Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

After it’s capture in 1780, Camden became one of the most important hubs of the British war effort in the southern states. Because of it’s location along the Wateree River, it was the ideal spot for a supply post directing equipment and soldiers throughout the Carolina back country.

Along with Camden’s use as a supply depot, it also served as a pensioner of war camp. Approximately 250 prisoners were held here including a 13 year old Andrew Jackson who was taken captive after stubbornly refusing to clean a British officer’s boots.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site - an informational signboard titled “Camden - Strategic Key” in a park setting. The signboard is located at the beginning of a dirt path that leads towards a white building in the distance. The path is bordered by a wooden fence on the right, and the area is surrounded by grass and scattered trees under a clear blue sky. This suggests the location could be a historical site or outdoor museum.
Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site – Reproduction town wall with Kershaw/Cornwallis in the distance.

On August 16, 1780, Patriot forces under command of General Horatio Gates attempted to liberate the town from British control. That battle took place 8 miles north of the settlement and resulted in a humiliating defeat for Gates.

Visiting Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

When you visit the colonial town of Camden you’ll find that the original has been lost to war and fire over the more than 240 years since the Battle and occupation. However, archaeologists have determined where the town once stood and what it may have looked like. The site today is a 107 acre open aired museum that contains representative buildings of the colonial era and rebuilt fortifications. Even though none of the buildings on the site are original, most are historical themselves dating from just after the American Revolution up to the mid 1800’s.

Kershaw-Cornwallis House

Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House - A serene view from a shaded porch with white columns and railings, overlooking a sunny garden with a well-manicured lawn, small bushes, flowering plants, and a traditional black lamp post. The garden is bordered by taller trees and shrubs, under a vibrant blue sky with scattered fluffy white clouds. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and natural beauty. No people are visible in the image.
Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House View from Back Porch

The Kershaw-Cornwallis House that stands here today is a reproduction of the original two story Georgian house built by Camden’s founder Joseph Kershaw. During British occupation it served as the headquarters of Lord Charles Cornwallis when he was in Camden as well as that of his appointed administrator Francis Rawdon.

While the house did survive the Revolution, it burned down during the Civil War. In the 1970’s archaeologists uncovered its original foundations and with the help of photographs and historical descriptions, they were able to painstakingly rebuild the Kershaw-Cornwallis to its original specifications. Today’s Kershaw-Cornwallis House still keeps watch over the grassy field once used as a parade ground for occupying British soldiers. Inside you’ll find a museum with lots of period artifacts, most discovered at the Camden site itself.

Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House - A serene scene featuring a grand two-story white house with a gray roof and multiple windows stands prominently in the background. The house is surrounded by a vast expanse of lush green lawn, stretching out under a clear blue sky adorned with scattered clouds. In the foreground, a curving dirt path leads toward the house, emphasizing its remote and tranquil setting.
Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House From Across the Common

Other Historic Structures

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Additional Buildings - a quaint, white wooden house with a gabled roof and a brick chimney, nestled in a clearing surrounded by lush green trees. The house has a welcoming front porch with steps leading up to a central white door, which is flanked by two windows. In front of the house, there’s an unpainted wooden bench on the left and a metal bench on the right. The ground is sandy with patches of grass, and the sky above is partly cloudy. The image evokes a sense of historical significance and rural charm.
The Craven House built in 1789 is one of the oldest structures at the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site.

While none of the original homes of Old Camden remain standing today, many historical homes from the area have been relocated to the Revolutionary War Site to show the town as it was in 1780.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Additional Buildings - a small, white building with a gabled roof and a central front door flanked by two windows. A sign above the door reads “Office & Gift Shop.” The building is approached by a straight, red brick pathway leading from the foreground to the entrance. An American flag hangs on a pole to the right of the door. The setting is rural with green trees visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. There’s an expanse of grass on either side of the path, and to the left, there appears to be remnants of an old tree trunk lying on the ground. The scene conveys a serene and welcoming atmosphere typically found at historical or park sites
Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Office and Gift Shop is locate din the Cunningham House built in 1835.

