On the evening of August 5th, the force set out under the moonlight across the Catawba River towards Hanging Rock.
The name Hanging Rock is somewhat misleading. The large boulder doesn't hang, it is firmly planted and is more accurately described as an overhang formed as though a triangular slice had been taken out of the bottom leaving a peaked roof above. The opening is large enough to shelter over 50 men from the elements.
More than 1,400 British troops, including the 500 man Prince of Wales American Volunteer Regiment, a Loyalist unit of the British Army, local Loyalist militia, and some dragoons from the British Legion were stationed there. These forces were under the overall command of Provincial Major John Carden. Colonel Thomas Brown's regiment was also there -- both camped at the center of the line, in and around some houses. The Prince of Wales' American Regiment secured the right side. The left side, separated from the center by some trees, was held by North Carolina Loyalists. Part of this unit had been cut to pieces by Davie's forces days before. The entire front of the camp was covered by an excellent natural defense -- a deep ravine and creek.
On Saturday, August 5, 1780 following his aborted attempt to capture the British outpost at Rocky Mount, General Thomas Sumter and his backcountry partisans again joined up with Major William Richard Davie and his Whig troops at Land's Ford (Landsford) on the Catawba River to discuss strategy.
Still smarting from his repulse at Rocky Mount, Sumter was determined to strike at one of the British outposts. Both he and Davie weighed the strengths and weaknesses of each. Although the garrison at Rocky Mount was smaller, its defenses were formidable. There were more British and Loyalists at Hanging Rock, but there were largely camped in an open field.
Because of the initial success that Davie's men had days before, it was decided that the combined Patriot force of just over 600 would attack the British and Loyalists at Hanging Rock.
On the evening of August 5th, the force set out under the moonlight across the Catawba River towards Hanging Rock.
The name Hanging Rock is somewhat misleading. The large boulder doesn't hang, it is firmly planted and is more accurately described as an overhang formed as though a triangular slice had been taken out of the bottom leaving a peaked roof above. The opening is large enough to shelter over 50 men from the elements.
More than 1,400 British troops, including the 500 man Prince of Wales American Volunteer Regiment, a Loyalist unit of the British Army, local Loyalist militia, and some dragoons from the British Legion were stationed there. These forces were under the overall command of Provincial Major John Carden. Colonel Thomas Brown's regiment was also there -- both camped at the center of the line, in and around some houses. The Prince of Wales' American Regiment secured the right side. The left side, separated from the center by some trees, was held by North Carolina Loyalists. Part of this unit had been cut to pieces by Davie's forces days before. The entire front of the camp was covered by an excellent natural defense -- a deep ravine and creek.
The Battle
Sumter halted his men around midnight on August 5th within two miles of the enemy camp and began marching his men at daylight the next morning. Using the information that Davie had on the layout of the British defenses, he decided on a plan to assault the camp by dividing his command into three columns, each planning to attack the corresponding enemy unit on the left, center, and right. Davie disagreed with the plan, though Sumter's will prevailed.
The attackers had to negotiate Hanging Rock Creek and the steep ravine in order to reach the camp. It could have proven a disaster, however in avoiding enemy pickets, the guides became confused and the entire command struck the Loyalists on the left side of the camp at the weakest sector of the British defenses early in the morning.
Richard Winn's and Davie's men completely routed Loyalist militia Colonel Samuel Bryan's troops. Captain McCulloch's company of the British Legion, after presenting a volley, was also routed by Sumter's riflemen. These immediately broke and ran to the center, hotly pursued by Patriots. The Legion infantry and some of Col. Brown's men tried to make a stand, but they were over-run and soon joined the fleeing Loyalists.
Other companies of Col. Brown's regiment took advantage of the trees between the center and the Loyalist camp and worked around to the flank of the Patriots and offered deadly fire. The Patriot riflemen concentrated on officers and within minutes none were left to give any orders. By this time, many of the Provincials had also fallen and the remainder, being offered quarter, surrendered.
