August 24, 1780 Battle of Nelson’s Ferry or Great Savannah: The stage for this battle was set when the British Lord Cornwallis defeated General Horatio Gates in the Battle of Camden. Baron De Kalb was killed and about 150 Marylanders were taken prisoner by the British. General Marion was ordered by Gates to roam the Santee River burning boats so as to isolate Camden from Charleston. He was successfully engaged in this task when he learned of the defeat at Camden August 16, 1780. He withheld this information from his 60 troops and continued to burn boats. He learned from a deserter that a British Capt. Roberts with an escort of 90 troops was holding the 150 Maryland prisoners at General Thomas Sumter’s home, on the north savannah of the Santee River near Nelson’s Ferry. He attacked after dark and killed or captured 23 of the escorts and released all the prisoners, most of whom elected not to join Marion’s Militia. This is thought to be the first time Cornwallis heard of General Marion.
Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Pine Island Unit, Summerton, SC, Summerton, South Carolina 29148, United States
