Wednesday, September 12 (7:00pm) – Saturday, September 15, 2018 (5:00pm)
Tour Leaders: Edward G. Lengel
HQ: Rockhill, South Carolina
Tour Registration: $495
The year 1780 was a pivotal turning point in British strategy as London renewed its effort to crush the American rebellion. The British high command decided to concentrate its efforts in the Southern colonies, where reinforcements from the local Loyalist population was much anticipated. Charleston was captured in May, bagging an American army of 5,000 men. Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates’ army was routed at Camden in August. Lt. Gen Charles Lord Cornwallis thought the war should move north to Virginia, a source of men and supplies for the Rebels. Cornwallis’s strategy would trigger the battles of Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse in late 1780 and early 1781.
At our opening “meet and greet” on Wednesday evening, Ed Lengel will provide a brief lecture on the August 16, 1780 Battle of Camden, which shattered—for a time, at least—the military reputation of General Horatio Gates and seemed to forever destroy patriot hopes in the Carolinas. As our bus departs the following morning, Ed will set the stage for the unlikely series of battles that completely reversed the course of war in the south.
On Day One we explore some lesser known but nonetheless important battle sites from the late summer and autumn of 1780 that began to turn the tide. Our day begins at Musgrove’s Mill. In August 1780 this site formed an important loyalist redoubt. Not yet aware of the Camden defeat, patriot militiamen from Georgia and South Carolina joined Tennessee Over Mountain Men under Colonel Isaac Shelby to try and capture the redoubt. On August 19, the patriots lured loyalist forces away from Musgrove’s Mill and dealt them a stinging defeat. Next, we proceed to Fishdam Ford, where British redcoats under Major James Wemyss attempted a surprise attack against General Thomas Sumter’s South Carolinians on the early morning of November 9, 1780. American victory here boosted patriot recruiting throughout the south. Next, we visit Blackstock’s Plantation battlefield, where on November 20 Sumter followed up his victory at Fishdam with a stunning victory over Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, but left the field severely wounded.
On Day Two, we follow the road to the battle that cast its shadow over Fishdam Ford and Blackstock’s: The Battle of Kings Mountain. In the morning we follow traces of the Overmountain Victory Trail, operated by the National Park Service, stopping at beautiful Lake Whelchel for refreshments and a discussion of the rare convergence of forces that contributed to the patriot victory. Next we travel to Kings Mountain National Military Park, for an in-depth study of this vital clash on October 7, 1780, that effectively destroyed loyalist strength in the Carolinas and ended the life of Major Patrick Ferguson.
Day Three focuses on the climactic Battle of Cowpens. We spend the entire day studying the battle at Cowpens National Battlefield—a field that is usually given only passing attention in larger-scale tours but which richly awards close attention. We begin by tracing Daniel Morgan’s rapid retreat before Tarleton’s advancing forces from Grindal Shoals to Burr’s Mill and finally Cowpens, and then survey the patriot forces (now including militia under Andrew Pickens) and get “the lay of the land.” Next, we walk in the footsteps of Tarleton as he began his advance in the early morning of January 17, 1781 at the Green River Road and continued across the field—absorbing a crashing charge by William Washington’s cavalry before succumbing to the classic double envelopment that proved to be the decisive action of the war in the south.
What’s included: motor coach transportation, three lunches, beverage and snack breaks, a map and materials package, all admissions and gratuities, and the services of an experienced tour guide-historian. Tour participants are responsible for transportation to the headquarters hotel, and securing a room reservation, if necessary. Dinner is on your own. Tour goes out rain or shine. Please see our policy page for information about cancellation.
Hotel: PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE IN OUR HQ HOTEL. The original HQ hotel we had reserved is under construction, but will not be ready for the dates of our tour, so we have changed hotels. The new hotel will provide the same group rate of $115.95 per night plus tax (double or single occupancy) which includes a hot and cold buffet breakfast. We will be now be staying at the Home 2 Suites Hilton, 1285 Old Springdale Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730. To make a reservation, please call 803-980-6000 and tell them you are with America’s History’s September tour. This rate is guaranteed until August 12, 2018. If you have any problems, please contact Bruce Venter at 703-785-4373.
Our Tour Guide/Historians:
Dr. Edward G. Lengel is an independent historian who was director and editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington Project and a history professor at the University of Virginia. He also served as chief historian at the White House Historical Association. He is an award-winning author of four books on George Washington including the critically acclaimed General George Washington: A Military Biography. His forthcoming book is a biography of “Light Horse Harry” Lee. He is a much sought after lecturer and tour guide. Ed is also the author of several books on World War I, including To Conquer Hell, Thunder and Flames and the soon to be released Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion.
Register Online
Tour Registration – $495.00
Register by phone, e-mail or postal mail:
- Phone: 1-703-785-4373
- Email us at: info@AmericasHistoryLLC.com
- Postal mail: America’s History LLC, P. O. Box 1076, Goochland, VA 23063
Visa, Master Card and Discover accepted. We take checks too!
Blackstock Plantation is currently closed, according to the SC Parks Department.
Historic Brattonsville — site of the Battle of Huck’s Defeat — is less than a half-hour away from Rock Hill (and is on the way to Musgrove Mill). We visited Brattonsville just last week during Spring Break.
Probably worth a quick side trip.
I would like to register for the Loyalists vs Patriots tour. Have completed the Green Sheet at the 7th Annual Conference. Would like to complete the process with a firm commitment. Left a message with my phone number. Thanks.
May I suggest that The Buford Massacre, aka Battle of Waxhaws, May 29, 1780, be included in this program? It was a pivotal battle, coining the recruiters’ rallying cry “Remember Tarleton’s Quarter”. The Buford Massacre was a defining moment for many frontier settlers who remained neutral.