The American Revolution in South Carolina

Pon Pon

March 23, 1780


Patriot Cdr:

Lt. Col. William Washington
British Cdr:

Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton
Killed:

10
Killed:

0
Wounded:

1
Wounded:

0
Captured:

4
Captured:

0
Old District: 

Charles Town District
Present County:

Charleston County

aka Bee's Plantation. One source asserts that this skirmish happened on March 20th.


On March 23rd, a party of mounted Patriot militia and Catawba Indians were surprised by the British. The Indians were driven off of Bee's Plantation.

Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton:

“The inhabitants of Carolina having heard of the loss of the cavalry horses at sea, had flattered themselves that they could not be speedily recruited. In order to confine the British troops as much as possible to the line of march, and to prevent their collecting horses in the country, some of them accoutred themselves as cavaliers, and a few days after the junction of the dragoons from Beaufort, ventured to insult the front of General Patterson's corps, which was composed of his cavalry, who made a charge, unexpected by the Americans, and without any loss took some prisoners, and obtained a number of horses.”

Lt. Anthony Allaire:

"Thursday, 23d. All the army, except the Seventy-first regiment, and greatest part of the baggage, crossed the river in boats and flats, the bridge being destroyed. Col. Tarleton came up with a party of Rebel militia dragoons, soon after crossing the river at Gov. Bee's plantation. He killed ten, and took four prisoners. Gov. Bee was formerly Lieut. Gov. under His Majesty, is now one of the members of Congress, and Lieut. Gov. of South Carolina."

William Dobein James:

"On the 23d, he [Tarleton] put to flight another party at Ponpon, killed three, wounded one, and took four prisoners."

Known Patriot Participants

Known British/Loyalist Participants
3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons (VA) led by Lt. Col. William Washington, with unknown number of men British Legion Cavalry led by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, with unknown number of men
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