The Horry Patriot

09/08/2026

Great event commemorating the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Eutaw Springs! 🇺🇸

08/04/2026

Attention! Upcoming National and State Event - 245th Anniversary Battle of Eutaw Springs. The Chapter will be participating in the memorial wreath laying event.
Flyer posted below:

07/29/2026

Francis Salvador (1747 – 1 August 1776) was an English-born American planter in the Province of South Carolina. Born into a Sephardic Jewish family in London, in 1774 he was the first professing Jew to be elected to public office in the American colonies when chosen for the Provincial Congress. He had joined the Patriot cause and in 1776 was the first Jew killed in the American Revolutionary War, fighting with the militia on the South Carolina frontier against Loyalists and their Cherokee allies.

On August 12, 1776 Andrew Pickens battled the Cherokee Indians in the Ring Fight and became known to them as the “wizard owl”.

In 1776, British-allied Cherokee began a campaign into southern and western colonial settlements, prompting a South Carolina backcountry militia led by Major Andrew Williamson to rise in defense of the colonial territories. Assisted by Captain Andrew Pickens, the force of 1,100 men initiated a scorched earth campaign, targeting Cherokee villages in western South Carolina.

On August 12th, 1776, Captain Pickens led a 25-man scouting party ahead of Williamson’s main body of militiamen. As Pickens’ squadron passed through a cornfield, they were ambushed by 185 Cherokee. Thinking quickly, Pickens ordered his vastly outnumbered force to form two rings facing outwards. The small inner ring and the larger outer ring took turns firing, allowing the inner ring to reload while the outer ring fired.

The Cherokee surrounded Pickens’ men in a circle of their own, and the two groups fired at each other from close range. Hand-to-hand combat ensued as the Cherokee attempted to break through the ring. The strategy bought enough time for Pickens’ brother to hear gunfire and enter with a relief party, forcing a Cherokee retreat into the woods. Nevertheless, both sides took heavy casualties. Pickens lost 11 of his 25 men. The Native Americans lost 65 men and left 14 wounded – a heavy cost for the Cherokee, who had only about 2000 warriors nationwide.

Pickens’ men buried the fallen Patriots in the abandoned Cherokee village of Tamassee, later setting the village ablaze to ensure that no resources remained for their enemy.

Little is known about the British-aligned Cherokee leadership in this encounter or how much they knew about the South Carolina militia’s whereabouts prior to Pickens’ approach. However, despite the struggle’s bloody outcome, the Cherokee developed a great respect for Pickens. They believed he was a brave warrior, and according to Pickens’ grandson, the Cherokee referred to the Patriot captain as Skyagunsta, or Wizard Owl. Pickens eventually became a neighbor to the Cherokee, building his final home near the battle site.

07/12/2026

Great second day at the 136th annual NSSAR Congress. Patriot grave markings, patriotic fellowship, NC Society host reception, and a visit from General Washington and First Lady Martha! Huzzah 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!

07/10/2026

Great kickoff to the 136th Annual NSSAR Congress today with a well attended Patriot grave marking ceremony and 250 Bench Dedication! Huzzah! 🇺🇸

06/09/2026

Col. Lemuel Benton Chapter, SCSSAR Summer Meeting and a special observance of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Horry County Museum 805 N. Main Street Conway, SC.

Social hour to follow:
Palmetto Taps, Taproom
909 4th Avenue
Conway, South Carolina 29526

05/13/2026

04/18/2026

Congratulations to our State Society new officers and incoming president Gary Blanpied! Special thanks to the Godfrey Dreher and Battle of Eutaw Springs chapters for hosting this year’s State Society meeting. Huzzah!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

04/18/2026

April 18, 1775 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

04/11/2026

Great opening day for the Horry County Museum exhibit highlighting Horry County during the Revolutionary War! Hope everyone gets a chance to check it out! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