Durant Ashmore has lived in Greenville County, South Carolina for his entire life. His family is Seventh Generation Greenville County, since 1787. He has ancestors who has fought on both sides of the Revolutionary War, and the research into his family’s past has sparked his interest in the time of the Revolutionary War and the history that has happened in Backcountry of South Carolina.
Durant is a professional nurseryman and landscape designer. He also gives lectures on the history the Revolutionary War, as well as hosts field trips to various locations that historical events have taken place. This collection of maps have been gathered from lectures and social media posts, and are shared here with permission.
This is from a recent autobiography/introduction to Durant:
I’ve been asked to introduce myself, and I will do so.
I am Durant Ashmore, and I live in southern Greenville County, in the Upstate of South Carolina. I live within 50 miles of 100 Revolutionary War battlefields.
My specialty is the Revolutionary War history of the Ninety Six District, which consists of 10 present day western counties in SC. I am the caretaker of Ft. Rutledge on the Clemson Campus, the Battle of the Great Cane Brake in southern Greenville County, Ft. Lindley, Hammond’s Old Store and Hayes Station in Laurens County and I’m a helper at Ft. Thicketty in Cherokee County.
I give monthly lectures at the Laurens County Museum, bi monthly lectures for the SAR in Simpsonville, and I give regular lectures at the museums and libraries in the surrounding counties.
I also lead tours and field trips once or twice a month to many of the smaller (but important) battlefields throughout the area. I also lead tours of Kings Mountain every January, Cowpens in February and Ninety Six in March.
I am a member of the Laurens County 250 Committee. Laurens County has an incredible Rev War history, and we are sharing that story. The battles of Ft. Lindley, Musgrove Mill, Hammond’s Old Store, Ft Williams, Mudlick Creek, Ft Ridgeway and Hayes Station all occurred in Laurens County.
Loyalist General Robert Cunningham, Patriot General James Williams (they were neighbors) and the notorious Maj. William (Bloody Bill) Cunningham were from Laurens County, as well as teen age heroine Dicey Langston.
We are developing a driving tour with interpretation at all of these sites. We are halfway there, and will be fully functional by July 4, 2026.
Follow my Facebook page for more information, particularly for field trips and lectures. Everything I do is on a voluntary basis, and there is no charge for these activities, other than nominal fees at some particular locations.
The Map Collection
Hammonds Old Store – Updated
I have revised my Hammond’s Old Store Map based on the archaeological study by Dan Elliot. Any mistakes should be attributed to me, and not Dan.
This battlefield is in Laurens County, SC, 3 miles south of Clinton. While the general location of the battlefield has been known for a while, the actual battlefield was only discovered 5 years ago. John Allison and his excellent field research team located the site, and Dan Elliott with the Lamar Institute followed up with a detailed archaeological study.
The location of the store was firmly established. Also, the presence of blacksmithing was located. A corn crib was noted in the historical accounts.
One feature that Dan noted was evidence of a colonial road where the modern logging road is. This site has been a loblolly pine forest for the past 60-70 years, with significant impact from logging and replanting about 30 years ago. We know now that an “island” was created between the Colonial road to Ninety Six and the Colonial access road.
The Colonial road to Ninety Six is one of the finest examples of a colonial road in the state. It is 30’ deep. At the top it is 50’ wide, and the roadbed at the bottom is 25’ wide. Ferguson marched down this road on his way to Kings Mountain.
In the battle itself, Lt Col. William Washington and his 80 men of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons left from Daniel Morgan’s camp at Grindal Shoals on Dec. 29, 1780 in pursuit of a group of 250 plundering Tories. Accompanying Lt. Col. Washington were 200 mounted militia riflemen led by Lt. Col. James McCall.
Washington and his men caught the Tories as they were resting for a noonday meal. When Washington saw the resting Tories as he crested the hill opposite thd Bush River, he drew his sword, gave a shout and charged down the hill into the midst of his unprepared foe. His men were primarily armed with swords, and swords only.
