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By February of 1777, Brig. Gen. Robert Howe was in command of the Continental Army's Southern Department, with his headquarters in Charlestown. South Carolinian Brig. Gen. Christopher Gadsden did not get along with Brig. Gen. Robert Howe, therefore, he resigned on August 21, 1777. This left Brig. Gen. William Moultrie as the only general officer representing South Carolina within the Continental Army for a year and a half.

In early 1777, Thomas Brandon created the 2nd Spartan Regiment and he was elected its first and only Colonel and commander until the end of the war. Lt. Col. James Williams took over the Little River District Regiment (of militia) from Col. John Lindsey.

Capt.-Lt. John Withers disbanded his independent company of Indian rovers towards the end of 1776, leaving only two independent companies - one reporting directly to Col. William Thomson of the SC 3rd Regiment, and one reporting directly to the Council of Safety.