Battle of Blackstock's Farm

The Battle of Blackstock's Farm on November 20, 1780 was one of the most tactically skillful partisan victories of the Southern Campaign and one of the few times Banastre Tarleton was genuinely defeated in the Carolina war. Thomas Sumter, the 'Gamecock,' had been rebuilding his force after Tarleton's destruction of his camp at Fishing Creek, and Tarleton had been ordered to find and destroy him again.

Sumter chose his position at Blackstock's Farm carefully — a complex of log buildings on a hillside offering excellent defensive terrain. He positioned about 300 of his most reliable men while the rest provided a reserve. Tarleton arrived with his cavalry and several companies of infantry — his artillery had not kept up with his rapid advance. Rather than wait for his full force, Tarleton attacked immediately with what he had.

The British infantry advanced up the hill directly into murderous fire from Sumter's riflemen. Three British officers were killed and the attacking force was cut to pieces. When Tarleton's cavalry charged, they were also driven off. Sumter was seriously wounded — a large caliber ball broke several ribs and lodged near his spine. He was carried off the field in a deerhide litter. His men fought with desperate fury to keep the British from capturing him. The British eventually withdrew without their objective.

Sumter recovered from his wound — though it plagued him for years — and continued in command. The battle established his reputation as a commander who could beat British regulars in the open field and enhanced the growing reputation of South Carolina militia as formidable fighters.