As Washington was charging from about 200 yards away, the riflemen were spreading out on the flanks. They fired a volley into the Loyalist ranks, and as soon as that volley hit, Washington’s cavalry was in amongst the Tories, hacking and slashing as they went.
Of those 250 Tories, 150 were killed or wounded, 40 were captured and 60 escaped to fight at the Battle of Ft. Williams the next day when 8 more were killed. There were 0 Patriot casualties.
This battle is a clear illustration of the civil war that occurred in the S.C. Backcountry. It was neighbor against neighbor. The Little River Patriot and Loyalist militias, the Spartan Patriot and Loyalist militias and the Lower Ninety Six
Patriot and Loyalist militias were involved.
Also, this battle occurred 18 days before Cowpens. As a result, 1,000 “spirited up” Patriot militiamen came in to join Daniel Morgan’s camp. Only 50 dispirited Loyalist militiamen answered Tarleton’s call.
John Allison’s team recovered over 40 rifle balls, musket balls and buckshot. Many buttons and buckles were found, as well as all other artifacts associated with a Revolutionary War battle. Dan Elliot found over 130 wrought iron nails which clearly identified the store location. He also found artillery shell fragments. Since no cannons were present at the battle, these fragments must have come from hand grenades.
Today, this 30 acre site is the property of the South Carolina Battlefield Preservation Trust. It is on the South Carolina Liberty Trail and the Laurens County 250 Committee Driving Tour. Due to delays caused by Hurricane Helene damage, it is presently under construction for full access and interpretive displays.
Fall of Charleston 12/30/1778
The Fall of Charleston was the greatest defeat of Americans forces in the Revolutionary War. It changed everything. It was “The World Turned Upside Down”.
Until May, 12, 1780, the war in South Carolina was the American Period. It was a true civil war with neighbor fighting neighbor. The British Period began after Charleston fell. This is the time when South Carolina felt the full brunt of British Oppression.
Marion and Lee Attack Georgetown 7/24/1781
January 24, 1781:
Marion attacks Georgetown…..again.
Francis Marion really had it in for Georgetown. He wasn’t at Kings Mountain and he wasn’t at Cowpens. Why? Because he was attacking Georgetown!
And, because Marion was attacking Georgetown, valuable British men and resources weren’t at Kings Mountain or Cowpens, either.
Nathanael Greene knew the value of Marion attacking Georgetown. When Greene was sent south by George Washington with the third Continental army tasked with saving South Carolina, Greene divided his army. He sent Daniel Morgan into the Carolina backcountry. Greene then sent America’s best cavalry under William Washington to join with Morgan. And, Nathanael Greene sent America’s best fighting legion to join up with Francis Marion – to attack Georgetown!
Lt. Col. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee arrived at Lt. Col. Francis Marion’s secret hideaway on Snow’s Island on Jan 22, 1781. The two Lt. Cols. took an immediate liking to each other and quickly resolved any conflicting command issues. It was acknowledged that Marion was the senior officer.
By the next day, Marion’s 3rd attack on Georgetown was underway.
The plan was to divide forces and attack Georgetown from the seaward and landward sides. Lee’s 90 stalwart infantrymen boarded flatboats and floated 30 miles down the Peedee River. They arrived close to the Georgetown waterfront and hid out til nightfall.
Marion with about 100 mounted militiamen and Lee with about 150 cavalry approached Georgetown on the Black River Rd. The plan was to attack during the night when both forces were in place. However, Marion and Lee were late.
By 4am Lee’s infantry had seen no sign of Lee and Marion, and time was running out. The infantrymen didn’t want to attack during daylight. They began the attack by capturing outlying private domiciles.
The British had almost 400 Provencials (Americans fighting for the British) garrisoned in Georgetown. The main defense was a formidable brick jail surrounded by an earthen redoubt. There was an adjoining open parade ground. The soldiers were housed in the brick jail (fort), a barracks and in private homes.
