Battle of Monck's Corner

The Battle of Monck's Corner on April 14, 1780 effectively sealed Charleston's fate by destroying the last American cavalry force that could have covered an evacuation. Tarleton's British Legion cavalry — the most feared horsemen in the war — used intelligence from a Loyalist spy who infiltrated the American camp to execute a perfect surprise attack.

General Huger's cavalry was at rest in the early morning hours when Tarleton struck. The surprise was total. The American horse were scattered before they could saddle their horses, and dozens were killed, wounded, or captured along with the horses and equipment that were desperately needed. The survivors fled northward.

With Monck's Corner fallen, Charleston was surrounded on all sides. Any Continental troops that escaped overland would have no cavalry protection for their retreat. Lincoln's army was now essentially trapped, and the siege that would result in the largest American surrender of the war moved toward its inevitable conclusion. The action demonstrated Tarleton's remarkable ability to move with extraordinary speed and strike without warning — skills he would employ throughout the Carolina campaign.