Eutaw Springs,
A place in
South Carolina, near Nelson's Ferry, on the
Santee, 50 miles northwest of
Charleston; the scene of a notable battle in the
Revolutionary War. The principal spring, from which the locality derived its name, first bubbles up from a bed of rock marl, at the foot of a hill 20 or 30 feet in height, and, after flowing less than 60 yards, descends, rushing and foaming, into a cavern beneath a high ridge of marl, covered with alluvium and forest trees.
After traversing its subterranean way some 30 rods, it reappears on the other side, where it is a broader stream, of sufficient volume to turn a mill-wheel.
It flows over a smooth, rocky bed, shaded by cypress-trees, about 2 miles, when it enters the
Santee.
It was near this spring that a severe battle was fought, Sept. 8, 1781.
Early in August,
General Greene, on the
High Hills of
Santee, was reinforced by
North Carolina troops under
General Sumner; and at the close of that month he crossed the
Wateree and
Congaree and marched against the
British camp at
Orangeburg, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart.
Rawdon had left these troops in
Stuart's charge and returned to
England.
Stuart, who had been joined by the garrison of Fort Ninety-six, immediately retreated, on the approach of
Greene, to
Eutaw Springs, 40 miles eastward, and there encamped.
Greene pursued so stealthily that
Stuart was not fully aware that the
Americans were after him until they were close upon him, at dawn on the morning of Sept. 8, 1781.
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Greene moved in two columns, the centre of the first composed of North Carolina militia, with a battalion of South Carolina militia on each flank, commanded
respectively by
Marion and
Pickens.
The second consisted of North Carolina regulars, led by
General Sumner, on the right; an equal number of
Virginians, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, in the centre; and Marylanders, commanded by
Col. O. H. Williams, on the left.
Lee's Legion covered the right flank, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Henderson's troops covered the left.
Washington's cavalry and
Kirkwood's
Delaware troops formed a reserve, and each line had artillery in front.
Skirmishing began at eight o'clock in the morning, and very soon the conflict became general and severe.
The
British were defeated and driven from the field with much loss.
The victory was complete, and the winners spread over the
British camp, eating, drinking, and plundering.
Suddenly and unexpectedly the fugitives rallied and renewed the battle, and after a terrible conflict of about five hours, the
Americans, who had lost heavily, were compelled to give way. But
Stuart, knowing that partisan legions were not far away, felt insecure, and that night, after breaking up 1,000 muskets and destroying stores, he retreated towards
Charleston, pursued early the next morning (Sept. 9) by parties who chased them far towards the sea. Although the battlefield remained with the
Americans, neither party could fairly claim a victory.
During the day and the pursuit the
Americans lost in killed and wounded about 550 men; the
British loss, including prisoners, was fully 800.
Lieutenant-Colonel Washington was severely wounded in the second battle, and was made prisoner.
For his good conduct on that occasion Congress presented to
Greene its thanks, a gold medal, and a British standard taken in the fight.
A few days after the battle, with a large number of sick soldiers, he retired with his troops to the
Santee hills and encamped.
There his militia left him. He remained until the middle of November, when he marched his army into the low country, where he might obtain an abundance of food.
The necessities of
Greene's army had compelled him to go to the hills.
The troops were too much exhausted to continue active operations.
They were barefooted and half naked.
He had no army hospital stores, very little salt, and his ammunition was very low.