The Prince of Wales Regiment also came under heavy fire and suffered very severe losses. Part of the Prince of Wales Regiment then came up, and having cleverly deployed themselves in some woods, checked the rebel assault with a surprise crossfire. This allowed the Provincials on the right to form a square in the center of the cleared ground, and to further protect themselves with a two three-pound field pieces which had been left by some of Rugeley's Camden militia.
In the heat of the battle, Major Carden lost his nerve and surrendered his command to one of his junior officers. This was a major turning point for the Americans. At one point, Captain Rousselet of the British Legion Infantry led a bayonet charge that forced many of Sumter's men back. The battle raged for just over three hours without pause, causing many men on both sides to faint from the heat and thirst.
Lack of ammunition made it impossible for Sumter to completely knock out the British. His men were out of range and refused to cross into the line of fire from the cannons. A group of Sumter's Patriots looted the Loyalist camp and came across a storage of rum. Some became so intoxicated they could not be brought back into the battle, to the mortification of Major Davie.
Sumter then decided to withdraw, having received Carden's surrender. He gave orders to look the camps of anything needed, take the paroles of the officers, and then prepare the litters for the wounded. Prisoners were also gathered up.
Under the watchful eyes of the squared Provincials, Sumter's men began a leisurely retreat with their captured prisoners and booty back towards the Catawba River.
At the end, the British Provincials and Loyalists lost an estimated 192 men killed and wounded with 73 taken prisoner. Sumter and Davie's Patriot forces lost around 40 men killed and 41 wounded.
Aftermath
The Battle of Hanging Rock is seen as a victory by the upcountry Patriots, though an indecisive victory because Sumter, Davie and their men withdrew before destroying the entire Loyalist force.
Historian Lyman C. Draper wrote, "Cornwallis was heard to say that no battle fell heavier on the British, condsidering the numbers engaged, the battle of Bunker Hill excepted."
The Prince of Wales' American Regiment suffered heavy casualties and was no longer considered an effective
fighting force, having been virtually wiped out. In addition, Major Carden was disgraced by resigning his command in the heat of battle. The British
Legion had sixty-two of their men killed and wounded. Many of
the Loyalists militia simply fled from the field.
The British prisoners and wounded were taken to Charlotte
to keep them out of striking distance of the British Regulars.
Major Davie later wrote that his corps, "suffered much while tying their horses under a heavy fire from the Tories." He also vowed he would never serve under the arrogant Thomas Sumter again.
One tragic loss in the battle stands out among others. Major John McClure, the man who led the first act of defiance against the British occupation of the South Carolina upcountry at Alexander's Old Field two months before, was mortally wounded in the battle at Hanging Rock. He was taken to Charlotte, where he died two weeks later and buried in an unknown grave.
Soon General Sumter and his men would be back in the saddle again, this time offering their assistance to the new Southern Continental Army commanded by General Horatio Gates as they marched from North Carolina towards the British post at Camden, South Carolina in their ill-fated campaign to liberate South Carolina which we will be covered in greater detail in the next chapter of this series.
Sumter halted his men around midnight on August 5th within two miles of the enemy camp and began marching his men at daylight the next morning. Using the information that Davie had on the layout of the British defenses, he decided on a plan to assault the camp by dividing his command into three columns, each planning to attack the corresponding enemy unit on the left, center, and right. Davie disagreed with the plan, though Sumter's will prevailed.
The attackers had to negotiate Hanging Rock Creek and the steep ravine in order to reach the camp. It could have proven a disaster, however in avoiding enemy pickets, the guides became confused and the entire command struck the Loyalists on the left side of the camp at the weakest sector of the British defenses early in the morning.
Richard Winn's and Davie's men completely routed Loyalist militia Colonel Samuel Bryan's troops. Captain McCulloch's company of the British Legion, after presenting a volley, was also routed by Sumter's riflemen. These immediately broke and ran to the center, hotly pursued by Patriots. The Legion infantry and some of Col. Brown's men tried to make a stand, but they were over-run and soon joined the fleeing Loyalists.
