Nearby Events
Lancaster American Revolution Experience Exhibit
January 11, 2025 @ 10:00 am
County Committee Contact Info
Contact: Gina Bobo
Contact Phone: 803-396-3994
Contact Email: lancastersc250@gmail.com
Lancaster County, South Carolina played a significant role in the American Revolution, becoming the site of key battles and events that shaped the outcome of the war in the Southern theater. It was a hotbed of both conflict and resilience, with local patriot militia, Loyalists and British forces all vying for control.
One of the most tragic events in Lancaster’s Revolutionary history is Buford’s Defeat, also known as the Battle of the Waxhaws. On May 29, 1780, Colonel Abraham Burford was marching his Virginia Regiment to the relief of Charleston when he learned that Charleston had fallen. He turned his regiment around to withdraw to the safety of North Carolina when he was overtaken near the North Carolina state line in present day Lancaster County by the British Legion of Banastre Tarleton. Tarleton demanded that Buford surrender but Buford refused. During the ensuing battle Buford tried to surrender but in the resulting confusion the white flag was not seen and a slaughter of Buford’s regiment followed.
The Battle of Hanging Rock, another important conflict in Lancaster County, occurred on August 6, 1780. The Patriots, led by General Thomas Sumter, launched a surprise attack on the British and Loyalist forces garrisoned there. Although the battle ended inconclusively, the American forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British, further disrupting their control of the Southern backcountry. Notably, a young Andrew Jackson, who would later become the seventh president of the United States, was present at this battle, gaining his first taste of warfare and the brutal realities of the Revolutionary struggle.
Hanging Rock and Buford’s Defeat remain powerful reminders of Lancaster County’s role in the fight for American independence. Visitors today can explore Buford’s Defeat battlefield, where historical markers and monuments tell the stories of the men who fought and fell there. In the future, visitors will be able to visit the Hanging Rock Battlefield Park, which is in the planning stages. Touring these sites offers an immersive experience into the trials and sacrifices of the Revolution, while also walking in the footsteps of figures like Williams Richardson Davie, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Sumter and the Catawba Warriors.
Lancaster County’s Revolutionary War history is a vivid testament to the courage and tenacity of the early Americans. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a casual traveler, exploring these battlefields provides a glimpse into the turbulent years that forged a new nation. Take a tour through Lancaster County and step into the past—discover the battlegrounds where freedom was fought and won.
January 11, 2025 @ 10:00 am
Contact: Gina Bobo
Contact Phone: 803-396-3994
Contact Email: lancastersc250@gmail.com