Skirmish, Col. Edward Lacey vs. Unknown British (or allied) commander.

The task of defending the lower part of the state against British incursions was made more difficult by the refusal of the local militia to turn out in sufficient numbers. The people in this militia district, having taken offense because Col. William Harden had not been appointed brigadier, were not inclined to serve under the recently commissioned Brig. Gen. John Barnwell's command.

During the period of Brereton's raid, Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene and Brig. Gen. William Henderson were forced to use backcountry militia units to defend the coast. Col. Edward Lacey was dispatched with his regiment (Turkey Creek Regiment) to protect the neighborhood of Edisto Island.

When a British foraging party landed on the island, Col. Lacey set out with a party of fifteen to twenty men and captured two enemy boats loaded with provisions, which he burned and sank. During his withdrawal, Col. Lacey was pursued and overtaken by the British landing party, but the Patriot commander had stationed his riflemen in a very advantageous position, and he thoroughly routed the opposition with two effective broadsides.

As late as the 1850s, the wrecks of the British vessels are said to have been visible during low tide.