![\"\"/](\"https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qhjJvkkm5Ww/W4ex5FA4mPI/AAAAAAAAAVM/7ODJPbjPk20oAz2iTIQAlSC5NuWujgZGACLcBGAs/s320/juniper%2Bsprings.JPG\")
A man and a horse do not a cavalry make! A lack of swords was a serious problem for Revolutionary war era cavalry, and on June 18, 1781 the Patriots got the worst end of their encounter with 200 British mounted infantry in Gilbert, SC. After this running battle from Highway 1 down Peach Festival Road, Patriot Colonel Charles Myddelton’s troops were scattered and demoralized.
These were men under General Sumter who were sent to follow and harass Lord Rawdon\’s troops. Rawdon was on the march to the fort at Ninety Six; which was being besieged by Nathaniel Greene and 1600 Patriots.
![\"\"/](\"https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBzQZ9rkRXE/W4e1SrR3r9I/AAAAAAAAAVw/n9r5WP9s_Pop48HgTQ9ibpOz855gJXvogCEwYBhgL/s1600/road%2Bsign%2Bintersection%2Bof%2Btory%2Bgraves%2Bfrom%2BJuniper%2BSprings%2B%25282%2529.jpg\")
The British regrouped at Vaudant’s Old Fields before continuing their march north. Here they buried 4 of the King’s men and 4 Patriots. They also hung 2 of their own from a nearby tree. Their corpses swung in the wind for three weeks until a farmer happened upon them, cut them down and buried them along with the others.
The graves of the these unknown soldiers can be found in a corn field on Cedar Grove Rd. Silent markers of stone sit upright like Cypress knees to mark the earthen beds of the fallen. Poor monuments to the conflict and the men who helped win our Liberty.
![\"\"/](\"https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4h1VpFkVpM0/W4e69GdLzzI/AAAAAAAAAWM/nhBYclDwXEw6AaD155YpcmiTq5qUQqdegCLcBGAs/s1600/gravesite%2Bof%2Btories%2Bfrom%2BJuniper%2Bsprings%2B%25283%2529.jpg\")
Greene\’s strategy of attrition was working. The British ultimately abandoned Ninety Six and consolidated their forces in Orangeburg.(1) Freedom Reigns!
(1) Parker\’s Guide to the Revolutionary War in South Carolina, John C. Parker Jr.
I am looking to see if there is available the names of Patriots who died and are
buried at the Juniper Springs Battlefield. A life long friend Buddington Heyward Parker has a descendant of his that is buried at the site. Samuel either Mac or Mc Waters one of two brothers in the engagement. Looking to confirm this information.
My ancestor, first to come to South Carolina, William Swinton was the Royal Surveyor for King Georgetown that founded Georgetown along with Perceval Pawley and William Screven. Alexander and Thomas Swinton were William Swinton sons that fought with Francis Marion. Alexander Swinton was Marion’s Brigade Major (Chief of Staff) that was wounded at the Battle of Quinby Bridge. Light Horse Harry Lee and Marion along with Thomas Sumter were going into Battle and Sumter backed out at the last minute. Lee and Marion wrote a letter to Nathaniel Greene and reported Gen. Sumter’s conduct and pledged to never support Gen Sumter in the future..
I went to the “Free search” on RevWarapps. I typed in Juniper Springs. Two pages of names came up. But, those are obviously people who lived. I do not know about the ones who died. I’d be interested to know if you find anything.
As far as Sumter, Swinton, Lee and Marion….I’m cautious in second guessing motives. The historical perspective has been that Marion did not like Sumter because he was too liberal with his men’s lives. The recent conversations with those men who have transcribed the Marion papers leads me to believe there is more to the story. Rick Wise suggests that Marion and Sumter were closer than previously thought.
If by backing out, you suggest he was less than heroic, I am not about to call Sumter a coward. He was fighting Indians, British, loyalists throughout most of the conflict, while at the same time dealing with internal political strife from the Continental and State hierarchy. He was burned out, elected a leader by refugee warriors, became a wall of resistance against the British and was shot at least twice in battle. His forces killed, captured or defeated Christian Huck, Wemyss, Bryan, Cary, Tarleton, and others. You will also find his men at Kings Mountain and Eutaw Springs…and though he was not at those engagements, his men stayed together as a unit–which says something about the leadeship he provided.
Say what you will, he didn’t take parole like others–including the likes of Pickens and Williamson. When other Patriot leaders could only bring hundreds of men to the fight, Sumter brought thousands.
As far as the Quinby bridge and Shubrick’s plantation actions, something happened, obviously. I have thought that maybe Sumter was reaching the end of his fighting days, like Daniel Morgan after Cowpens. I find myself hesitant to cast blame. They are all heroes. They were also, all human.
If you find more to the story, I’m all ears. Freedom Reigns!
I am looking to see if there is available the names of Patriots who died and are
buried at the Juniper Springs Battlefield. A life long friend Buddington Heyward Parker has a descendant of his that is buried at the site. Samuel either Mac or Mc Waters one of two brothers in the engagement. Looking to confirm this information.
My ancestor, first to come to South Carolina, William Swinton was the Royal Surveyor for King Georgetown that founded Georgetown along with Perceval Pawley and William Screven. Alexander and Thomas Swinton were William Swinton sons that fought with Francis Marion. Alexander Swinton was Marion’s Brigade Major (Chief of Staff) that was wounded at the Battle of Quinby Bridge. Light Horse Harry Lee and Marion along with Thomas Sumter were going into Battle and Sumter backed out at the last minute. Lee and Marion wrote a letter to Nathaniel Greene and reported Gen. Sumter’s conduct and pledged to never support Gen Sumter in the future..
As far as your ancestry, Oh my gosh! What a great pedigree. I often remark that I am envious of that kind of heritage! I know you are proud. Individual freedom in the world today is very much a product of the revolutioanry actions of men like your forefather. Individual freedoms prior to the American Revolutionary war was not thought of from a governmental standpoint. It was revolutionary! Freedom Reigns!