About the same time as Brig. Gen. Sumter laid siege to Thomson’s Plantation, a convoy of twenty wagons and an escort of about 50-80 men (depending on sources) was sent out from Charlestown with clothing, provisions, munitions, and some pay chests for the purpose of establishing what would become Fort Motte.

Obtaining information about the approach of the convoy, Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter, with Col. Edward Lacey and Col. William Bratton attempted to ambush it on a rising piece of ground, known as Big Savannah, a few short miles down the road from Thomson’s Plantation, as it ran roughly southeast toward Eutaw Springs.

As the British passed through the site, the Patriots opened fire on them. An 80-man detachment of British Regulars, commanded by Maj. David McIntosh, quickly formed his line and drove Brig. Gen. Sumter's men back. Brig. Gen. Sumter managed to outflank the Regulars and surrounded the wagons. At one point in the fighting, some of Col. Bratton's men ignored a white flag the British had raised and seven were needlessly killed and a number of others wounded.

The skirmish between the two sides ended in a disaster for the British. The entire force was killed, wounded, or captured. Brig. Gen. Sumter also captured all twenty supply wagons. McCrady reports the British losses as 13 killed and 66 prisoners (actually only 7 killed, and 7 wounded). Both he and Ripley speak of Brig. Gen. Sumter’s force being down to 100 men at this time, but this seems a rather too conservative estimate.

The same or the next day Brig. Gen. Sumter loaded the captured items on flatboats he had been collecting at Manigault's Ferry, and attempted to have them sent downriver towards Nelson’s Ferry, not far from where Capt. Hugh McClure and the rest of his men were to rendezvous with him at a specified location. A treacherous river pilot, however, in passing Fort Watson along the way, steered the boats under the guns of that fort where the stores and money chests were recaptured by the British.

In the meantime, Lord Rawdon sent Maj. Robert McLeroth with the 64th Regiment, a troop of dragoons, and one field piece to relieve McPherson at Thomson's, which they reached on the 24th. When Maj. McLeroth approached Thomson's, Brig. Gen. Sumter on the 24th (or possibly the 25th) retreated to “Mrs. Flud's [Flood’s].” There for at least two days he passed his force over the Santee River by means of a single canoe and swimming the horses.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter - Commanding Officer

SC 1st Brigade of Militia with the following units:

New Acquisition District Regiment detachment led by Col. William Bratton, with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. William Hillhouse

Turkey Creek Regiment detachment led by Col. Edward Lacey, with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. Hugh McClure (at Nelson's Ferry)

Maj. David McIntosh - Commanding Officer

British Regulars - 80 men, unit unknown

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