The American capture of Fort Watson on the Santee River on April 23, 1781, cut the supply line from Charleston to Camden. Lord Rawdon, commander of the British garrison, admitted that he was completely dependent on Charleston for subsistence, military stores, horses, and arms. After failing to drive Greene far from Camden after the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and unable to bring the Americans to battle on favorable terms, Rawdon knew that if he tried to hold the town he would be surrounded and forced to surrender. On May 9, the British destroyed supplies they could not carry, partially leveled the fortifications, and evacuated Camden during the night, leaving behind some American prisoners and wounded British soldiers. Many Loyalist refugees accompanied the army. Nathanael Greene said that Lord Rawdon burned the greatest part of his baggage, set fire to the prison, mill, and several other buildings, and left the town little better than a heap of ruins.