The Cunningham House, originally built in 1830, houses the site office and gift shop. Nearby, the oldest house at the site, the John Craven House house, built in 1785, today houses a rotating exhibit detailing life in the colony. Across the road, the McCaa House, built around 1800, has been restored and furnished to represent the local tavern.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Additional Buildings- a traditional single-story house with white wooden siding and a gabled roof. A set of stairs leads up to a front porch, which features two white columns supporting an overhang and a centered front door flanked by two windows. A circular decoration hangs on the door. The house is surrounded by a well-kept lawn with several large trees providing shade, and there’s a clear blue sky with wispy clouds above. To the left of the house, there’s an unpaved road or driveway curving slightly as it approaches the foreground. The image evokes a sense of tranquility and nostalgia for simpler times. The house could be of historical or architectural interest due to its classic design and setting in what appears to be a rural area.
McCaa House dating to the turn of the 19th Century is re imagined as a tavern at Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site.

On the backside of the site, there are two additional log homes built around 1800 that represent the local homesteaders who lived just outside the town.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Additional Buildings - a rustic, wooden cabin with a prominent stone chimney on its right side. The cabin features weathered wooden planks and a small porch with stairs leading up to the entrance. It is situated in the center of a well-manicured lawn with lush green grass under a clear blue sky dotted with sparse white clouds. The scene conveys a sense of historical simplicity and rural charm. This old wooden cabin might be interesting due to its historical architecture, representing a bygone era or lifestyle. It could also be significant for cultural studies, history, or architectural purposes.
Drakeford House dating to 1812 is one of several homes depicting life in the 19th Century.

Rebuilt Defenses and Displays

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site - an outdoor scene at a historical site. A weathered wooden picket fence encloses an area on the left. In front of the fence, there is a large informational sign with text and images, alongside a smaller sign mounted on an angled stand. A picnic table sits in the foreground on grassy ground, inviting visitors to rest and enjoy the surroundings. The sky is clear and blue, and there are trees and buildings in the distance under the bright daylight. The setting suggests a park or outdoor museum, with potential historical significance indicated by the informational signage.
Partial reconstruction of the palisade wall that once protected the colonial town of Camden.

One of Francis Rawdon’s main responsibilities was to provide for the defense of the British garrison stationed at Camden. To do this he built fortifications around the town. Unfortunately like much of our history, those fortifications have been lost to time. But experts have been able to rebuild examples of the fortifications used at the time. Redoubts, or earthen fortifications designed to protect troops and assets outside the main town walls. were rebuilt near the Kershaw-Cornwallis House.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Fortifications - a grassy field under a clear blue sky with sparse clouds. In the foreground, there’s a small informational signpost next to a pathway leading towards the central focus of the image: two large, earthen mounds covered in green vegetation. These mounds are symmetrically placed on either side of the path and appear to be historical earthwork defenses from the Revolutionary War era. Between them, at the end of the path, there is a wooden gate or fence that seems to provide entry to an area beyond. The scene is serene and suggests historical significance related to military defense strategies of that time.
Redoubts are typically earthen defensive fortifications built to protect an area outside of the main walled garrison.

Near the main office, you’ll find a blacksmith’s shed. The shed is fully functional and hosts smithing demonstrations from time to time. A pair of cannons used by the British at Camden are displayed in the blacksmith’s shed. Both were abandoned when the British evacuated the town in 1781 and later discovered by archaeologists.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site - two cannons—one full-sized and mounted on wheels, and another smaller model placed in the foreground. This intriguing scene likely represents historical artillery pieces, possibly displayed for educational or commemorative purposes. Unfortunately, the text on the informational plaque below the smaller cannon model is not legible due to the distance and angle of the photograph.
Pair of 18th Century Cannons Under the Blacksmith’s Shed

Events at the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

Revolutionary War Field Days

Red Coats take over the Camden common once again during the annual Revolutionary War Field Days. Reenactments and demonstrations are held throughout the weekend led by reenactors from over 20 states. Visitors can walk among them and ask questions.

Second Saturday Rev War Days

A smaller event that takes place every month. Each month has a different theme, but you can expect living history demonstrations and lots of people who can answer any question you have about the US Revolution.

More info at http://www.historiccamden.org/

Admission to the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

General admission is $10.00 for adults and gives you access to the grounds and a self guided tour to the outside of houses.