The initial action was the silent capture of the unpopular Lt. Col. Charles Campbell who was most likely staying at the extant house at 222 Broad St. He was paroled and eventually made his way back to Charleston.
The next action occurred at the inn located at 719 Prince St. Maj. Matthew Irvine and Adj. John Crookshank were roused from their peaceful slumber. Maj. Irvine tried to escape and was bayoneted to death by Lt. James Cryer. Lt. Cryer had a serious grudge against Matthew Irvine. Earlier in the war, Irvine had ordered Cryer to receive 500 lashes.
Adj. Crookshank was spared. The naked daughter of the innkeeper draped her arms around his neck and pleaded for his life.
The element of surprise was now lost. Marion and Lee arrived on the scene and were surprised to find no Provencials anywhere. The troops remained boarded up in their barracks, the jail and the private homes.
The plan was to surprise the garrison and attack them as they ran across the parade ground to the shelter of the jail. The Patriots thought that surely some soldiers would come to the defense of Lt. Col. Campbell. It’s possible, however, that some soldiers were not overly disappointed that Campbell was captured.
As day broke Marion and Lee looked at the fortified jail and the open parade ground and decided that the position was too strong to assault. They had suffered 1 dead. The Provencials had suffered 1 dead officer and 3 officers captured. Marion and Lee retreated to fight another day.
On June 6, 1781 the British abandoned Georgetown as their fortunes in South Carolina continued to decline. On Francis Marion’s 4th attempt to take Georgetown, he was able to waltz right in.
Savannah 12/29/1778
When Savannah fell on Dec 30, 1778, it was a portent of looming disaster. Loyalists were invigorated and began to come out of the woodwork. Serious battles reaching into the Backcountry erupted all along the Savannah River corridor.
Charleston fell 15 months later as a direct result of what happened at Savannah. A two and a half year period of calm in the south evaporated. The center of the Revolutionary War was now focused on the south with unrelenting fury.
The Snow Campaign Nov/Dec 1775
The Snow Campaign occurred 7 months before the Declaration of Independence and 7 months after Lexington and Concord.
It was part of the first stage of the civil war that occurred in South Carolina during the American Revolution. It was a corresponding action to the 1st Siege of Ninety Six, where the first land battle in the south was fought. The Snow Campaign led to Loyalist suppression in S.C. for the next two and a half years.
The climax of this campaign occurred at the Battle of the Great Cane Brake. In this battle Maj. William “Danger” Thomson led a flying column of 1300 men from Hollingsworth Mill to attack Loyalist Capt. Patrick Cunningham with 200 men who were hiding in Cherokee Territory with stolen shot and gunpowder.
As soon as the battle ended the largest snowfall to ever occur in the S.C. Backcountry began to fall. Reports range from 18-30”. For the next two weeks 130 bound and mostly barefoot prisoners were marched to Charleston, sleeping on snow covered ground. The last hour and a half of the 30 hour snowfall was a blinding sleet.
4 Battles in 5 Days – Spartanburg County July 1780
4 Battles in 5 Days in Spartanburg County that Pushed British Lines Back 40 Miles
July 12, 1780 (two months after Charleston fell) was a momentous date in South Carolina history. On that day Christian Huck and his plundering Provincials were soundly defeated by local militiamen at Williamson’s Plantation. Provincials were American soldiers trained and outfitted by the British army. This is the first instance of local militia defeating these Provincials. It would not be the last.
Also occurring on July 12, 1780 was the Battle of Cedar Spring. This is the battle where heroic Jane Black Thomas rode 60 miles to warn her son of an impending attack. The ambush that John Thomas, Jr. set up killed 30 or so of the attacking force.
On July 13 the Loyalist survivors of Cedar Spring were captured and paroled at Ft. Gowan.
On July 14 Charles McDowell’s camp in the S.C./NC border was attacked at Earles Ford by Provincials and Loyalist militiamen from Ft. Prince. McDowell had 8 men killed in this Loyalist victory.
