The American Revolution in South Carolina

Black River

April 2, 1781


Patriot Cdr:

Lt. Col. Lemuel Benton
British Cdr:

Lt. John Wilson
Killed:

1
Killed:

0
Wounded:

"several"
Wounded:

5
Captured:

Unk
Captured:

0
Old District: 

Georgetown District
Present County:

Georgetown County

aka Wragg's Ferry.

On April 2, a twenty-man detachment of the Queen's Rangers, commanded by Lt. John Wilson, was sent to cover a detail that had been sent to load flatboats with forage from a plantation on the Black River. As the detail was ending, the British were attacked by a group of sixty of Marion's Patriots, commanded by Lt. Col. Lemuel Benton. The Patriots made two charges against the British, but were driven off both times. Lt. Wilson counterattacked after the last attempt, and drove off Lt. Col. Benton. Losses are not known, but Lt. Wilson, who was wounded in the action, received a commendation from Balfour.

Capt. John Saunders in Simcoe’s Journal: “Lt. [John] Wilson was sent on the 2d of April, with twenty men, attended by a galley, to cover a party sent to load some flats with forage, at a plantation on Black river: he debarked and remained on shore several hours before he saw a single rebel; but when he had nearly completed his business, he was attacked by about sixty of them, under the command of a Major [Lemuel] Benton: he repulsed them in two attempts that they made to get within the place where he had posted himself; he then charged and drove them off.

Known Patriot Participants

Known British/Loyalist Participants

Cheraws District Regiment detachment led by Lt. Col. Lemuel Benton, with 60 of men 

-

Queen's Rangers detachment led by Lt. John Wilson, with 20 men

Flatboats, with unknown number of men



© 2009 - J.D. Lewis - PO Box 1188 - Little River, SC 29566 - All Rights Reserved