Other names:

What:
Nov 1780, *Col. Elijah Clarke vs. unk. Loyalist cdr.

Where: 34.45983793 -82.3020636 Rutledge's Ford

Maps: [map notes]

• 34.45983793 -82.3020636 Rutledge's Ford
• ACME Mapper.
• National Map
• Google
• GNIS record for Rutledge Ford. Note mapping options.
• Confidence: 5(ford), 3(Hoil's)

Sources:

• Terry Lipscomb, Battles, Skirmishes and Actions of the American Revolution in South Carolina, 1991, SC Department of Archives and History, p.10

  76. Rutledge's Ford, ca. 1 Dec, Abbeville-Laurens, NSC 30: 12

• Terry Lipscomb, Names in South Carolina, XXX, Winter 1983, p.12, "South Carolina Revolutionary Battles - Part 10", English Dept., Univ. of SC

  On the Saluda River about four miles east of Honea Path, there is another skirmish site that is of more geographical than historical interest. The incident happened in 1780 after the Battle of Blackstock's (NSC XXIII:33). Sumter's forces proceeded northward after that engagement; as they passed the iron works on Lawson Fork Creek, there was a division of forces, and the Georgians under Elijah Clarke, John Twiggs, and Benjamin Few struck out westward along the foothills of the mountain. They were soon joined by South Carolina troops under Samuel Hammond, James McCall, and Moses Liddell. The immediate object of the expedition was to attack a Loyalist fort at "Hoil's old place" on the Saluda River. From Hammond's account, this must have been located in present Greenville County in the general vicinity of the S.C. 86 bridge; the only clue to this puzzling reference is that there was an early settler in Ninety Six District by the name of Hoyle. Upon learning that the Patriots were approaching, the Tories abandoned the fort and crossed the Saluda at Rutledge's Ford, seventeen or eighteen miles down stream. The opposing parties fought a skirmish across Rutledge Shoals at rifle range. Although they were separated by the Saluda River, this affair was conducted in such deadly earnest that several people were killed on both sides.¹⁴ This rocky ford on the Saluda was located about three quarters of a mile south of the Indian Boundary line, which now divides Anderson and Greenville counties from Abbyville and Laurens counties. The ford has been replaced by a bridge on a secondary road.

  ¹⁴ Johnson, Traditions, pp. 526, 530. Johnson arranged Samuel Hammond's narratives out of chronological order in his book; the account beginning on page 530 should be read in sequence after the one ending on page 526.

• Johnson, Joseph, Traditions and Reminiscences, Chiefly of the American Revolution in the ..., 1851, Walker & James

  [p.526]
  General Sumter, although badly wounded, continued with his troops, carried on an uncomfortable litter, until they passed Berwick's iron works ; after which, his command was divided. A part continued with the general as an escort, until they reached North-Carolina, while the Georgians, commanded by Twiggs, Clarke, Candler and B. Fiew, turned westward, and in a few days marched towards Ninety-Six, taking their course along the foot of the mountains.
  ...
  [p.530]
  The Georgians were soon joined by the South-Carolinians, under McCall, S. Hammond and Liddle, and proceeded to attack a party of loyalists, forted near Colonel Hoils' old establishment, on the Saluda. They marched all night and reached the post at daylight, but the enemy had evacuated it a little before our arrival, and passed the Saluda, at Rutledge's ford, a very rough and roeky pass. Here a smart skirmish took place at long shot across the river, and several men were killed on both sides. After this, Colonel Twiggs retreated seventeen or eighteen miles, to Hoil's old place, and rested there.

• NBBAS:Two p.373-374.
  Revlist post

• RevWar75  
  
• Nov 1780 listing   11/1780, Rutledge's Ford (Hoil's Old Place). American victory. Per O'Kelley.

Related locations:

Confidence level:: See above.