The British commander at Charleston, Lt. Col. Nisbet Balfour, sent Maj. Robert McLeroth and his 64th Regiment of Foot from Charleston to Kingstree in early November of 1780. He had with him 300 British regulars and 300 mounted Loyalist militia and two cannons.

Maj. McLeroth abandoned Kingstree on November 22 and marched towards Murry's Ferry on the Santee River. Maj. McLeroth returned to Kingstree on December 6th.

Maj. McLeroth was replaced by Lt. Col. John Watson, who constructed Fort Watson on Wright's Bluff in what is present-day Clarendon County.

After the fall of Charleston in May of 1780, John James returned to Williamsburg County and began raising Patriot sentiments in and around Kingstree. Four new companies of militia were quickly established and assembled in Kingstree, under the following captains: Henry Mouzon - King's Tree Company; John McCauley - South Black River Company; John James, Jr. - Lynch's Lake Company; and, Robert McCottry* - Cedar Swamp/Black Mingo Company. A battalion of 300 men was created and they elected John James as Major. This new batallion became the nucleus of BG Francis Marion's new Brigade of 1780.

*One source says his first name was Robert, while another source says his first name was William.