The Southern Revolution: The Battle of Camden

Background
The British forces in the colonies were on a roll for the first half of 1780. Clinton's forces had captured Charleston at the end of a month-long siege, and the loss of the city and its defenders had the Continental army reeling. Following the defeat of the British at Saratoga, Congress appointed the self-aggrandizing Major General Horatio Gates as commander of the Southern Department. He inherited an army that in his own words was, "an army without strength, a military chest without money, a department apparently deficient in public spirit..." (Lancaster, 286).

Nevertheless, Gates aspired to the same kind of conveniently quick victory that earned him the nickname "The Hero of Saratoga." His target was a British outpost at the strategic crossroads of Camden in South Carolina. On June 25, he took command of Baron de Kalb's force, numbering 1,400 Delaware and Maryland troops, which had been originally sent south to reinforce General Lincoln at Charleston. Gates then proceeded to waste no time in making mistakes.

To begin with, Gates made his approach to Camden--ignoring the opinions of his subordinate officers--on a direct approach that led through barren swampland rather than take a more roundabout westward route. Although his force was augmented by North Carolina and Virginia militia in early August, his army lacked battle experience and suffered from rampant hunger and dysentery.

Still, Gates felt confident that Camden, with its 700-man force, would be an ideal target. Little did he know that Cornwallis had caught wind of his movements. The British general moved with his army to reinforce Camden, which now boasted two brigades numbering around 2,100 troops. Gates also underestimated his own numbers, thinking he commanded nearly 7,000 men; it was closer to 3,000. Informed of this, Gates responded that 3,000 men would suffice and pressed on, plotting a night march designed as a surprise attack.