During the American Revolutionary War, the Pee Dee region of South Carolina was a strategic area where patriot militias, including those led by General Francis Marion—known as the “Swamp Fox”—conducted guerrilla warfare against British forces.
- Darlington County: In present-day Darlington County, the 1780 Battle of Hunt’s Bluff saw patriot forces ambush and capture a British supply boat on the Pee Dee River.
- Dillon County: While Dillon County did not witness major battles during the Revolutionary War, it was traversed by both patriot and British troops, serving as a crucial route for military movements.
- Florence County: Florence County was home to Snow’s Island, which served as General Francis Marion’s strategic base for launching guerrilla attacks against British forces.
- Lee County: The area now known as Lee County was the site of the Battle of Ratcliff’s Bridge in 1781, where patriot militias engaged and repelled British Loyalist troops.
- Marion County: In Marion County, General Francis Marion achieved victory at the Battle of Blue Savannah in 1780, successfully defeating a Loyalist militia.
- Marlboro County: Marlboro County served as a staging ground for patriot forces, with local militias conducting skirmishes to resist British control and protect the region.
- Williamsburg County: Williamsburg County was a significant center of patriot resistance, where General Francis Marion and his men utilized the swamps to conduct guerrilla warfare against British forces.
