Rocky Mount 1 August 1780

 

After the success at Williamson's Plantation Patriot militia recruiting brought mire groups into the field. Thomas Sumter was made a General and united a number of smaller commands under his command.  Not a great commander and a very hard individual to work with he continued to be a thorn in the side of various British commanders.  Eventually, do his poor tactical handling of troops he faded unto the background as better commanders like Pickens, Marion and Hampton took us place.  But in 1780 he was a driving force.  His first action was against the loyalist outpost of Rocky Mount.

  Lt.Colonel George Turnbull commanded  about160 New York Volunteers and 140 local militia.   The outpost was three buildings surrounded by a ditch and a abatis.  The larger house was reinforced to make it proof against musket shot.   Unlike Captain Huck Turnbull had the entire garrison turn out armed and ready each morning before dawn

Brigadier General Thomas Sumter commanded 300 North Carolina militia and 300 South Carolina militia.  Rather then wait for reinforcement or a cannon he determined to surprise the garrison and repeat Bratton's success.

Instead of a surprise it was the Patriots who were surprised.  Advancing down hill towards the garrison Summer's militia were under fire.   Turnbull seeing he was outnumbered ordered his men into the houses.

Caught out in the open the militia took casualties and one group broke and routed back.  Soon another group also broke.  The abitis held the militia and prevented them from closing to the houses.  Although Sumter wanted to continue the attack the remaining militia also broke and reluctantly he left the field.

Again not a very inspiring action.  It capture the spirit of Sumter in that he continued to attack with little ability and always heavy casualties.  Defeat dud not bother him and already he was ready to attack yet another loyalist post.  This time a encampment near Hanging Rock.