Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month June 1781
By Compatriot Andrew Andy Stough
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR and was slightly edited by the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the CSSAR
SOUTH CAROLINA - June 1781 began with American General Nathanael Greene still facing Lt. Colonel John Cruger and his five hundred Tory troops at Ninety-Six near today’s Greenwood, South Carolina. American General Thomas Sumter was able to overrun Orangeburg which on today's map is northwest of Charleston and 2/3 of the way to Fort Granby (today’s Columbia). Generals Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and Andrew Pickens and Colonel Elijah Clarke of the Georgia militia were even more successful as Augusta surrendered on June 4th.
On June 3rd, Lord Rawdon at Orangeburg learned that a convoy with reinforcements from Cork had arrived in Charleston. Now this statement may leave you as puzzled as it did me. If Sumter had taken Orangeburg how could Rawdon now be there? A little more research shows that I overlooked the statement that Sumter did indeed take Orangeburg but in true guerilla practice had not held it. There is a gap here; I presume that in his investiture of Orangeburg that he took any prisoners, all supplies and military stores but unlike Rawdon, did not leave a departed fortress in ashes which appears to be British practice in what they still termed the North American Colonies. To even further cloud the issue, another source says that Rawdon received the news at Monck’s Corner. In either event he moved on to Charleston to rebuild his force and move on to Ninety-Six.
The declaration by Congress in September of 1776 changing the name from the "United Colonies" to the "United States" was not accepted by Britain who considered the whole affair very simply as a ragtag rebellion of colonies belonging to the British Crown. The terminology of "ragtag" appears to be more than apt, as so many American armies survived on little, or for days at a time, nothing in the way of food. The lack of food, shoes and basic clothing was more the norm than the exception. The British army was more than justified in the use of the term "ragtag." But, even with an enemy so devoid of almost everything, a well led, well supplied, and battle tested army of Redcoats and Tories could merely defeat, but not destroy, the American force composed of Continentals, Irregulars and Militia. The idea of independence tied all three echelons of Americans together. Had it not been so, then the war in the South would have been lost to the Americans and lost at least no later than Hobkirk’s Hill.
Ninety-Six appears to have been the furthermost of the British/Tory forts in South Carolina and as such was vulnerable to the cutting off of supplies. However, the fort itself was excellently prepared for defense, even the prolonged defense of a siege except for one thing – the fort and village depended on a water supply from a spring located outside the fort. While this would not be their undoing it would, by itself have eventually been the fort’s "Achilles Heel."
The fort encompassed the entire community of Ninety-Six, straddling the road from Charleston to what had been known in the French and Indian War as Fort George. In addition to the usual stockade, the fort had been improved by a star shaped addition at its northeast end which had mounted cannon that could fire in almost a 360 degree arc.
General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee arrived on June 8th followed by General Pickens several days later. Lee was surprised to see that General Kosciusko’s parallels faced the Star fortification which he considered a less vulnerable position than one which threatened the spring. Lee then began parallels in that location and eventually gained control of the spring and the small fortification believing that an extended siege would be shortened by denying water to the people and garrison. Cruger responded by digging a well inside the fort but did not find water and the outlook was dire, influencing him to make some entreaties toward terms of surrender.
Without a doubt the denial of water, even more than a scarcity of foodstuffs, was forcing the garrison to surrender. This appeared to be working until a messenger posing as a curious local was allowed into the American Camp. Nearing the fortress gate he spurred his horse and was allowed into the fort carrying news that Rawdon was on the way. Any thought of surrender was abandoned. Colonel Cruger determined to hold on through thick or thin to await Rawdon’s arrival with an overwhelming force to rescue Ninety-Six.
