[Ref 14 Jan 1782] [p.18] A third skirmish was fought near Dorchester on January 14, 1782. Major Thomas Fraser surprised a party of Continental dragoons belonging to Baylor's Regiment, and captured Lieutenarit John Kelty, with seven of his troops.

[p.33] Upon the adjournment of the Jacksonborough Assembly [February 26, 1782], General Greene moved his camp from Skirving's plantation to Bacons Bridge, at the head of Ashley River. This was the bridge two miles above the fort at Dorchester; Bacons Bridge corresponded to the modern highway bridge on S.C. 165 across the Ashley River in southern Dorchester County. Greene's encampment was located at the crossroads just west oŁ the bridge, and the army remained at this position throughout the spring of 1782.

[Ref 21 Apr 1782] [p.35] On the morning of April 21, the Patriot cavalry under Captain Ferdinand O'Neal proceeded across Bacons Bridge to patrol the east side of Ashley River in the direction of the Quarter House. O'Neal soon discovered that a party of British horse under Captain George Dawkins had penetrated north of the American position as far as Slanns Bridge (where U.S. 17-A now crosses the Ashley River). The Patriots advanced rapidly toward the town of Dorchester and encountered the British patrol as it was leaving the village on its return southward. The two cavalry units charged each other, but before either side had gained an advantage, a second party of enemy cavalry, dismounted and armed with carbines, ambushed the Americans. O'Neal's men took the only avenue of retreat open to them, heading directly away from the river on the Gaillard Road. The Americans lost three or four killed and wounded, and nine men and fifteen horses captured by the enemy.6 The engagement evidently took place on the eastern outskirts of Dorchester near the bridge over Bossua or Boshoe Creek, which is today known as Dorchester Creek. Several roads in the country north of Charleston have been called Gaillard Road, but it seems clear that the Gaillard Road referred to in connection with this skirmish was the public road leading from Dorchester to Moncks Corner by way of Goose Creek, or modern state secondary road 230 in Dorchester County.

Related locations:
Fort Dorchester   Fair Spring   Horse Savannah   Dorchester Creek   Dorchester Road  

Confidence level:: See above.