Guided Tours of the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

For $20, you get a guided tour of the site that includes the inside of the houses and the displays within. Tours take place at 10:30am and 2:30pm Tuesday-Saturday and last about an hour. On the tour you’ll be able to walk inside the Kershaw Mansion, McCaa’s Tavern, and the 18th C. Craven House.

Camden South Carolina Battlefield

The Battle of Camden took place about 8 miles north of Historic Camden on what’s now Flat Rock Road. The 476 acre site has a total of 5 short trails, three have interpretive signage that tells the story of the battle that took place here in 1780.

A tranquil scene of a pine forest. Tall trees with spaced-out trunks allow sunlight to filter through the canopy, illuminating the forest floor covered with pine needles. The uneven ground, visible roots, and small plants add to the natural beauty. The perspective leads down a path in the forest, creating a sense of depth and tranquility.
The West Battlefield Loop runs through the pine forest across the road from the battleground parking lot.

The best way to experience the Camden Battlefield is to start on the “Great Road Trail”, the signage gives an introduction and sets the stage for the battle. It ends at the “Eastern Battlefield Trail” that loops back and tells the story of the first shots of the battle and Horatio Gates’ retreat. Now that you’re back at the starting point take the “Western Battlefield Loop” to learn the rest of the story.

The battlefield is mostly shaded with young pine trees and some open areas. Parts of the area are owned by a private company and used as a timber farm, so additional roads have been cut through the forest. This makes following the trails difficult, and the trail signage isn’t the best. Keep an eye out for spray paint trail blazes on trees. The trails are all close to the highway, so as long as you can hear cars passing by, you won’t get lost even if you loose the trail.

For details on our visit check out our Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site Field Report

Camden’s History and the Southern Campaign

The Spring and Summer of 1780 were dark days for Continentals seeking independence from the British Crown. In the North, the war had been fought to a standstill. Unable to gain victory and fearing intervention from their Old World rivals, the British turned their attention to the Southern Colonies in hopes of breaking the stalemate.

Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House - a large, traditional two-story white house with a prominent chimney, captured under a clear blue sky. The house, which displays multiple windows and a staircase leading to an elevated main entrance, is nestled within well-manicured green lawns. Scattered trees and blooming pink flowers on the left side add to the serene and picturesque setting, suggesting the house’s historical significance and the natural beauty of its surroundings. This image could be particularly interesting for those who appreciate architecture, history, or the tranquility of natural landscapes.
Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House From the Rear

In this so called Southern Campaign, the British hoped to quickly establish total control of the Southern Colonies. If they could pull this off, the British would have a safe base of operations to attack the middle colonies and deprive the rebellion of much needed supplies originating from the formerly safe Southern Colonies.

Major General Henry Clinton set sail from New York the day after Christmas 1779 with 8,500 troops and a fleet of warships intent on pacifying the southern colonies. By February 1, 1780, he and his army landed 30 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. Slowly he consolidated his position until March 29 when he lay siege to Charleston. By May 12, the city fell under his control and the British had their foothold in the south.

From that beachhead, troops were sent out to capture strategically important towns. Ninety-Six and Augusta quickly fell to the British onslaught. Lord Charles Cornwallis was dispatched to Camden along with his lieutenant Francis Rawdon. They faced little resistance and quickly pacified the town by June 1. With the British firmly in control of Camden, Lord Cornwallis returned to Charleston to take command of His Majesty’s southern army. Rawdon remained in Camden to fortify and command the garrison.

British Occupied Camden South Carolina

Historic Camden Kershaw-Cornwallis House - a large, two-story white house with a gray roof, featuring a prominent front porch with white railings. It’s set in the middle of a spacious green lawn under a partly cloudy sky, conveying a peaceful and open atmosphere. This type of architecture and setting is often associated with historic sites, which may be of interest to you given your appreciation for historical landmarks related to the American Revolution.
The grass common in front of the Kershaw-Cornwallis House was used by British Troops as a parade ground during occupation.

From the comfort of the large home built by Camden’s founder, Joseph Kershaw, Lord Rawdon administered the town and oversaw the construction of fortifications. Camden at this time was only two blocks of houses. Rowden ordered a palisade, or log wall fortification, built around the town. He also supervised the construction of five earthen fortifications called redoubts to further defend his position. Other buildings like a jail and powder magazine were located just outside of town.

