December 12, 1780 Battle of Halfway Swamp: Major McLeroth and his British Regular troops met at Nelson’s Ferry recruits for the Royal Fusiliers, who departed Charleston for Camden. McLeroth was to escort them to the High Hills. General Marion with 700 troops intercepted McLeroth’s group and began driving in the pickets. Under a flag of truce McLeroth complained and after they talked, it was decided each side would field 20 men to face off and fight. Major Vanderhorst and the picked twenty decided to wait until they were 50 yards away to fire their buckshot. As they closed to less than 100 yards, the Redcoats broke and ran. During the night the British stole away, leaving their equipment and supplies behind. Marion sent James and his cavalry after them. James fired on the British at Singleton’s Mill but quickly departed the mill area when he learned the Singletons had smallpox.
Location: Old River Road, SR 76, near Rimini, south of Summerton, SC, Pinewood, South Carolina 29125, United States
