Towns

SC, USA

American Troops Halt to Loot the British Camp

September 8, 1781

DateSeptember 8, 1781
Precisionday

As Continental soldiers pushed through the abandoned British camp during their advance, some stopped to break open rum barrels and take food and supplies. Greene and his officers were unable to keep the advance moving at the critical moment. Historians debate how much this contributed to the eventual failure; the brick house's resistance may have been decisive regardless, but the looting broke the momentum of the American pursuit.

People Involved

Major General Nathanael Greene(Continental Army General)

Rhode Island Quaker who became Washington's most capable general. Commanded the Southern Department from December 1780, rebuilding the shattered army and fighting a campaign of strategic attrition that expelled British forces without winning a single tactical victory.