On June 6, 1775 South Carolina’s Provincial Congress resolves that two regiments of infantry and a third regiment of mounted riflemen be raised. The 2nd South Carolina and the 3rd South Carolina Ranger regiments played a significant role in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
By Erick Nason
As both the United States and South Carolina begin celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, it is important that we honor, remember, and learn about even the smallest of those events that took place. While most may recall the historic “Shot heard around the world,” the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19th, 1775, many are unaware that only two days later, here in Charleston, patriots stealthily secured from British stores 800 stands of muskets and over 1000 pounds of gunpowder and did so without incident [Learn More].
The seeds of who would be the important leaders and officers of the Continental Regiments of South Carolina had already been sown through experiences in the previous Anglo-Cherokee War of 1759-61 and service in a provincial regiment under the command of Colonel Thomas Middleton. The fuse of the Revolution had long been burning since the end of the Anglo-Cherokee War, with increasing contempt by some American colonists before becoming open rebellion by 1775.
As part of the uprising, a new South Carolina Provincial Congress would be established on July 6th, 1774, the first steps toward creating an independent government, all while a Royal Governor sat in Charleston. Members of this first Provincial Congress were veterans from Middleton’s Regiment or had served on that campaign. Henry Laurens was the second-in-command of the regiment, and officers such as Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, William Moultrie, and Francis Marion had too.
When word was received about Lexington and Concord, South Carolina realized the importance of preparing for the defense of South Carolina and the possibility of direct military confrontation with Great Britain. A Council of Safety was elected, with the responsibility of managing the defense of South Carolina. Henry Laurens would be chosen President of the Council, the equivalent of being the Governor. Separately, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was named President of the Provincial Congress.
The Provincial Congress met on June 1st, 1775, and five days later resolved that South Carolina would raise two regiments of foot, then followed two days later by adding a regiment of mounted rangers. By 1776, the provincial troops would evolve to become the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd South Carolina Regiments of the Continental Line – professional troops representing South Carolina in a larger standing army.
The next step was to secure the officers for these new regiments. For the senior regimental commanders, Henry Laurens appointed Lt. Colonel Isaac Huger and Major Owen Roberts for the 1st Regiment, Lt. Colonel William Moultrie and Major Alexander McIntosh for the 2nd; and for the 3rd Regiment Lt. Colonel William “Danger” Thomson and Major James Mayson – all figures who would play meaningful roles and remain devoted to independence through the duration of the Revolution. It was James Mayson who, in June of 1775, led militiamen in capturing Fort Charlotte, a British stronghold located in present-day McCormack County, and Owen Roberts and Alexander McIntosh both died in service before the end of the conflict.
The next critical task for the new company commanders was to recruit men to fill the ranks. Most of the commanders would return home to where they were known. Some of the first recruits were unemployed sailors, as the Royal Navy had blockaded the Port of Charles Town with its warships, Tamar and Cherokee. For some commanders, recruitment was easy. For example, Francis Marion went to his home parish and recruited his quota within one day.
Barnard Elliot faced a more unique challenge when recruiting in Georgia, where he came to a town facing their local militia who were led by a large, stout figure. The man stated he wouldn’t follow one in silk stockings and challenged Elliott to a boxing match. If Barnard Elliot won, he and his men would join.
What the man didn’t know was that Barnard Elliot had studied boxing while at Oxford. In the ensuing match, Elliot not only beat him but knocked him out. Before his foe regained consciousness, Elliot made the statement, “Make that man a Sergeant before he wakes up.” The Georgians enlisted and soon followed the pugilist who was educated in Britain. Importantly, Elliott would also recruit and enlist William Jasper, the courageous soldier famous for re-flying the first South Carolina flag on the wall of Fort Sullivan during battle, who is honored with a statue in White Point Garden.
A common thread among all these men, from the senior military and civilian leaders to the privates in the ranks, they understood they were now in open defiance of the King of England, in an armed Revolution, performing treasonous acts – crimes punishable by death that placed their families at risk as well.
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Dr. Erick Nason of Sumter, South Carolina served in U.S. Army Special Operations with the 2nd Ranger Battalion and 10th Special Forces Group. He is on the Board of Directors for South Campaign 1780, and is a published author, military historian, historical consultant and advisor.