The American Revolution in South Carolina

Orangeburgh

May 11, 1781

Patriot Cdr:

Brigadier General
Thomas Sumter
 British Cdr:

Capt. Henry Giesendanner
Killed:

0
 Killed:

1
Wounded:

0
 Wounded:

Unknown
Captured:

0
 Captured:

84
Old District: 

Orangeburgh District
 Present County:

Orangeburg County

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

Brigadier General 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 Major General Nathanael Greene, Brigadier General Thomas Sumter attacked the garrison at the British post of Orangeburgh. The commanding officer there was Capt. Henry Giesendanner, with 70 Regulars and fifteen Loyalists.

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

Brigadier General 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. Brigadier General Sumter's men threw Capt. Giesendanner into the local jail.

Known Patriot Participants

Known British/Loyalist Participants

Brigadier General Thomas Sumter - Commanding Officer

Hill's Regiment of Light Dragoons (State Troops) 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

SC 1st Regiment of State Dragoons (State Troops) 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 (State Troops) 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 (State Troops) 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 (State Troops) detachment led by Lt. Col. Henry Hampton, with two (2) known companies, led by:
- Capt. Jacob Barnett
- Capt. Joseph Robins

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

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

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

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

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

2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia detachment led by Major 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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