South Carolina | Sep 8, 1781
On September 8, 1781, an American force under the command of Nathanael Greene attacked a British force under the command of Alexander Stewart in the Battle of Eutaw Springs. Despite the initial success, Greene eventually retreated from the field. The engagement was one of the final battles in South Carolina.
How It Ended
British Victory. After staving off repeated American attacks, Stewart realized that his force needed to fall back towards Charleston, South Carolina.
In Context
From 1779 to 1781, a bitter war raged across the Carolinas. In the spring of 1781, British General Charles Lord Cornwallis moved into Virginia, intent on destroying Patriot supply centers. He left the Carolinas with a garrison of roughly 2,500 men. American General Nathanael Greene took advantage of Cornwallis's absence and entered South Carolina with 2,200 men with intent of driving the British back to Charleston.
