Battle of the Combahee River
- Battle of the Combahee River
The Battle of the Combahee River was a skirmish of the American Revolutionary War fought on April 27, 1782, near Charleston, South Carolina, one of many such unimportant confrontations to occur before the British evacuated Charleston in December 1782. Its only claim to fame is the death of 27-year-old Colonel John Laurens, “one of the bravest and most gallant of the American officers.” [Ward pg 842]
British forces had essentially been under siege in Charleston since late 1781, due to the activity of General Nathaniel Greene’s forces in the area. In March 1782, General Alexander Leslie requested a truce and permission to purchase food for his garrison and for the inhabitants of the city. After Greene refused, General Leslie announced his intention to resume his armed forays to seize provisions by force. Greene created a light brigade of infantry and some cavalry under the command of General Mordecai Gist of Maryland to oppose such forays.
After a month of no activity, a confrontation took place between a strong foraging force from Charleston and Gist’s forces, at Cheraw Point, where Gist had placed a howitzer and its support troops. The British had landed 300 men, taken the gun and its men captive, and prepared an ambush.. Laurens was the first to arrive, with a battalion of Continental Regulars from Delaware. A volley from the British killed Laurens and one of his men, and wounded nineteen others. The rest fled back to Gist’s main force.
Gist was unable to attack, due to the strength of the British forces, and of their position, and withdrew. The foragers then continued their search for provisions.
Notes
References
* Ward, Christopher "The War of the Revolution" the Macmillan Company 1952
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