Friday, June 12
"Go and learn things" is an expression used on one of my favorite tv shows. Today we took a day trip to Camden, where we learned many things. Camden is located about 60 miles north of us, not too far from Columbia. Camden was established in 1733, following a decree from George II in 1730. This decree established a series of townships which were designed to attract small farmers to the colony as well as protect them from foreign powers. Camden is the oldest inland town in South Carolina.
Camden is the site of two major revolutionary war battles; the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Hobkirk Hill.
Our first stop was at Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site. This 107 acre site is a national historic district and open-air museum. It is located at the original site of the town of Camden.
At the time of the Revolution, Camden consisted of two city blocks and military barracks. It was surrounded by a palaside log fence and further protected by five redoubts.
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| palaside log fence |
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| redoubt (protective barrier). redoubts usually consisted of a combination of moat, earthen parapet and palaside wall |
We began our tour at the Camden Historic Exchange...
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| Cunningham house. today it houses a gift shop and information center. |
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| Dr. John McCaa house |
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| John Craven house. the window frames, one closet door, wainscoting and chimney are all original |
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| interior of Craven house. John was an accountant |
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| another view |
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| love the tall windows |
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| taking a break while Ron looks in the house |
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| Drakeford house. paliside fence along side of home |
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| hanging in the shade. Drakeford and Bradley homes in background |
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| Bradley house |
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| side view |
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| love the chimney. flat sandstones (rare for the area) were used in the chimney |
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| in front of Drake house |
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| cooling off on the porch of the Drake house |
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Kershaw house in background. this area, between the Kershaw house
and Camden, was known as the "Common"; it was used for numerous
military exercises and parade grounds throughout the years |
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| Kershaw house. John Kershaw was a prominent citizen of Camden |
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| one of the redoubts located near the Kershaw house |
Our next stop was the Battle of Camden battlefield...
The battle of Camden, fought on August 16, 1780, was one of the worst defeats ever suffered by an American Army, as well as the worst defeat of the Revolutionary War...
Following the battle, the British put Camden under strict military rule. Rebel sympathizers were forced to flee, or if captured, were confined with military prisoners. Many, including young Andrew Jackson and his brother, were imprisoned in the small-pox infested gaol just up the street. Jackson watched the battle of Hobkirk Hill from the gaol's second story window.
Our next stop...
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| Hobkirk Hill is a ridge running east and west for about a half mile in the northern part of present-day Camden |
This battle, which took place on April 25, 1781, was the result of an American attempt to dislodge the British from Camden. This, too, failed. Less than two weeks after the Americans defeat at Hobkirk Hill, the British hurriedly abandoned Camdon. They pillaged and burned the town as they left. A few buildings, most notably the Kershaw house, remained.
This battle took place in what is now residential district of Camden. A driving tour takes you through this area where you can view historic homes (many of which are on the National Historic Register) and some monuments. The driving tour ends fittingly enough, at the the Revolutionary War Memorial...
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| it's very disheartening to see these memorials falling into disrepair |
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| the Camden Oak. this oak tree was a sapling at the time of the battles |
Today was a great day. We learned many interesting things and had a lot of fun doing so!
Til next time,
Dawn, Ron & Cooper
