Panic and Valor
When ordering his militia to attack, Gates envisioned them marching forward and leaving their initial position vacant.
He therefore instructed Gen. William Smallwood to advance his 1st Maryland Brigade to take their place. However, before Smallwood could proceed, the militia broke into retreat. Smallwood’s Continentals pushed forward through their fleeing comrades.
Webster, seeing the American front collapse, wheeled his troops leftward to attack Smallwood.
The Marylanders checked this assault, taking a position almost at a right angle to the original battle line. Fighting was ferocious, sometimes hand-to-hand.
Marker can be reached from Flat Rock Road (South Carolina Route 58).
Courtesy hmdb.org
