Battle of Tearcoat Swamp

After the Battle of Camden and the subsequent defeat, and departure of the Continental Army from South Carolina, Francis Marion already a lieutenant colonel commanding the Williamsburg Militia in the Pee Dee area used his militia force of 20 to 70 men to harass enemy forces and disrupt supply lines.^[1] Marion and his militia operated primarily in South Carolina, between the Pee Dee and Santee Rivers throughout 1780. Unlike the regular army Marion's Militia used guerrilla warfare to engage and harass both the British Army and the Loyalist Militias in the area. Marion's Militia was made of citizens, farmers, and slaves from the surrounding countryside. Due to the lack of war materials available these men provided their own armaments, mounts and food. In return they were allowed to join the militia and leave freely at any time at their own discretion. In early fall Marion received correspondence from General Horatio Gates who encouraged him to continue his offensive. His confidence bolstered, Marion moved into the area of Brittons Neck, South Carolina. At first the citizens of the surrounding area did not respond to Marion's call to arms, however after threatening departure to North Carolina Marion was able to gather 152 men.

On October 24 Major General Nisbet Balfour ordered lieutenant colonel Samuel Tynes.^[2] to lead and train a loyalist militia in the High Hills area between Salem, SC and Nelsons Ford. The loyalists procured armaments and supplies from Camden, and marched to the area near Tearcoat Swamp. Colonel Tynes intended to strengthen his numbers and train the men in warfare. Tynes bivouacked his men in the fork of Black River effectively placing Tearcoat Swamp at his back, believing that it would shield his men from the enemy.^[1] Unbeknownst to the British a group of Marion's scouts had observed and reported the position of the loyalists. Upon hearing of the enemy movement Marion expressed that this was an excellent opportunity "to break up the party, before its newly made converts should become confirmed in the principles they had unwillingly adopted".^[3] Marion secretly decided to attack the loyalists at Tearcoat before they could muster anymore men. Marion remained silent about his plan of attack, and even his own men were unaware of the intended action. To further cover his plan, before departing Marion spread rumors that he and his men would march on McCallum's Ferry. Marion gathered his men and, left his camp at Kingstree on the morning of October 25 and led his 152 men towards Salem.