Pivotal Events That Shaped Beaufort County’s Revolutionary Spirit
Step into the heart of South Carolina’s fight for freedom with iconic battles, historic sites, and vibrant Gullah culture.
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Key Revolutionary War Events in Beaufort County
1775-1776: First Strikes and Defensive Victories
- July 1775: Battle of Bloody Point – Patriot boats seize munitions off Daufuskie Island in early, large-scale, armed conflict of the war in SC.
- March 1776: Battle of Yamacraw Bluff – GA and SC militia, including Beaufort District Militia (BDM), repel the British Navy in defense of rice boats.
1778: Naval Resistance Emerges
- August 1778: Surrender of the Sally – Patriots capture British merchant vessel.
- December 1778: Battle of Port Royal Harbor – Patriots aboard the Sally repel British privateer attack.
- British capture Savannah and stage for SC invasion from garrison there.
- Battle of St. Helena Sound – Patriots seize a storm-tossed British supply ship.
1779: A Year of Skirmishes and Defiance
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Patriots resist British at Zubly’s Ferry.
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200 British raid and torch homes on Hilton Head and Pinckney Islands.
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Patriots abandon guns at Fort Lyttleton during enemy advance.
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British land and loot plantations across Hilton Head and Bull’s Plantation.
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February 3-Battle of Port Royal Island: Moultrie leads Patriot victory.
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Loyalists disguised as natives seize Patriots in Black Swamp.
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British move 3,000 troops across the Savannah River toward Charleston.
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British engage Continental Army at Purysburg.
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Patriots fight at Coosawhatchie and Tulifinny Hill.
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Pierce Butler skirmishes near Edisto River with British foragers.
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Patriots burn Fort Lyttleton as British approach.
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Militia intercept cattle convoy in Second Battle of Port Royal Island.
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Patriots burn British sloop at Hunting Island and recapture 200 stolen slaves.
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Jasper leads militia in recapturing slaves and capturing Loyalists.
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Battle of Ash’s Point (Daufuskie) – Patriots surprise British picket line.
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Beaufort garrison of 900 British Regulars under Col Maitland hurries to Savannah to reinforce Prevost’s forces and prevent surrender in Siege of Savannah
1780: Resistance Under Pressure
- March skirmish at Two Sisters’ Ferry.
- Battle of Salkehatchie: Patriots resist Tarleton, suffer losses.
- Friendly fire at Isaac McPherson’s plantation wounds British forces in skirmish with local militia.
- British ship Ceres captured off Hilton Head.
1780–1781: Raids, Retaliations, and Revolt
- CPT James Doharty killed by Loyalists at Bear Island.
- CPT Richard Pendarvis and CPT William Patterson killed by Hilton Head Militia in retaliation
- Loyalist leader Martinangel ambushed and killed by HH Militia.
- Battle of Salkehatchie Bridge: Harden’s Rangers dispersed by Loyalist Col Fenwick.
- Battle of Pocotaligo (Fort Balfour) – Patriots capture the fort after mutiny by Loyalist defenders.
- Battle of Hudson’s Ferry – Continental forces clash with Loyalists.
- British brig Dispatch wrecked and crew escapes.
Late 1781: Momentum Shifts
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HMS Experiment ambushed; British officers captured.
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HMS Dispatch captured by Patriot Privateer schooner out of Hilton Head.
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October 19: British and Loyalists burn Hilton Head homes in revenge raid on Yorktown surrender day.
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October 21: Patriots seize two British schooners and 30 stolen slaves.
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October 22: British Major Maxwell and Loyalist Philip Martinangel ambush Hilton Head patrol, kill Charles Davant.
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December: Bloody Legion kills Martinangel brothers in Daufuskie raid.
1782: Final Clashes and Occupation
- February: BDM under LTC Barnwell defeated at Lower Savannah River; BG Barnwell cedes Beaufort.
- March 4: Andrew Deveaux seizes Beaufort for over two weeks.
- March 13: British schooner retaken by Loyalists near Beaufort.
- March 15: Deveaux ambushed while retrieving grounded vessel.
- May: Saltketchers skirmish triggered by failed Loyalist kidnapping during truce.
- June: British-led Creek attack spreads to Three Sisters Ferry.
- August: Battle of Combahee Ferry – Col Laurens falls in final major action in Beaufort area.
- September: Port Royal Ferry – Patriot forces capture one British galley and repel another.
1785: The Final Departure
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September: Bloody Legion reportedly raids last Tory holdouts as they flee Daufuskie for the Bahamas.
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Would help fuel Washington’s siege of Boston and change the course of the war.
Hassle Free History You Can Feel
Too often, local Revolutionary War stories like these are buried under centuries of dust. That’s why we make it simple for you to:
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Discover: Access clear, easy-to-navigate information about Revolutionary War events and sites.
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Plan: Choose experiences that fit your schedule, from quick visits to all-day tours.
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Experience: Dive deep into authentic history without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
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