Other companies of Col. Brown's regiment took advantage of the trees between the center and the Loyalist camp and worked around to the flank of the Patriots and offered deadly fire. The Patriot riflemen concentrated on officers and within minutes none were left to give any orders. By this time, many of the Provincials had also fallen and the remainder, being offered quarter, surrendered.
The Prince of Wales Regiment also came under heavy fire and suffered very severe losses. Part of the Prince of Wales Regiment then came up, and having cleverly deployed themselves in some woods, checked the rebel assault with a surprise crossfire. This allowed the Provincials on the right to form a square in the center of the cleared ground, and to further protect themselves with a two three-pound field pieces which had been left by some of Rugeley's Camden militia.
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| The Battle of Hanging Rock. Sunday, August 6, 1780. |
In the heat of the battle, Major Carden lost his nerve and surrendered his command to one of his junior officers. This was a major turning point for the Americans. At one point, Captain Rousselet of the British Legion Infantry led a bayonet charge that forced many of Sumter's men back. The battle raged for just over three hours without pause, causing many men on both sides to faint from the heat and thirst.
Lack of ammunition made it impossible for Sumter to completely knock out the British. His men were out of range and refused to cross into the line of fire from the cannons. A group of Sumter's Patriots looted the Loyalist camp and came across a storage of rum. Some became so intoxicated they could not be brought back into the battle, to the mortification of Major Davie.
Sumter then decided to withdraw, having received Carden's surrender. He gave orders to look the camps of anything needed, take the paroles of the officers, and then prepare the litters for the wounded. Prisoners were also gathered up.
Under the watchful eyes of the squared Provincials, Sumter's men began a leisurely retreat with their captured prisoners and booty back towards the Catawba River.
At the end, the British Provincials and Loyalists lost an estimated 192 men killed and wounded with 73 taken prisoner. Sumter and Davie's Patriot forces lost around 40 men killed and 41 wounded.
Aftermath
The Battle of Hanging Rock is seen as a victory by the upcountry Patriots, though an indecisive victory because Sumter, Davie and their men withdrew before destroying the entire Loyalist force.
Historian Lyman C. Draper wrote, "Cornwallis was heard to say that no battle fell heavier on the British, condsidering the numbers engaged, the battle of Bunker Hill excepted."
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| Marker for the Battle of Hanging Rock at the site of the battle near Heath Springs, SC. |
Major Davie later wrote that his corps, "suffered much while tying their horses under a heavy fire from the Tories." He also vowed he would never serve under the arrogant Thomas Sumter again.
One tragic loss in the battle stands out among others. Major John McClure, the man who led the first act of defiance against the British occupation of the South Carolina upcountry at Alexander's Old Field two months before, was mortally wounded in the battle at Hanging Rock. He was taken to Charlotte, where he died two weeks later and buried in an unknown grave.
Soon General Sumter and his men would be back in the saddle again, this time offering their assistance to the new Southern Continental Army commanded by General Horatio Gates as they marched from North Carolina towards the British post at Camden, South Carolina in their ill-fated campaign to liberate South Carolina which we will be covered in greater detail in the next chapter of this series.
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| SC highway marker to the Battle of Hanging Rock on August 1/6, 1780. The marker is located on the intersection of SC Hwy 15 and US Hwy 521 in the town of Heath Springs in Lancaster County. |
For
more information about the Battle of Rocky Mount and its significance
to American history please consult the following sources that were used
to help
with this blog post:
Partisans & Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned The Tide of the American Revolution by Walter Edgar (2001) ISBN 0-308-97760-5
South Carolina's Revolutionary War Battlefields: A Tour Guide by R.L. Barbour (2002) ISBN 1-58980-008-7
South Carolina's Revolutionary War Battlefields: A Tour Guide by R.L. Barbour (2002) ISBN 1-58980-008-7
Thank you for the detailed information! I had a relative who fought during the Battle of Rocky Mount and the Battle of Hanging Rock.
ReplyDeleteThe Rebels left the field of battle; therefore, they lost.
ReplyDelete