14 Feb 1779 Jahr - Skirmish at Cherokee Ford

Beschreibung:

Before leaving Carr's Fort for South Carolina, Col. Pickens and Dooly called for reinforcements under Capt. Anderson to patrol the Savannah in order to hold back the loyalist forces whenever they should attempt a crossing. Tory leader, Col. John Boyd changed his course of march, failed to encounter Col. Pickens, and attempted to cross into Wilkes at Cherokee Ford, which he found protected by a blockhouse. On the morning of February 14, Colonel Boyd was surprised by the rebel force. He consequently went five miles up the river and effected a crossing by dividing his men into small groups and sending them across on rafts. Passage was hotly contested by a small force of a hundred Americans, Pickens commanded the center, Colonel John Dooley the right and Elijah Clarke the left. The Tory pickets fired and then retreated into camp. Boyd rallied his men who fought on for over an hour before finally being defeated. Boyd would die that evening from wounds. All the captured Tories were convicted of treason and five were hanged. Pickens' victory destroyed Tory morale in South Carolina, while bolstering the numbers of Patriot militia. Col. John Boyd lost a hundred men, killed, wounded, and missing. Sixteen Americans were killed and wounded and an equal number were taken prisoners.

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