Because of its location along the Wateree River, Camden became the principle British supply post and storage facility for the Carolinas. Arms and Equipment could be quickly and easily transported to Camden from Charleston by river boats. From Camden, supplies were sent further north by river or distributed by land to outposts in the interior of the colony.

If, Cornwallis was going to invade North Carolina, he would need to defend Camden at all costs.

Prelude to The Battle of Camden- General Horatio Gates Takes Charge

il painting portrait of an individual dressed in historical attire, likely from the late 18th or early 19th century. The attire, including a navy blue coat with gold buttons and epaulettes, a white ruffled shirt, and a light blue cravat, suggests a person of importance or military rank. The individual is also adorned with a golden medallion and holds a pair of gloves. The face is obscured by a beige rectangle, which adds an element of mystery to the piece. The background features soft brushstrokes in neutral tones.
Portrait of General Horatio Gates by Gilbert Stuart. Provided by Wikimedia Commons and is in the public domain.

After the surrender of Charleston and the capture of strategically important towns like Camden followed by the obliteration of Colonel Abraham Buford’s troops at the Battle of Waxaws, the Continental Congress appointed General Horatio Gates commander of the The Patriot’s Southern Army in hopes that he could turn the tide of the war.

Born in Britain, Gates severed in the British army but when the American Revolution broke out, he joined with General Washington and was appointed Adjutant General of the Continental Army. In that post, he proved himself a skilled administrator helping to establish the fledgling army. Although his talents were more suited to overseeing the formation, supply, and record keeping of the army, he longed to prove himself in the battlefield and felt that he should be in command of the Centennial Army instead of General Washington.

On August 4, 1777 he was given his chance when he was appointed commander of the Northern Department. Shortly after taking command, he got his first taste of victory at the Battle of Saratoga. Although Gates took credit, his field commanders including Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold directed the order of battle with Arnold defying Gates orders and taking the field, rallying troops in fierce battle, and earning himself the title “Hero of Saratoga”.

With this victory under his belt, Gates attempted to displace Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He used all his guile and political connections, but fell short of defeating Washington in political battle. After this failed attempt, he faded into obscurity until 1780 when his supporters gave him a second chance to be a hero and perhaps wrestle power from Washington.

The Road to the Battle of Camden

Gates arrived in Hillsborough, North Carolina on July 19th 1780 and took command of what he called his “Grand Army”. His first order of business was to march straight to Camden and liberate the town from British control. The officers under his command advised against such a reckless move. His plan would have the army marching through thinly populated areas with few resources and deep into enemy territory far away from supply lines. Gates refused to listen, and the army set out on July 27th.

The march was hard and long and by August 7th many of his men were starving, but things started to look up. General Richard Caswell with his contingent of 2,100 North Carolina Militiamen joined the the march to Camden. A few days later at Rugeley’s Mill, just 15 miles north of Camden, General Edward Stevens and his 700 Virginia Militiamen also joined the army.

That brought Gates’ total troop count to well over 4000 men. Unfortunately the vast majority of these troops were ill equipped and untested. Most of the militiamen had never seen battle much less a British bayonet charge. Of the remaining men, many were suffering from dysentery and not truly fit to fight. But the Camden garrison under Lord Rawdon only numbered 1,000 men. Gates was confident in his ability to lead his men to victory.

In the meantime, Lord Cornwallis had been alerted to Gates’ troop movements. Camden was too important to the British war effort to risk loosing. It not only held vast stores of powder and other supplies essential to the war effort, but several hundred sick and injured soldiers were recuperating within the safety of the town walls. Lord Charles Cornwallis personalty marched reinforcements from Charleston and on August 13 he arrived in Camden and took command.

The Battle of Camden

Historic Camden Battleground - a wooden sign for the “Battle of Camden National Historic Landmark” with a graphic of a soldier and a flag. The sign is set against a backdrop of lush green trees under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, there are rustic wooden fences made from stacked logs, adding to the historical ambiance of the scene.
Historic Camden Battleground Sign- Don’t turn here, keep going for another half mile to the battleground parking lot.

