Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site

A brief description of Camden in Garrison 

     Camden was strategically the most important of the five principal inland garrisons maintained by the British during the1780-1781 Southern Campaign.  It was well fortified by four redoubts.  A large stockade fence surrounded the town and surrounded the Kershaw house, which served as headquarters.  The nearby gaol and powder magazine, built by Joseph Kershaw for the State of South Carolina, were fortified also. 

     Having taken over Camden on June 1, 1780, Lord Cornwallis returned to Charleston for his “summer of administration,” leaving Lord Francis Rawdon in command.  Upon hearing of General Gates’ march to Camden, he called in his entire command to meet his at Camden on August 13.  After the rout at the Battle of Camden three days later, Cornwallis’ army remained in Camden until September 8, 1780.

      The regular garrison at Camden under Rawdon included:  the 23rd and 33rd Regiments of Foot, Volunteers of Ireland (recruited in Philadelphia and New York by Rawdon), a legion of cavalry, a detachment of artillery, and Brown's and Hamilton's corps of North Carolina Provincials.  Crude huts, made from Camden stores and churches, housed the garrison.  

   Lord Francis Rawdon

 
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Last updated July 22, 2004