Battle of Hobkirk's Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Hobkirk's Hill |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Loyalists |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Nathanael Greene |
Lord Rawdon |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1,550 regulars and militia | 900 regulars and militia | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 19 killed 113 wounded 48 wounded prisoners 41 captured 50 missing |
39 killed 210 wounded 12 missing |
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The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill was an important fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on April 25, 1781, near Camden, South Carolina. A smaller British army, led by Francis Rawdon, attacked American troops. The Americans were commanded by Nathanael Greene and were on a small hill called Hobkirk's Hill. Even though the British won this battle, Greene's overall plan was successful. He eventually forced the British to leave most of South Carolina.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
After a tough battle at Guilford Court House, the British army, led by Charles Cornwallis, needed supplies. Cornwallis moved his troops to Wilmington, North Carolina, to get what they needed. General Nathanael Greene, leading the American Continental Army, decided not to follow Cornwallis. Instead, Greene took his army into South Carolina.
Greene hoped that by threatening British bases in South Carolina, he could force Cornwallis to chase him. He wanted to fight the British on ground that was good for the American army. When Cornwallis did not follow, Greene decided to attack the British bases scattered across South Carolina. His goal was to make the British retreat back to Charleston.
Greene moved his army of about 1,450 men quickly and secretly towards Camden. Camden was a key British base in South Carolina. Greene also wanted help from local American fighters, called partisan groups. He sent some of his troops to help General Francis Marion, a famous partisan leader. This stopped British troops from reaching Camden before the battle.
The British forces in Camden were led by Lord Francis Rawdon. His troops included several regiments, like the 63rd Regiment of Foot and the Loyalist Volunteers of Ireland.
Setting the Stage
Camden was on a small hill, with rivers and creeks around it. The British had built a ring of forts, called redoubts, to protect the town. When Greene's army arrived on April 20, 1781, the British were ready. Greene could not easily attack the town or surround all the forts.
So, Greene set up his army about a mile and a half away on a small hill called Hobkirk's Hill. This hill blocked an important road. Greene hoped to trick Rawdon into attacking his position. He organized his camp so his soldiers could quickly get into battle positions.
The next evening, Greene heard that about 400 more British soldiers were coming to Camden. Greene sent some of his South Carolina militia and cannons to block the road. However, the ground was too wet for the cannons. So, the cannons were moved to a safe spot. On April 24, Greene learned that the extra British troops were not coming. He ordered his men and cannons back to Hobkirk's Hill.
Early the next morning, a Continental soldier left the American camp and went to the British. He told Lord Rawdon that the American army had no cannons. Rawdon thought this was a good time to attack. He believed that Generals Marion and Lee were also coming to join Greene.
The Armies
Here are the main forces that fought at Hobkirk's Hill:
American Forces
- Commander: Major General Nathanael Greene
- Troops: About 1,550 soldiers, including:
- Maryland and Virginia regiments
- Cavalry led by William Washington
- Three 6-pounder cannons
- North Carolina militia
British Forces
- Commander: Lord Francis Rawdon
- Troops: About 900 soldiers, including:
- The 63rd Regiment of Foot
- Loyalist regiments like the Volunteers of Ireland
- A small group of cavalry
- Two 6-pounder cannons
The Battle Begins
On the morning of April 25, 1781, Rawdon still thought the Americans had no cannons. Around 9:00 AM, he left Camden with 900 troops. What Rawdon did not know was that the American cannons had returned to Hobkirk's Hill that morning.
Around 11:00 AM, many American soldiers were cooking or washing clothes. Suddenly, their advanced guards, called pickets, spotted the British. The British had marched around a swamp to get to the American left side.
The American pickets, led by Captain Robert Kirkwood, fought hard. This gave General Greene time to get his troops ready for battle. He placed his Virginia regiments on the right and left sides. The Maryland regiments were also on the left and right. The cannons were in the middle, with North Carolina militia behind them.
Rawdon's British forces came out of the woods and slowly moved up the hill. Greene saw that the British were coming in a narrow line. He ordered an attack! He told his troops on the right and left to swing around and attack the British from the sides. He also ordered the two regiments in the middle to charge forward with bayonets. Meanwhile, Washington's cavalry was supposed to go around the British and attack them from behind.
The Americans attacked strongly, and their cannons fired, causing many British casualties. But the British line held firm.
During the attack, an American captain was killed, and his company stopped fighting. Another officer was badly wounded, causing his troops to become confused. When the American line started to break, Lord Rawdon and his Volunteers of Ireland charged forward. The Maryland troops fired a few shots and then ran away. Even though Rawdon had fewer soldiers and no cannons, he won the field.
Who Was Lost
The British lost 39 soldiers killed, 210 wounded, and 12 missing.
The American losses were 19 soldiers killed and 113 wounded. Also, 48 wounded soldiers were captured, 41 unwounded soldiers were captured, and 50 were missing.
After the Battle
Washington's cavalry did not make it to the main battle in time. They had gone to attack Rawdon's hospital and supply area, where they captured 200 prisoners. By the time they finished, they were too late to help in the battle. They joined Greene's army as it retreated. However, Washington did return in time to save the three American cannons from being captured. About 45 Maryland soldiers helped drag the cannons away. They fought off several British attacks but suffered many losses.
The American retreat did not last long. Rawdon pulled most of his forces back to Camden, leaving only a small group of cavalry at the battlefield. That afternoon, Greene sent Washington and Kirkwood back to Hobkirk's Hill. They surprised the British cavalry and drove them away. Greene then turned his army around and took back the hill.
Colonel Gunby, one of Greene's officers, was criticized for his actions that caused the American line to break. A military court found that his order to fall back was "in all probability the only cause why we did not obtain a complete victory."
Rawdon returned to Camden. More British troops joined him on May 7. However, Greene's army was still nearby, and American militia groups were attacking British supply lines. Rawdon realized he could not hold Camden any longer. On May 9, Rawdon left Camden and retreated towards Moncks Corner.
The future seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, saw this battle. He was being held by the British as a prisoner of war in Camden.
Images for kids
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Disposition of force at the start of conflict
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Battle of Hobkirk's Hill
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Hobkirk's Hill para niños
