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Southern Campaign: British Invasion and Major Battles (1778-1780)
- Prevost’s March (April 29-July 8, 1779): Jasper, Hampton, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, Charleston Counties. British raid toward Charleston. Forces: British (3,000 under Brig. Gen. Augustine Prevost); Patriots (varying, up to 2,500 under Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln). Casualties: Scattered; total ~100 per side.
- Stono Ferry (June 20, 1779): Charleston County. Patriots attacked British rear guard during retreat. Forces: Patriots (1,200 under Lincoln); British (900 under Lt. Col. John Maitland). Casualties: Patriots (34 KIA, 113 WIA, 155 MIA); British (26 KIA, 93 WIA, 1 MIA). Indecisive but high losses.
- Siege of Charleston (March 29-May 12, 1780): Charleston County. British besieged and captured city, largest Patriot surrender. Forces: Patriots (5,466 under Lincoln); British (12,847 under Gen. Henry Clinton). Casualties: Patriots (89 KIA, 138 WIA, 5,266 MIA); British (76 KIA, 189 WIA). Turning point for British control.
- Waxhaws (May 29, 1780): Lancaster County. Loyalist cavalry massacred surrendering Patriots (“Tarleton’s Quarter”). Forces: Patriots (400 under Col. Abraham Buford); British/Loyalists (270 under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton). Casualties: Patriots (113 KIA, 150 WIA, 53 MIA); British (5 KIA, 14 WIA).
- Camden (August 16, 1780): Kershaw County. British routed disorganized Patriots. Forces: Patriots (3,700 under Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates); British (2,100 under Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis). Casualties: Patriots (250 KIA, 800 WIA, 1,000 MIA); British (68 KIA, 245 WIA, 11 MIA). Devastating defeat.
- Musgrove Mill (August 19, 1780): Laurens County. Patriot ambush defeated Loyalists. Forces: Patriots (200 militia under Cols. Isaac Shelby, James Williams, Elijah Clarke); Loyalists (500 under Maj. Patrick Ferguson). Casualties: Patriots (4 KIA, 9 WIA); Loyalists (63 KIA, 90 WIA, 70 MIA).
- Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780): Cherokee County (on NC/SC border). Overmountain Men Patriots annihilated Loyalists. Forces: Patriots (900 militia); Loyalists (1,105 under Ferguson). Casualties: Patriots (29 KIA, 58 WIA); Loyalists (290 KIA, 163 WIA, 668 MIA). Major turning point.
- Blackstocks (November 20, 1780): Union County. Patriots repelled British dragoons. Forces: Patriots (1,000 under Sumter); British (350 under Tarleton). Casualties: Patriots (3 KIA, 4 WIA); British (92 KIA, 100 WIA).
