Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln sent 1,000 men to Brig. Gen. William Moultrie at Black Swamp to delay Gen. Augustine Prevost if he did not cross the Savannah River. As soon as Gen. Prevost crossed the river with 2,000 troops, BG Moultrie abandoned Black Swamp, leaving only 100 men of the SC 5th Regiment to delay the British. BG Moultrie requested artillery from Gov. John Rutledge, but none arrived. Neither Gen. Lincoln nor Gov. Rutledge thought that Gen. Prevost would make an attempt to capture Charleston.

At the Coosawhatchie River, the remainder of the SC 5th Regiment rendezvoused with BG William Moultrie. BG Moultrie decided to make a stand at Tullifinny Hill, a small hill overlooking the Coosawhatchie River, that he considered being more defendable. BG Moultrie had guards at all possible crossing points, and placed 100 men at the main crossing point. He requested an additional 100 cavalrymen from Rutledge, but they did not arrive.

Maj. Gen. Lincoln did send 250 hand-picked men under the command of Lt. Col. John Laurens. These men were North Carolinian State Troops, known as the North Carolina Light Infantry. On May 3rd, BG Moultrie sent Lt. Col. Laurens’ Light Infantry, and 150 hand-picked men of various militia companies, to bring back the rear guard before it was cut off. Laurens was supposed to escort the rear guard back to Tullifinny Hill. Lt. Col. Laurens did not withdraw the rear guard, but instead formed his 400 men and the rear guard for battle on the west bank of the Coosawhatchie River - now known as the battle of Coosawhatchie.

When the wounded Lt. Col. Laurens returned to BG Moultrie's position on Tullifinny Hill he told the general that the Patriots could not adequately defend their position based upon Gen. Prevost's strength. BG Moultrie suppressed his anger and ordered the bridge over the Tullifinny River destroyed. He retreated with his demoralized army towards Charlestown burning bridges as he went.