On July 15 Patriot Edward Hampton caught up with the attackers from Ft. Prince and killed 8 at Shiloh Church.
On July 16 the British abandoned Ft. Prince, never to return.
These 5 battles piqued the interest of Isaac Shelby and his Overmountain Men, and 60 of them came into Charles McDowell’s camp on July 25.
On July 26 Isaac Shelby and others captured Ft. Thicketty.
On August 8 Isaac Shelby (and others) engaged in a running gun battle with Patrick Ferguson at the 2nd Battle of Cedar Spring.
On Aug 16 Isaac Shelby, Elijah Clarke and James Williams with200 men defeated 500 Loyalist militiamen and Provincials at Musgrove Mill.
After Musgrove Mill there was not a single Patriot setback other than Benedict Arnold burning Richmond in the Yorktown Campaign. This includes Greene’s tactical defeats, which were all strategic victories leading to British retreats.
Musgrove Mill was the turning point in the Southern Campaign.
Battle of Blackstocks 11/20/1780
Elijah Clark Battles and Campaigns
South Carolina Tribes – 1776
SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES – CIRCA 1776
Here is a map of South Carolina Native American Tribes during the time of the Revolutionary War. Keep in mind that several tribes were previously defeated and passed from existence (like the Westo) or were defeated and moved away (like the Yamassee). And, several more modern day tribes are now headquartered in South Carolina.
There were 3 language families of tribes in SC. The Cherokees were Iroquois based, the Catawbas and associated tribes were Sioux based and the remaining tribes were Muskogean. On this map, the Cherokees are denoted in red, the Catawbas in dark blue and the Muskogeans in green. The different language families were basically enemies with each other.
The Muskogean tribes along the coast were a very loosely associated group that declined rapidly. They did not organize and cooperate with each other. The Westo war of 1680 and the Yemmassee War of 1715 squashed their effectiveness to challenge European expansion. Also, by 1776, European diseases had decimated 90% of the Native American population. By the time of the Revolutionary War, the Cusabo, the Coosa and the Yuchi were mostly non existent.
The Catawbas enjoyed very good relations with the European settlers. The Catawbas were bitter enemies with the Cherokees, and whenever the British or the Patriots went to war with the Cherokees, the Catawbas were more than happy to enter the fray.
Because of their aid serving the British as guides against the Cherokees in the French and Indian War, in 1763 the Catawbas were given a 15×15 mile reservation on the NC/SC border.
During the Revolutionary War the Catawbas provided very valuable aid to the Patriot cause. They again served as guides during the Cherokee War of 1776, and an entire company of Catawbas (about 50 men) fought with Francis Marion.
At 16,000 inhabitants, the Cherokees were the largest tribe in the southeast. There were 16 Cherokee Lower towns in Pickens and Oconee Counties which contained perhaps 5,000 inhabitants.
The 3 treaties regarding Cherokee Territory in SC are shown on the map. The Treaty of Saluda eventually became the Ninety Six District. By convention, the terms of this treaty evolved into a shipment of shot and powder to the Cherokees every fall for their winter hunt. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement since the Cherokees provided 50,000 deerskins a year to British merchants. The Treaty of Saluda lasted for 22 years. From 1755-1777 the Ninety Six District was the Frontier of America.
After the Cherokee War of 1776, the western counties of Greenville, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee Counties were ceded to the Patriot government in 1777. The westernmost sliver of SC was sold by the Cherokees for $5 million dollars in 1816.
The Cherokees had a complicated relationship with the British Colonial Government. The British decimated the Cherokees in the 1st Cherokee War (the Anglo-Cherokee War – 1758-1761), but the Cherokees were British allies in the 2nd Cherokee war (the Cherokee War of 1776). In that war, the Cherokees were decimated by the Patriots.
