REMEMBERING THE “SNOW CAMPAIGN”

-Compatriot Jim Livingston

There is an interesting coupling of battles in SC back country during the American Revolution. Let’s begin with Cotter’s wagon load seized at Mine Creek alongside Charleston Road in current Saluda County.

After the Loyalist encounter of a wagon load of ammunition aimed to assist the Native Americans, the British forces understandably confiscated the material. While one shot was fired in the explosive vicinity no one is known to have been injured at the site. In 2010 the chapter Sons of the American Revolution that represents Saluda County, at anniversary of the 1775 encounter ceremoniously dedicated a historic marker near the site (SC Hwy 121).

There was understandable outrage at the is understanding and general confusion one would imagine at such shipment to arm “the savages”. Henry Drayton and other contemporary officials were deeply involved in the follow-up. In the couple weeks it took to get to Star Fort Ninety-Six, contention continued to brew. It was there at the fort that in 1775 the first bloodshed of the war in our backcountry took place, commonly considered the beginning of backcountry war.

A few weeks following the Star Fort killings, about four miles within Cherokee territory, an area of desirable cane on Reedy River (Called “the Great Canebrake”, Current Greenville County, SC) saw fighting. Colonel Richardson mustered about 4,000 Patriot Militia, fighting farmers. Many of these Patriots were from modern Newberry and Saluda Counties. Near dawn of 22 December 1775 six British Loyalists were killed and 130 taken prisoner. The heavy snow fall near end this conflict provided the name of “Snow Campaign”.

[ Photo: Compatriot Jim Livingston descendant of Patriot Henry Dominick who fought at the Great Canebrake in December 1775, salutes the SAR Chapter wreath and memory of Patriots at battle sight ceremony on December 3, 2011. Photo- Normal Pigeon].

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CALEB GRIFFITH WINS NATIONAL!

On April 15, 2011 the General James Williams Chapter, SCS Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) awarded Caleb Griffith of Saluda a certificate of achievement and a $100 cash prize for his entry in the SAR Americanism Poster Contest. This year's theme in the contest was the Battle of Cowpens. His entry was forwarded to the National SAR Poster Contest.

Winners from each state society were displayed and voted on at the National Congress in Winston-Salem, NC. There were 15 state societies that participated in the contest.

On July 23 at the Board of Governors meeting of the S. C. Society, SAR, it was announced that Caleb won the National Poster Contest as well. He presented an award and a savings bond of $300 by SC SAR President Mark Anthony on August 20 at the annual Musgrove Mill Commemorative.

Caleb's poster can be viewed on the National society's website at:

http://www.sar.org/News/2011-Americanism-Poster-Contest-Winners-Announced

Caleb is home-schooled and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Gary Griffith of Saluda. He is saving up his money from the awards to purchase diving gear.

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The Newberry Observer editor - Nathan Christophel - receives award from the Gen. James Williams Chapter given by Jim Livingston.

A Backcountry Holiday at Ninety Six

 Photos taken at Ninety SIX