may 8, 1781 - Skirmish at Sawney's Creek

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The night of May 7th, Col. Francis, Lord Rawdon crossed the Wateree Ferry and moved to attack what he thought was the main Patriot force at Sawney Creek, but turned out, was only the Light Infantry and cavalry pickets of the American army.

On May 8th, Major General Nathanael Greene moved his Patriot force to Sawney's Creek after finding out tha Col. Francis, Lord Rawdon British force had returned to Camden. In the morning, Lord Rawdon marched his force to Wateree Ferry. He followed Major General Greene to the lower side of Sawney's Creek, a rough area of pine and oak trees, where his advance troops met the pickets of Lt. Col. William Washington's dragoons. A short skirmish ensued, with the pickets being driven away. Both Major General Greene and Lord Rawdon withdrew their forces without any more engagements. Finding Major General Greene’s position too strong, Lord Rawdon withdrew back, once again, to Camden.

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