While resting his troops at Blakely's Plantation, Lt. Col. Watson and Brig. Gen. Marion exchanged several messages. Each accused the other of violating the rules of war. As the seige continued, Lt. Col. Watson's letters became more subdued. He asked for a pass for Lt. Torriano and other wounded so they could go onward to Charleston for medical attention. Marion granted the request.

On March 28, Lt. Col. John Watson Tadwell-Watson and his British force decided it was time to break camp at Blakely's Plantation. Brig. Marion sent Lt. Col. Peter Horry’s horsemen ahead of Lt. Col. Watson, and they destroyed the Sampit Bridge in Lt. Col. Watson’s path as he headed down the road toward Georgetown. Lt. Col. Horry’s men were then set to receive Lt. Col. Watson, but he drove forward on them with bayonets affixed.

At the same time, however, Brig. Gen. Marion attacked and badly cut up his rear guard as it forded the Sampit River, since the bridge had already been partially destroyed by the partisans to impede the British as they retired. His own horse shot out from under him, Lt. Col. Watson then opened up his cannon on Brig. Gen. Marion's men and drove them back.

Leaving twenty dead behind him, Lt. Col. Watson then proceeded to Trapier’s Plantation where he camped. The next day, with a reported two wagonloads of wounded, Lt. Col. Watson made it to Georgetown.

Although there is apparently no accurate count of Lt. Col. Watson’s losses during his expedition against Brig. Gen. Marion during this month, the total was reportedly not inconsiderable, 40 being both a reasonable and conservative estimate. Brig. Gen. Marion's casualties, on the other hand, appear to have been negligible.

Brig. Gen. Francis Marion - Commanding Officer

Kingstree Regiment detachment led by Maj. John James with one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. Thomas Potts, with 40 men

Berkeley County Regiment detachment of one (1) known company, led by:
- Capt. Robert McCottry, with 30 men

or

- Capt. William McCottry

Horry's Light Dragoons led by Lt. Col. Peter Horry, with three (3) known companies, led by:
- Capt. John Baxter
- Capt. William Black
- Capt. Daniel Conyers

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Lt. Col. John Watson Tadwell-Watson - Commanding Officer

Royal Regiment of Artillery - 2 field pieces

Provincials led by Maj. Thomas Barclay with the following units:

King's American Regiment, Light Infantry Company led by Capt. Thomas Cornwell

DeLancey's Brigade, 3rd Battalion, Capt. Gilbert Willett's Light Infantry Company led by Lt. Edmond Evans

NJ Volunteers, 1st Battalion, Light Infantry Company led by Capt. James Shaw

NJ Volunteers, 2nd Battalion, Light Infantry Company led by Capt. Norman McLeod

NJ Volunteers, 4th Battalion, Light Infantry Company led by Capt. Jacob Van Buskirk

SC Rangers - 80 men

Loyalist Militia led by Lt. Col. Henry Richbourg with Capt. John Brockington and 150 men