The Battle of Musgrove's Mill was one of the many obscure engagements for which accurate records pertaining to the fight are rare. But it was nevertheless a brilliant victory for the Americans.

It came just two days after the terrible American loss at Camden and the same day as the loss at Fishing Creek. Still, those who fought at Musgrove's Mill were not inspired nor discouraged by the situation because, communications being what they were in those days, the combatants at Musgrove's Mill didn't even know about Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates' defeat at Camden or Col. Thomas Sumter's defeat at Fishing Creek.

The Battle of Musgrove Mills took place in what is now Laurens County on August 18, 1780, two days after the Battle of Camden. The Patriot forces were led by Col. Isaac Shelby, and much like the organizational structure at Kings Mountain later, Col. Shelby's forces were made up of several smaller units with individual commanders. They probably totaled no more than 250, although some estimates say as many as 750.

They planned to attack and disperse a band of Loyalists of similar size (though some records say much larger) at Musgrove's Mill, on the Enoree River, but when they got there, they found that the Loyalists had been reinforced with about 100 extra men who were better trained and equipped than the first 200. These men, though better soldiers and attired in redcoats, were apparently not British regulars, but Provincials led by Lt. Col. Alexander Innis. They were recruited and trained in this country. And we hasten to point out, after Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan and Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene finished mauling them later, they were about to need to recruit a lot more.

Col. Shelby decided to try to lure the Loyalists into attacking him at a prepared defensive position. Unfortunately, Col. Shelby lost the element of surprise when he was discovered and engaged in a brief skirmish.

At that point, Col. Shelby and his main force fell back a short distance and created a defensive line within sight of the Loyalist force. Patriot units were led by Col. Elijah Clarke of Georgia and Col. James Williams of South Carolina. The Patriots were successful in goading the Loyalists into an attack.

After a fierce back and forth exchange, Lt. Col. Innis was shot from his horse and the redcoated provincial troops began to fall back. This caused the other less seasoned Loyalists to waver and allowed the Patriots to take the initiative. It became a rout and only ended when the fleeing Loyalists reached and crossed the Enoree River.

At that point, news of Maj. Gen. Gates's defeat at Camden arrived along with the fact that British Maj. Patrick Furguson was nearby. The Patriots quickly decided to retreat with their prisoners and reportedly missed being caught by Maj. Furguson by less than thirty minutes.

The Patriots suffered four killed and nine wounded, while the British had 63 killed, 90 wounded and 76 captured. It was a decisive win and one of the few times American militia defeated trained British professionals.

Col. Isaac Shelby - Commanding Officer

Sullivan County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment, led by Col. Isaac Shelby, Lt. Col. Charles Robertson, with the following six (6) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Joseph Culbertson
- Capt. Major Parson (from SC)
- Capt. James Roddy
- Capt. Valentine Sevier, Jr.
- Capt. George Taylor
- Capt. Thomas Wallace

Burke County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment, led by Maj. Joseph McDowell, with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. David Vance

Washington County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment, led by Maj. Jonathan Tipton, with 100 men in the following seven (7) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Bean
- Capt. Godfrey Isbell
- Capt. John McCampbell
- Capt. John McNabb
- Capt. Thomas Price
- Capt. James Stinson
- Capt. William Trimble

Wilkes County Militia (GA) detachment, led by Col. Elijah Clarke (wounded) with Capt. Shadrack Inman (killed) and 25 men

SC Militia led by Col. James Williams with the following regiments:

Little River District Regiment detachment led by Col. James Williams, Lt. Col. Joseph Hayes, with five (5) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Samuel Farrow (wounded)
- Capt. Thomas Farrow
- Capt. Robert Gillam, Jr.
- Capt. Josiah Greer
Capt. John Ridgeway, Sr.

2nd Spartan Regiment detachment led by Col. Thomas Brandon, Lt. Col. James Steen, with seven (7) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Andrew Barry (wounded)
- Capt. Benjamin Jolly
- Capt. John Lindsay
- Capt. Joseph McJunkin
- Capt Hugh Means
- Capt. Moses White
- Capt. William Young

Roebuck's Battalion of Spartan Regiment detachment led by Col. Benjamin Roebuck, with four (4) known companies led by:
- Capt. Samuel Peden
- Capt. George Roebuck
- Capt. Dennis Tramell
- Capt. Moses Wood

1st Spartan Regiment detachment led by Maj. Josiah Culbertson, Maj. William Smith, with two (2) known companies, led by:
- Capt. John Collins
- Capt. William Smith

Lower District Regiment detachment of one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. Jacob Folmer

Total Patriot Forces - 200 to 300

Lt. Col. Alexander Innis - Commanding Officer

SC Royalists led by Maj. Thomas Fraser with 100 men

NJ Volunteers, 3rd Battalion Light Company led by Capt. Peter Campbell with 50 men

DeLancey's Brigade, 1st Battalion detachment led by Capt. James Kerr with 50 men

Fanning's SC Loyalist Militia led by Capt. David Fanning with 14 men

Ninety-Six District Brigade of Loyalist Militia detachment, led by Col. Daniel Clary, with 100-300 men of the Dutch Fork Loyalist Regiment in the following seven (7) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Hawsey
- Capt. Vachal Clary
- Capt. Humphrey Williamson
- Capt. William Balletine
- Capt. George Stroup
- Capt. James Wright
- Capt. William Thompson

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