The American Revolution in South Carolina




The American Revolution in South Carolina

Moore's Surprise
November 13, 1781

Patriot Cdr:	Maj. John Moore	Loyalist Cdr:	Maj. William Cunningham
Killed:	4	Killed:	Unk
Wounded:	8	Wounded:	Unk
Captured:	0	Captured:	Unk
Old District:	Orangeburgh District	Present County:	Orangeburg County
aka Rowe's Plantation, the home of Col. Christopher Rowe, former commander of the Orangeburgh District Regiment. A detachment of Patriot militia under Maj. John Moore was surprised and routed by Loyalist militia under Maj. "Bloody Bill" Cunningham. Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter resumed his command in early November at the request of Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, and he was moving towards Orangeburgh to continue operations in that area. He sent Maj. John Moore to scout ahead, and this patrol ran into Maj. William Cunningham's camp. Maj. Moore and his small patrol attacked the Loyalists and drove them out of their camp, but Maj. Cunningham's men returned a heavy fire from the nearby swamp. Maj. Moore's men could not stand up under the accurate fire and scattered. He had four men killed and eight men wounded.
Known Patriot Participants		Known British/Loyalist Participants
SC 1st Regiment of State Dragoons detachment led by Maj. John Moore, with unknown number of men		Maj. William Cunningham, with unknown number of Loyalists.