In the backcountry of South Carolina, the primary impetus for Revolution was not the overthrow of oppressive British policies. That’s why Boston rebelled. In the SC backcountry the issue was the policy towards the Cherokees. The British Colonial government failed in this regard. They did not see the need to provide the necessary security.
A king 3,000 miles away, or even his appointed Governor, was hopelessly out of touch. It was time for government by the people, for the people.
12/10/2023 – Durant Ashmore
Backcountry Battles
South Carolina Revolutionary War Forts
Buford’s Massacre 5/29/1780
Hanging Rock 8/6/1780
Battle of Camden 8/16/1780
Rocky Mount – 7/30/1780
Isaac Shelby in South Carolina
Tarleton In South Carolina
Hammond’s Old Store – 12/30/1780
On Dec 30, 1780, (18 days before Cowpens), Lt Col. William Washington and 85 light dragoons, along with 200 local mounted militia riflemen, attacked 250 Tories who were camped for a noon day meal at Hammond’s Store. 100 Tories were killed, 50 wounded, 40 captured and the rest escaped. There were no Patriot casualties.
7/28/2022 – Durant Ashmore
Cowpens – 1/17/1781
Andrew Pickens
Revolutionary War Battles
Guilford Courthouse – 3/15/1781
This is a sketch of the cavalry actions at Guilford Courthouse.
The premier cavalry leaders in the Revolutionary War (Banastre Tarleton, William Washington and Light Horse Harry Lee) all fought here.
8//22/2023 – Durant Ashmore
Weitzel’s Mill – 3/16/1781
WEITZEL’S MILL – THE DAY THE SC MILITIA GOT HUNG OUT TO DRY…..
Col. Otho Holland Williams was a damn good officer. And, he followed Gen. Nathanael Greene’s orders well.
On Feb 14, 1781, Nathanael Greene won the Race to the Dan when he crossed that fateful river on the NC-Virginia border and left Cornwallis in his wake. A primary reason for Greene’s success was the brilliant screening maneuvers that Col. Williams performed as Greene retreated. Using 1/4 of Greene’s army, Col. Williams led the 1st and 2nd Maryland Regiments, William Washington’s 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, Light Horse Harry Lee’s Legion, and the SC and NC militia led by Gen. Andrew Pickens.
After 10 days of fine eating and resupplying his weary army, Greene recrossed the Dan on Feb 24 and sought out Cornwallis for a fight.
Probing to find Cornwallis’ position, Col Williams sent a force of 700 men across the Haw River and then Reedy Fork Creek, one of its tributaries.
As Col. Williams command crossed Reedy Fork Creek, it now had two bodies of water close behind him.
Banastre Tarleton was also probing for Greene’s position, and on March 6, 1781, Tarleton came upon Williams forces. Traveling with Tarleton’s Legion on that day were the 23rd and 33rd Regiments of Foot, Cornwallis’ favorite battle hardened regiments. Tarleton’s forces numbered 1,000 men.
General Greene had ordered Col. Williams to protect the Maryland Regiments at all cost. These regiments were the flower of Greene’s command, and he didn’t want them caught midstride across some muddy North Carolina creek.
Col. Williams quickly had the Maryland regiments cross the creek ford. He marched them out of harm’s way. The Virginia militia, armed with their rifles, was deployed on the high ground in a covering position. Col. William Washington and his dragoons covered one flank, and Light Horse Harry Lee and his legion covered the other.
The militia under Pickens was left on the far side of the creek, facing the full brunt of Tarleton’s 1,000 men.
Two months earlier, the South Carolina militia had performed with extreme heroism under Andrew Pickens’ command at Cowpens. Pickens was so highly regarded after that battle that he was immediately promoted to general.
After Cowpens, the SC militia joined Greene in his race, and was used on Greene’s western flank to guard the 600 British regulars that were captured, and also as part of Col. Williams screening force. This was a very difficult assignment, as the SC militia slogged through muddy NC rutted roads for two months, getting farther and farther from their homes.