August 15, 1780 and First Shots Fired

During the night of August 15, 1780 both armies were traveling under cover of darkness about 8 miles north of Camden. The night march was especially hard on the Americans. The large army made up of mostly fresh recruits had had little time to learn to maneuver as a cohesive unit. Cornwallis army was in much better shape. Although his troop count was only 2200 compared to Gates 4000, 1400 of Cornwallis’ troops were battle hardened regulars.

When the two armies inadvertently crossed paths in the night there was a brief moment of confusion as shots were exchanged. But neither side wanted to fight in darkness, so they separated and waited for first light.

August 16, 1780 – The Battle of Camden

Gates remained supremely confident in the morning as he mustered his troops for a fight. Assessing his opponent’s troop strength, he clearly had the numerical advantage and was already looking forward to reporting of his victory to his superiors.

Falling back on his training in the British Army, Gates deployed his troops in the traditional British manner. His most experienced troops, the veterans from Maryland and Delaware, were placed on his right flank and his least experienced, the North Carolina and Virginia militias that had never seen battle, formed up along the left. Cornwallis did the same which saw his battle hardened veterans of the 23rd and 33rd Regiments facing off against the inexperienced North Carolina and Virginia militias. Gates positioned himself far back behind the lines.

Historic Camden Battleground - An outdoor historical information sign titled ‘General Gates’s Disgrace’ stands prominently in the foreground, set against a backdrop of a sparse pine forest under a clear blue sky dotted with scattered clouds. The setting suggests a historical site or battlefield, inviting visitors to learn about the events of General Gates’s Disgrace amidst the natural surroundings.
Interpretive Sign along the East Battlefield Trail.

When the battle commenced, the 800 men of the British 33rd Regiment affixed bayonets and advanced on the 2500 men of the Virginia and North Carolina Militias. At first sight of the British bayonet charge, the Virginia Militiamen doped their guns and ran. Their retreat carried over to the North Carolina Militia, and with that the majority of Gates’ army was in full retreat within minutes of the commencement of battle. Gates too chose to run. He turned his horse and galloped away, legend holds it that he didn’t stop until he was safely in Charlotte.

Historic Camden Battleground - a tranquil outdoor scene featuring a grassy clearing with scattered patches of bare earth. In the foreground, there’s a concrete pathway leading towards a gray, upright stone monument on the left and a metal information board on the right. Behind these structures, there’s an open-sided wooden shelter with a bench inside, set against a backdrop of tall pine trees filling the background under an overcast sky. The setting appears to be in a park or nature reserve, suggesting this might be an area of historical or environmental significance.
Battleground pull off and trail access with two monuments and and information kiosk in distance.

While Gates was running for his life, Maj. Gen. Johann de Kalb, the German born soldier who joined the Continental Army along with his friend Lafayette, rallied the Maryland and Delaware regulars along the right flank to make a final heroic stand. As the veteran British 23rd and 33rd Regiments turned from the fleeing militia to engage the only Continentals still on the field de Kalb found himself surrounded by foes. As defeat seemed inevitable he made one final attempt to rally his troops but was shot from his horse. With that his men finally gave up the hopeless fight.

Aftermath of The Battle of Camden

The Battle of Camden was the worst Patriot defeat of the war. Over 2000 American troops were either killed or taken prisoner, including Maj. Gen. Johann de Kalb who died of his wounds two days later as a prisoner in Camden. Gates survived and after arriving in Charlotte, he continued back to Hillsborough in hopes that his army would have returned. He arrived on the 19th and then made his report to Congress the following day.

All organized resistance to the British in South Carolina was cleared away in just over an hour on that August morning. Cornwallis was free to move into North Carolina and then Virginia unopposed. The only hope of stooping him would be if someone could quickly raise an army and bring them to field. The chances of that were long, so Cornwallis marched north.

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Fast Facts about Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

Type:Revolutionary War Historic Site and Battleground
Admission:$10.00 adult/ $20.00 For Guided Tour
Location:222 Broad St, Camden, SC 29020
Website:http://www.historiccamden.org/
Phone(803)432 – 9841
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Things to do: Hiking, walking, events, historical reenactments, picnicking, historical displays

Camden Revolutionary War Site is Closed on Mondays

Map to Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site