A Daring Plan

Outnumbered and with little hope of reinforcements, Lord Rawdon decided it would be foolish to remain behind Camden’s fortifications. After an American deserter reported that Greene had no artillery, Rawdon chose to attack the Americans despite their strong position on Hobkirk’s Hill. By arming every available man, including musicians, he assembled almost 950 men and led them out of Camden at ten o’clock on the morning of April 25. To deceive Greene, the British marched south, then turned and followed Pine Tree Creek north toward Greene’s forces on Hobkirk’s Hill. Screened by pine forest, they reached the southeastern end of Hobkirk’s Hill without being detected until their leading units encountered Greene’s pickets.

Camden, South Carolina · United States