Battles & Campaigns · 1781
Battle of Hobkirk's Hill
Hobkirk's Hill, Camden, South Carolina, USA
What happened
Greene's army was camped on Hobkirk's Hill, north of Camden. Rawdon's British troops attacked, and after a fierce clash Greene retreated and left the hill to Rawdon. That afternoon American cavalry drove off British dragoons and Greene reoccupied the site.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a British victory, but part of Greene's wider campaign to wear down the British garrisons in South Carolina. Within two weeks Rawdon abandoned Camden.
What came next
Rawdon left Camden on 9 May 1781. Greene then besieged the British post at Ninety Six.
Did you know?
Future US president Andrew Jackson saw the battle while held as a prisoner in the Camden jail.
Timeline
- 25 April 1781Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.
- 9 May 1781Rawdon abandons Camden.
- 22 May 1781Siege of Ninety Six begins.