The American Revolution in South Carolina

Galley Captured

March 19, 1782


Patriot Cdr:

Maj. Michael Rudolph
British Cdr:

Unk
Killed:

Unk
Killed:

4-5
Wounded:

Unk
Wounded:

Unk
Captured:

0
Captured:

29
Old District: 

Charles Town District
Present County:

Charleston County

aka Ashley River.

Lt. Col. Henry Lee returned to Virginia and left command of his Legion to Maj. Michael Rudolph. Maj. Rudolph concealed a group of men, including Lt. Ballard Smith and Sgt. Du Coin, under vegetables in a supply boat and set out down the Ashley River, ostensibly on the way to market in Charlestown. He was dressed as a farmer and had four men dressed as slave boatmen.

His boat was hailed by a sentry aboard a British galley patrolling the river at 10 pm. Rudolph drew alongside and his men jumped aboard the galley, killing the sentry and three or four others. He captured the captain and 28 sailors. The rest escaped overboard. Rudolph's Patriots took what suited them then burned the galley and returned upstream in their small boat.



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