SC, USA
Battle of Camden
August 16, 1780
At dawn on August 16, 1780, the British line attacked. Webster's regulars on the British right moved against the Virginia militia on the American left before the militia had fully formed their line. The militia fired one volley and ran. The collapse was immediate and total. The Continentals on the American right — Maryland and Delaware regiments under de Kalb — did not know the left had broken until British forces began appearing on their flank and rear. They fought for over an hour in a steadily shrinking perimeter, de Kalb rallying them personally until he was shot repeatedly and fell. American losses exceeded 1,000 killed and captured, with the number who simply scattered and never returned impossible to calculate. British losses were approximately 325.
People Involved
German-born French officer serving as a Continental major general who commanded the Maryland and Delaware Continentals at Camden. His troops maintained discipline and fought after the militia fled; he was shot eleven times and died three days after the battle. His death cost the army one of its most capable regular infantry commanders.
British infantry officer who commanded the regulars that attacked the American left at Camden. His assault against the Virginia militia before the American line was fully formed triggered the collapse that decided the battle. He was mortally wounded at Guilford Courthouse seven months later.