The American Revolution in South Carolina

Orangeburgh

May 11, 1781


Patriot Cdr:

Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter
British Cdr:

Capt. Henry Giesendanner
Killed:

0
Killed:

1
Wounded:

0
Wounded:

Unk
Captured:

0
Captured:

84
Old District: 

Orangeburgh District
Present County:

Orangeburg County

One source asserts that this engagement happened on May 15th.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter and his Patriots captured the British post along with its garrison of British regulars and Loyalists.


After receiving a 6-pound cannon from Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter attacked the garrison at the British post of Orangeburgh. The commanding officer there was Capt. Henry Giesendanner, with 70 men and fifteen Provincials.

Brig. Gen. Sumter rode ahead with 120 mounted men and laid seige to the British post, who took refuge in a brick building. Capt. Giesendanner sent an express to Gen. Leslie in Charleston for assistance, but no relief was able to respond in time.

Brig. Gen. Sumter's artillery piece and the remainder of his men arrived on May 11th and he soon began bombarding the brick house. Soon, a breach was made through the gable end, then another a little lower, then about the center, and the garrison then sent up the white flag. Brig. Gen. Sumter's men threw Capt. Giesendanner into the local jail.

Known Patriot Participants

Known British/Loyalist Participants

Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter - Commanding Officer

Fairfield Regiment detachment led by Col. Richard Winn, with five (5) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Amos Davis
- Capt. Charnal Durham
- Capt. Robert Frost
- Capt. Aramana Liles
- Capt. John Turner

Hill's Regiment of Light Dragoons led by Col. William Hill, Lt. Col. James Hawthorn, with five (5) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Carr
- Capt. Thomas Gill
- Capt. John Hollis
- Capt. John McKenzie
- Capt. William McKenzie

Camden District Regiment detachment led by Col. Thomas Taylor, with four (4) known companies, led by:
- Capt. James Craig
- Capt. Andrew Leter
- Capt. John Robertson
- Capt. Thomas Starke

Turkey Creek Regiment detachment led by Col. Edward Lacey, with three (3) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Morris
- Capt. James Ramsey
- Capt. Thomas Robins

SC 1st Regiment of State Dragoons led by Col. Wade Hampton, with three (3) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Alexander
- Capt. James Giles
- Capt. John Reed

SC 2nd Regiment of State Dragoons led by Col. Charles Starke Myddleton, with three (3) known companies, led by:
- Capt. John Gray
- Capt. John McCord
- Capt. Francis Moore

Polk's Regiment of Light Dragoons led by Lt. Col. William Polk, with three (3) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Hutchison
- Capt. Nathaniel Marshall Martin
- Capt. Samuel Martin

Hampton's Regiment of Light Dragoons detachment led by Lt. Col. Henry Hampton, with two (2) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Jacob Barnett
- Capt. Joseph Robins

Kershaw Regiment detachment of two (2) known companies, led by:
- Capt. William Deason
- Capt. John Watts

New Acquisition District Regiment detachment of two (2) known companies, led by:
- Capt. John Peters
- Capt. Thomas Woods, Sr.

1st Spartan Regiment detachment led by Maj. William Smith, with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. John Roebuck

2nd Spartan Regiment detachment led by Maj. Thomas Young, with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. Samuel Otterson

Capt. Henry Giesendanner - Commanding Officer

70 British Regulars

15 Loyalists

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