About mid December, due to plans for the second invasion of North Carolina, and additional British troops being thereby drawn outside of the state, and, as well, Marion's success in the field, Balfour changed the Charleston-to-Camden supply route from the shorter route of Nelson's Ferry and the Santee Road, to the much-longer one going from Monck's Corner to Friday's Ferry on the Congaree River.

Balfour ordered that boats on the Santee stay below Murry’s Ferry. However, one boat which did not receive the directive in time and was captured and burned at Nelson's Ferry by Marion's men on 14 December. Although the 64th Regiment was posted at Nelson's Ferry at the time of the raid, their numbers were not sufficient to pursue Marion's mounted men.