The American Revolution in South Carolina




The American Revolution in South Carolina

Coosawhatchie
May 3, 1779

Patriot Cdr:	Lt. Col. John Laurens	British Cdr:	Lt. Col. John Maitland
Killed:	3	Killed:	Unknown
Wounded:	8	Wounded:	Unknown
Captured:	0	Captured:	Unknown
Old District:	Beaufort District	Present County:	Jasper County
One source claims this happened on May 4th. Lt. Col. John Laurens and his men were in position on a slight rise near the bridge at the Coosawhatchie River. They were guarding the road against the expected assault by about 2,400 British soldiers and Loyalists under Brigadier General Augustine Prevost from Savannah. On May 3rd, Lt. Col. John Laurens and a 250-man detachment of the North Carolina Light Infantry were on a mission to bring back the Patriot rear guard before the British cut them off. When they encountered the British, Lt. Col. Laurens chose a bad position for his troops. The British fired long-range artillery at the Patriots, who were powerless to do anything. Lt. Col. Laurens was shot in the arm and his horse was killed by artillery fragments. As Lt. Col. John Laurens was sent back for medical attention, he told Capt. Thomas Shubrick to maintain their position. Once Lt. Col. Laurens left though, Capt. Shubrick ordered the Patriots to withdraw. With many of the soldiers also wounded, they fell back to the Tullifinny River, about two miles east. He knew that if they had stayed, the entire group would have been captured.
Known Patriot Participants		Known British/Loyalist Participants
Lt. Col. John Laurens - Commanding Officer Major John Barnwell - Aide-de-Camp to Laurens Capt. Thomas Fletchall - Continental Army NC Light Infantry (Continentals) with 250 men, led by "Unknown" SC 5th Regiment detachment led by Capt. Thomas Shubrick, with 100 men SC 6th Regiment detachment led by Capt. Alexander Walker Beaufort District Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. William Hazzard Wigg Camden District Regiment of Militia detachment of two (2) known companies with 150 men, led by: - Capt. John James - Capt. Hugh White Cheraws District Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. William Dewitt Georgetown District Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. Jacob Buckholts New Acquisition District Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. Philip Walker Fairfield Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. Angus Campbell Upper Craven County Regiment of Militia detachment led by Capt. Thomas Lloyd		Lt. Col. John Maitland - Commanding Officer, with a total of approximately 800 men 71st Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders) led by Lt. Col. John Maitland 16th Regiment of Foot Light Infantry Company led by Major Colin Graham Royal Regiment of Artillery, 4th Battalion, Number 7 Company led by Capt. William Johnstone with 6 guns - - - - - - - - - - - - -