Battle of Coosawhatchie (1779)

Front: Near here is the site of a 1779 American Revolutionary War battle. On Apr. 30, 1,200 Patriot soldiers under Gen. William Moultrie arrived at Coosawhatchie. On May 1, they moved several miles to a more defensible position at Tulifinny Hill across the Coosawhatchie River. A rearguard of 100 remained at the river to watch for Gen. Augustine Prevost’s command of 2,400 British and Loyalist troops. Reverse: On May 3, Moultrie sent 350 men under Col. John Laurens to retrieve the rearguard to help hold position at the hill. Against orders, Laurens engaged Prevost at the river despite being outnumbered and exposed. The detachment suffered a number of casulaties, including Laurens, eventually withdrew. The loss forced Moultrie’s retreat and helped secure British control over the Lowcountry.