American Revolution-SC

After two decades of research and investigation, the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, in collaboration with the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250), has unveiled the first volume of the Francis Marion Papers, a project that holds the potential to reshape our understanding of one of the American Revolution’s most heroic figures.For this episode we sat down with Molly Fortune, CEO of SC250); co-editor Ben Rubin, and co-editor Rick Wise, Director of the SC Battlefield Preservation Trust, to talk about the work behind the publication of the papers and about Marion and his compatriots in the Revoultionary War.

“H” is for Huger, Isaac (1743-1797). Soldier. Isaac Huger was General Nathanael Greene’s second in command of the Southern Department.

“H” is for Huger, Isaac (1743-1797). Soldier. Isaac Huger was General Nathanael Greene’s second in command of the Southern Department.

“H” is for Huck, Christian (d. 1780). Soldier.

“H” is for Huck, Christian (d. 1780). Soldier.

This week we'll be talking with Andrew Waters about his latest book, Backcountry War: The Rise of Francis Marion, Banastre Tarleton, and Thomas Sumter (2024, Westholme Publishing). In it Andrew weaves the history of three key leaders in the American Revolution into in a single narrative, focusing on the events of 1780 in South Carolina that witnessed their collective ascendance from common soldiers to American legends. It was a time when British victories at Charleston and Camden left the Continental Army in tatters and the entire American South vulnerable to British conquest. Yet in those dark hours, Sumter, Marion, and others like them rose in the swamps and hills of the South Carolina wilderness. Their collective efforts led to the stunning American victory at Cowpens and a stalemate at Guilford’s Courthouse the following year that finally convinced British general Charles Cornwallis to abandon the Carolinas for Virginia and eventually to Yorktown where his beleaguered army surrendered.

“H” is for Horry, Peter (ca .1743-1815). Planter, soldier, legislator.

“H” is for Horry, Peter (ca .1743-1815). Planter, soldier, legislator.

“P” is for Pinckney, Thomas (1750-1828). Governor, diplomat, congressman, soldier.

“P” is for Pinckney, Thomas (1750-1828). Governor, diplomat, congressman, soldier.