Furthermore, after NC militia Gen. William Davidson was killed at Cowan’s Ford on Feb 1, Andrew Pickens was given the additional temporary command of his troops. Andrew Pickens described the NC militia as the worst men he had ever commanded, and they deserted in droves.
Soooo……..what was the problem with leaving the SC militia as a rear guard at the ford over Reedy Fork Creek? Someone had to cross first, and someone had to be a rear guard. Why not the SC militia?
The reason for the problem lies in the weaponry. The SC militia was armed with hunting rifles. These rifles were accurate to 200 yards away, and were excellent to use as sniper rifles. The problem was, however, the rifles required 60 seconds to load and fire. Banastre Tarleton could easily cover 200 yards in 60 seconds. The SC rifles could fire once, and then they were done. After that initial fire, militiamen were defenseless against charging horsemen. Rifles could not be fitted with a bayonet.
That’s why troops bearing muskets were best to use as a rear guard. Muskets were only accurate to about 80 yards, but they could be fired every 20 seconds. And, they could be fitted with bayonets. Muskets were much better equipped to withstand a charging enemy.
In addition, with rifles deployed behind the muskets, they would still be effective with their greater range. This was the reason for deploying the Virginia militia on the high ground across the creek.
As the opposing sides came into view, a tremendous roar of gunfire erupted. The smoke was so dense the river crossing became invisible. The smoke and the Virginia riflemen allowed the SC militia to escape, but 8 men were killed and an untold number were wounded. Some men drowned. Tarleton lost 30 men killed or wounded.
Andrew Pickens was also a damn good officer. He was furious after the battle, and complained to Gen. Greene. Besides complaining about the sacrifice of his troops, he pointed out that the backcountry of South Carolina was defenseless with the militia’s absence. The British post at Ninety Six was wreaking havoc on militia families. Nathanael Greene realized this and gave Pickens and his men permission to return home.
This battle (or skirmish, to some) is referred to as the Battle of Weitzel’s Mill. It was the last battle before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, which occurred 9 days afterwards.
8/6/2023 – Durant Ashmore
Ninety-Six – May – June 1781
1755-1772 Boundaries
Important Carolina Towns and Battles 1780-1781
Laurens County Battlefields
Noted Laurens County Patriots vs Loyalists
Laurens County vs Laurens County
1/3 of the population of the Little River District (present day Laurens County) was ardent Patriot. 1/3 of the population was ardent Loyalist. The other 1/3 didn’t care, just wanted to be left alone or joined up with whomever they thought would win at the time.
Patriot General James Williams was from Laurens County. So was Loyalist General Robert Cunningham. These men were neighbors, and they were bitter enemies. In fact, the Williams-Cunningham feud was the deadliest feud in state history and made the better known Hatfield-McCoy feud pale in comparison.
While the Little River regiments (both sides) fought in over 50 of the most significant battles in the south, 11 of these battles involved these neighbors in direct combat against each other. How neighbor fought neighbor determined the ultimate outcome of our American Independence.
8/10/2024 Durant Ashmore
Five Battles
Francis Marion Significant Battles- August 1781
August 25, 1780 – August 30, 1781
Marion’s Bridges Campaign – March 1781
March 8, 1782 – March 20 1781
“From Hunted to Hound”
Francis Marion‘s Greatest Victory – 8/30/1781
The Battle of Parker’s Ferry
Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock, and Associated Battles – 1780
“THE BLOODY SUMMER OF 1780”
Charleston fell to the British on May 12, 1780. In quick succession they established forts at Georgetown, Camden, Ninety Six and Augusta. From these forts they issued raids and plundering missions throughout the state.
Slowly and gradually, the Patriot forces pushed back. Numerous small victories were starting to add up.
Then, disaster struck. The Battle of Camden was a debacle and Fishing Creek was a disaster two days later. This was the lowest point of South Carolina Patriot fortunes. Now, the slow and deadly path to victory had to begin all over again.
Many of these events occurred along the Catawba and Wateree River Corridor.
