Battle of Wahab's Plantation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Wahab's Plantation
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date September 21, 1780 Location present-day Union County, North Carolina 34°51′39″N 80°45′46″W / 34.86084°N 80.76265°W / 34.86084; -80.76265 Result Patriot victory
Belligerents
Patriot militia	Great Britain Loyalists
Commanders and leaders
William R. Davie	George Hanger
Casualties and losses
1 wounded	15 killed 40 wounded

The Battle of Wahab's Plantation was a surprise attack during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on September 21, 1780. Patriot soldiers, led by William R. Davie, attacked a camp of Loyalists. Loyalists were American colonists who supported the British during the war.

The Loyalist camp included some British soldiers. They were camped on the west side of the Catawba River. General Charles Cornwallis and his main British army were on the east side. The plantation belonged to Captain James A. Walkup. He helped guide Davie's soldiers before the attack. There are different ways to spell the plantation's name, like Walkup or Wahab.

Davie's Patriots completely surprised the Loyalists. They drove them back and caused many injuries. Davie and his men quickly left before the main British army could arrive. In revenge for the attack, the British later burned Captain Walkup's house.

Why the Battle Happened

The British had a plan to win the American Revolutionary War. They wanted to control the southern colonies. This was called the "southern strategy." Early in 1780, British forces captured Charleston, South Carolina. They also pushed the American Continental Army out of South Carolina.

After a big victory at the Battle of Camden in August 1780, British General Lord Cornwallis paused. His army rested in the Waxhaws area of northern South Carolina. Cornwallis believed the British and Loyalists controlled Georgia and South Carolina. So, he decided to move north into North Carolina. He wanted to deal with the remaining American forces there. In mid-September, he started moving toward Charlotte, North Carolina.

American soldiers from North Carolina watched Cornwallis's movements. One group, led by Thomas Sumter, bothered British outposts in South Carolina. Another group, led by Major William R. Davie, stayed close to Cornwallis's army. Davie learned that Loyalist cavalry and British light infantry were camped behind Cornwallis's main force. He decided to try a surprise attack on one of these camps.

The Attack

William Davie, a leader of the Patriot militia

On the evening of September 20, Davie and his men rode out. They found the Loyalist camp at Wahab's Plantation. It was not far from another British camp. Davie sent William Lee Davidson and some men through a cornfield. Their job was to attack the plantation house.

Davie then moved his main force up the lane toward the camp. The surprise was almost perfect. The Loyalists quickly ran away. Fifteen Loyalists were killed, and 40 more were wounded.

After the Battle

Davie did not stay long at the Loyalist camp. The nearby British infantry had noticed the fighting and were getting ready to attack. Davie quickly took 96 horses and 120 muskets from the camp. Then, he and his men retreated north.

A few days later, Davie's forces met British soldiers again. This happened when the British entered Charlotte, North Carolina.