August 16th, 1780, the Continental Army suffered perhaps the worst defeat in the history of the American military at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.
The war in the north had come to an effective stalemate. After defeats at Saratoga and Stony Point, New York, and Monmouth, New Jersey, the British army was entrenched in New York City, flanked by Washington’s powerful army in New Jersey, and a large joint French/American force in New England. Understanding that victory in the north was now impossible, British command decided to shift the focus of the war to the southern States, where they had enjoyed success earlier in the conflict. By controlling the south, with its many rich ports, abundant crops, and a large loyalist population, the British hoped they could turn the tide of the Revolution.
In May, 1780, Charlestown, South Carolina, America’s largest port fell to the British siege, with more than 5000 troops captured along with irreplaceable munitions and supplies, the American Southern Army effectually ceased to exist. Town after town fell, including the key city of Camden. With only militia to withstand them, the British under Lord Cornwallis and the infamous Banastre Tarleton were unstoppable.
Gen. Washington ordered 1800 Continental Regulars from the Maryland and Delaware Lines to South Carolina in support of the militia. Though Washington preferred Nathanael Greene to be in command, Gen. Horatio Gates, the 2nd ranking officer in the Continental Army was given command of the force. Gen. Johann De Kalb, a Franco/Prussian volunteer who helped train the Army during the bitter winter of 1779 at Valley Forge, was second-in-command.
Gates, a proud and sometimes unyielding man, took control of the Army early in August, and dismissed many of the most experienced militia leaders. He also refused the help of William Washington and his cavalry, perhaps the most experience regular unit left in the South, and inexplicably sent nearly 500 of his most experienced Continental Regulars to harass British supply lines. All of this was done under the ill-conceived notion that he would not be meeting the British in open battle. Rather, Gates planned to use his army, now consisting of approximately 1100 Continental Regulars and 2000 highly inexperienced militia, many of whom had never seen combat, to siege Camden and force the British to withdrawal without fighting.
With the Continental force short of food and supplies, and in a somewhat barren part of the country, Gates to decided to march his men overnight to a better position. Many of the men, who had eaten food stores long held, became increasingly sick with food poisoning as the night wore on. To make matters worse, Lord Cornwallis received news of the Continental Army’s march, he in turn immediately sent 2000 troops to reinforce the garrison at Camden. At approximately 2 a.m. the two armies met and skirmished, though both withdrew rather than fighting in the dark of night. At dawn, the battle began in earnest.
Gates, a traditionalist, erred from the start, placing his most inexperienced militia directly across the field in front of the strongest British line. His best troops, the Continental Regular units under De Kalb, were placed on the right flank. This formation, though considered traditional, was rather a foolish mistake that would cost many men their lives. Though the British were outnumbered by 1000 troops, they immediately pressed the attack into the militia lines. Most of militia broke and fled almost immediately without firing a shot.
However, one of the bright spots on that dark day was the actions of De Kalb and his troops.
De Kalb’s regiment, 900 strong, was positioned approximately 300 yards to the right of the American center. The British attacked the line headlong and were immediately repulsed with heavy loss. De Kalb’s line pushed forward, breaking the British line and forcing them into a full retreat. But the victory was short lived. With the Continental left flank completely folded, and the militia being chased down by British cavalry, Cornwallis had his men wheel left and pour into De Kalb’s troops. De Kalb’s men held firm, not giving an inch. The battle raged for nearly an hour, Gen De Kalb, who was fighting from horseback, was shot 3 times and unhorsed. British troops bayoneted him many times, but he was bravely pulled back by his aid Chevalier du Buysson, who rushed forward to save the General. Now nearly surrounded, the Continental lines were finally broken by a cavalry charge led by Banastre Tarleton.
Though approximately 200 Continental Regulars were able to withdrawal fighting, more than 700 were killed or captured. This, along with more than 1000 militia captured and just as many wounded, was the bulk of Gates’ force. Gates, for his part, retreated in shame, abandoning his men and not stopping until he reached North Carolina.
Lord Cornwallis was so impressed with the bravery of Johann De Kalb that he personally attended to the fallen General. When a British officer apologized to De Kalb after seeing his many grievous wounds, he recorded that De Kalb replied to him “I thank you sir for your generous sympathy, but I die the death I always prayed for: the death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man.”
The bravery of De Kalb was greatly admired by his fellow soldiers. Today, many towns, counties, and roads are named in his honor, “The generous stranger, who came from a distant land to fight our battles and to water with his blood the tree of liberty..” De Kalb Pike here in Pennsylvania is one such road named for the brave General.
News of the loss at Camden was a demoralizing blow to the Continental cause. General Washington, understanding that the Southern States must be defended, sent General Nathanael Greene to take control of the Southern Army and hopefully turn the tide. History will show that he was more than up to the task…
americanhistorywhy 