It was June 11th when Greene was made aware of Rawdon’s march toward the fort with reinforcements This forced Greene to either breach the fort and capture it immediately or give up and move on before he could be trapped between the fort and Rawdon. On June 18th an assault was made by forces on opposite sides of the fort. One group made it into the fort and was doing well. The second force was unable to breach the stockade and the force within was pushed out and retired to it’s own encampment. The assault cost Greene 57 killed, 70 wounded and 20 missing. Cruger acknowledged 27 killed and 58 wounded. The withdrawal by Greene to Charlotte began on June 20th with his rear protected by the old standbys, Lee and Captain Robert Kirkwood. Rawdon arrived on June 21st. Rawdon left Cruger to destroy anything of military value in the fort and remove any inhabitants to Charleston while he left to follow Greene.
On June 24th, after two days of following Greene, Rawdon gave up the chase. Greene, assured that he was not being followed, sent the rear guard to keep watch on Rawdon who having returned to Ninety-Six then moved toward Friday’s Ferry which appears to be synonymous with Nelson’s Ferry, where he was to be joined by a force under Lieutenant Colonel James Stuart (or Stewart) coming from Charleston. Rawdon's trek to Friday’s Ferry must have been a nightmare. The soldiers, clothed in regulation woolen garments, suffered in the humid summer heat resulting in the death of 50 men from sunstroke. Rations too were a problem; for most of the march there was not even salt and their only food was water and any wild cattle or animals that could be shot in the woods along the route of march. Arriving at the ferry, Rawdon learned that Stuart had marched toward the ferry but had been recalled to Charleston. Deciding to move south by forced marches to Orangeburg he pushed Lee and Kirkwood back until they decided to step aside and let him go through unobstructed. With British forces almost nonexistent except along the coast, the situation in the South was about the same as in 1780. So ends the month in South Carolina.
VIRGINIA – June began with a bang. On the 1st, British General Charles Earl Cornwallis sent Major-Commandant John Simcoe to attack American General von Steuben and 600 recruits who were guarding the main depot of American stores in Virginia. General von Steuben forewarned by the capture of 30 recruits had moved across the Fluvanna River, a tributary of the James. Simcoe was unable to follow for lack of boats used the stratagem of spreading out his force and building many campfires, which appeared to von Steuben as an encampment of the entire British army so von Steuben abandoned the stores and retreated to Cole’s ferry. Simcoe sent a detachment across the river and destroyed the stores
On June 4th, Cornwallis sent Colonel Banastre Tarleton and some infantry against Charlottesville, where the Virginia legislature was temporarily in session. On his way he captured and burned twelve wagons loaded with uniforms for Greene’s men. In Charlotte, Governor Jefferson barely escaped. The legislature, forewarned, had fled to safety with the exception of a few who had lagged behind and were apprehended by Tarleton.
On June 10th, American General Lafayette was joined by General Anthony Wayne with three Pennsylvania regiments and by Lieutenant Colonel Forrest and a section of the Continental artillery. On the 13th he was joined by Colonel William Campbell of Virginia with 600 riflemen. Lafayette now felt strong enough to challenge Cornwallis and began a march south toward Cornwallis.
On the 12th, Cornwallis broke camp and moved towards Richmond. Lafayette mistook this for an effort to avoid his army. In actuality it was a move to get nearer to Clinton in New York. Cornwallis entered Richmond on the 16th. Simcoe had been sent on the 23rd to destroy stores at a location west of Williamsburg. Lafayette sent a force to intercept Simcoe on his return to Williamsburg. On the 26th they found part of Simcoe’s force at a tavern and made contact with them. Simcoe's Rangers appeared and the fight was hot and heavy but eventually Simcoe withdrew towards Williamsburg and the main force. Lafayette claimed a victory by virtue of Simcoe’s departure. For the rest of June Lafayette and Cornwallis both lay encamped in and about Williamsburg.
References: Christopher Ward's "The War of the Revolution"; Bruce Lancaster's "The American Revolution"; Dan Higginbotham’s "The War of American Independence";Arthur Meier Schlesinger's "The Almanac of American History".
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