Battle of Coosawhatchie
Coosawhatchie
Jasper County, South Carolina
Commanders: Colonels William Moultrie, John
Laurens; Gen. Augustine Prevost
Casualties: 3 Americans killed, 8 wounded
"Despite the defeat at Port Royal Island, General
Prevost was determined to make a second
attempt to capture Charleston. Instead of a
small detachment of 150 men, this time he
crossed the Savannah River with 2,400 British
regulars, and once again, William Moultrie
was outnumbered 2 to 1. He determined to
make a stand on a slight ridge at the Tullifinny
River, about 2 miles east of the Coosawhatchie
River, where he left about 200 men to guard the
crossing and warn him of the Redcoats arrival.
As the enemy drew near, Moultrie was about to
send an aide to pull these troops back to the main
force when Col. John Laurens offered to lead
them back. Moultrie had so much confidence in
the officer that he sent along 250 men to help
cover the flanks, In direct disobedience of orders
Laurens crossed the river and formed the men in
line for battle. He failed to take the high ground
and his men suffered greatly from well-placed
enemy fire. Laurens himself was wounded, and
his second in command fell back to the main
force at the Tullifinny, where Moultrie was
compelled to retreat towards Charleston."
Excerpt from South Carolina's Revolutionary War Battlefields
A Tour Guide
Marker is at the intersection of W Frontage Rd ( SC 462 ), on the right on W Frontage Rd ( SC 462 ).
Courtesy hmdb.org
