Patriot Capt. William Butler vs. "Bloody Bill' Cunningham. A detachment of Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens Patriots made a surprise attack on and routed a group of Loyalists camped in the area near Lorick's Ferry.

With Capt. Butler were men who had lost brothers, fathers, and neighbors to Maj. Cunningham during his "Bloody Scout." He needed to find out exactly where Maj. Cunningham was so he sent his brother Thomas to the house of Joseph Cunningham, a relative of Maj. Cunningham. In the dark, Thomas identified himself as one of Maj. Cunningham's men and asked where the raider's camp was located. Joseph Cunningham's wife fell for the trick and told him. Capt. Butler appeared, put a pistol to Joseph Cunningham's head, and forced him to lead his Patriots to the camp.

Capt. Bulter ordered his 30 men to surround the camp and to attempt to take Maj. Cunningham alive. At daylight, twenty Loyalists started drying their blankets around a fire and saw Capt. Butler approach. They mistook him for Maj. Cunningham, since the two men apparently looked a lot alike. When Capt. Butler was close enough he charged.

The Loyalists had a pre-arranged plan of escape and took off in every direction. Maj. Cunningham leapt to his horse and raced for the Saluda River. Capt. Butler pursued, with Maj. Cunningham trying to fire his pistol, then trying to use his sword, but it was yanked from him by a passing bush. Capt. Butler only had a sword and could not narrow the gap between him and his prey. Maj. Cunningham reached the Saluda River and his horse swam to safety.

Capt. Butler's men pursued the other Loyalists and caught up with them at the Saluda River. The Patriots fired on them and killed a few, but Capt. Butler ordered his men to cease the slaughter.

Maj. Cunningham made his way to Charleston, but he was never able to raise another band of militia for the Loyalists.