On Saturday, August 19, 2023, South Carolina Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Children of the American Revolution will celebrate the Patriot victory over Tory troops that happened on August 18, 1780.
During that summer, Loyalist troops camped at Edward Musgrove’s land, because it was prime real estate. The ford across the Enoree River on his property provided a known crossing. His gristmill provided food for hungry soldiers, and its location provided a convenient and recognizable gathering place for the British. In an effort to gain control of communication and transportation throughout the backcountry, the British took control of the ford and the mill, setting up camp around Edward’s home. Tents covered the property, and the house was a hospital.
A group of 200 Patriot militiamen rode to strike what they thought was an equal number of Loyalists at Musgrove Mill. Instead, they found themselves badly outnumbered, the Tories having been joined by 300 provincial regulars from the British post at Ninety Six. A retreat was impossible, a frontal assault suicidal. The Patriots were unable to either retreat or make a frontal assault. Using their wits, they lured the Loyalists into attacking them.
The Patriot force consisted of Georgians under Colonel Elijah Clarke, South Carolinians under Colonel James Williams, and a group of “Over Mountain Men” from present-day Tennessee commanded by Colonel Isaac Shelby.
With their position compromised by an enemy patrol and horses unable to go on without rest, the Patriots understood that they must stand and fight despite being outnumbered better than two to one. At the top of a ridge across the road leading down to Musgrove Mill, the partisans quickly formed a semicircular breastwork of brush and fallen timber about three hundred yards long.
In the best tradition of guerrilla tactics, a band of about 20 men under the leadership of Captain Shadrach Inman crossed the Enoree and engaged the enemy. Feigning confusion they retreated back toward the line of ambush until the Loyalists were nearly on the Patriot line. When the Loyalists spotted the Patriot line, they fired too early. The Patriots, however, held their fire until the Loyalists got within killing range of their muskets.
Patriot musket fire operated “with devastating effect.” Nonetheless, the Tory regulars were well disciplined and nearly overwhelmed the Patriot right flank with a bayonet charge. Isaac Shelby ordered his reserve of “Over the Mountain Men” to support him, and they rushed into the battle shrieking Indian war cries. The Tories wavered, and when a number of their officers went down, they broke. Their guerilla warfare prevailed and won.
Patriots ran from their positions “yelling, shooting, and slashing on every hand.” The whole battle took perhaps an hour. The backcountry made sure that their enemy knew that a line had been drawn in the sand. They chose with their lives on the line to not be ruled by a foreign king any longer.
As the Patriots rode away, there was hope in their hearts because of this decisive win.
And it was only two months later that the Battle of Kings Mountain would be fought. And once again, the British saw that the backcountry meant business.
Visiting the Musgrove Mill Historic site gives us another opportunity to walk through history.
Sheila Ingle 