Camden in the American Revolution

On May 12, 1780, the Continental Army in Charleston (Charles Town) surrendered to the British Army.  In the largest American surrender of the War, the British took more than 5,000 Continental soldiers prisoner.  From the security of Charleston, the British Army advanced into the South Carolina interior.  In August, 1780, Camden was the next major battle between the British and American Armies.  At the battle's end, the Continental Army in the South was shattered.

Within one year, American General Nathanael Greene marched his Continentals back into South Carolina.  In April 1781, the Americans and the British met once more in Camden at the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.  Although the American army was forced to retreat once again, they remained a cohesive fighting force.  After the battle, and knowing that Greene's army would return at any time, the British commander, Francis Lord Rawdon, ordered the evacuation of Camden and retreated back to Charleston.  This was the beginning of the British withdrawal from South Carolina.

This exhibit displays artifacts taken from the sites of the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.  Visitors interested in the battles are encouraged to visit both of the battlefields and Historic Camden.

 

 

 

Francis Lord Rawdon, British Commander of occupied Camden