Posted by Christina on July 12, 2001 at 13:33:42:
This came across the news desk today...if any of you are down our way or want to road trip, this should be very good. "Patriot" fans will love it..
THE BATTLE OF HUCK'S DEFEAT REENACTMENT
Saturday & Sunday, July 14 & 15, 2001
HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, S.C.
Experience the tumultuous life of the Patriots during
the American Revolution at Historic BrattonsvilleTM
Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, as the Battle
of Huck's Defeat is recreated on its original site 223
years later.
Military props used in the movie “The Patriot” will be on display.
There will also be a silent auction of autographed
pictures of principal actors and other memorabilia from the movie.
The diverse range of programs at this event is sure to instill visitors with the patriotic fervor of the
people of 18th century America. Family activities will include a hands-on children's area playing
traditional games and making clay marbles and colonial hats. Period music will feature
dulcimer, violin and bagpipes. There will also be an 18th-century Merchants Row including
antique gun makers, period clothing, and blacksmithing. Special activities for both days include
the British Oath of Allegiance, programs on 18th century music, visits with American and British
commanders, militia drills, cooking demonstrations, Bratton's Tavern interpretation, field
surgeons and herb women, Captain Huck's raid on the Bratton home, and speeches by Patriots
and Tories.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, including walking shoes. The Battle
Reenactment site is approximately one mile from the village. A concession area with hotdogs
will be available at the village, and drinks at the battle site.
The Battle of Huck's Defeat was the first significant victory
after the devastating fall of Charleston to the British. When
all seemed to be lost, the patriot militia fought a battle
against the dreaded Green Dragoons and their redcoat
and militia supporters and won. On Saturday at 2 p.m., the
battle re-enactment will take place on the original
battleground with over 200 re-enactors from throughout
the Southeast. On Sunday at 2 p.m., re-enactors will
present a battle demonstration that portrays the tactics of
18th century warfare. Both exciting venues will be narrated
for the most complete experience possible.
The Battle of Huck's Defeat was a significant turning point for
the back country during the American Revolution. Early on the
morning of July 12, 1780, a battle was fought near the home
of Col. William Bratton in York County, South Carolina, which
was to have far-reaching consequences for the Patriot cause
in the American Revolution. This engagement is known as the
Battle of Williamson's Plantation or, more popularly, simply as
"Huck's Defeat."
The day before the battle, a detachment of about 115 British
Loyalists or "Tories" under the command of Captain Christian
Huck had arrived at the Bratton plantation looking for Colonel
Bratton and other local leaders of the Patriot militia. Huck's
force consisted of elements of Banastre Tarleton's hated
British Legion (the "Green Dragoons,"), the New York
Volunteers, and a large body of Tory militia. For over a month
these troops, based at Rocky Mount in Fairfield County, had
roamed the upstate, destroying homes and terrorizing the
area Patriots, or "Whigs" as they were commonly known.
Huck arrived at Brattonsville on the evening of July 11, threatened Bratton's wife, Martha, with
her life, and was informed that her husband was not at home. Huck encamped his men in a field
surrounding the house of James Williamson, a neighbor of the Brattons. Unknown to Captain
Huck, several companies of the local Patriot militia were proceeding from Thomas Sumter's
camp in northern Lancaster County for the purpose of intercepting and halting the British
advance. The Whigs were commanded by several well-known militia officers from York, Chester
and Fairfield Counties, including Col. Bratton, Col. William Hill, Col. Andrew Neal, Col. Edward
Lacey, Col. Richard Winn, Capt. John McClure and Capt. John Moffett.
The combined Whig force, consisting of about 250 mounted soldiers, rode through the night and
arrived at Brattonsville just before daybreak on the morning of the 12th. The Whigs caught the
Tories completely by surprise and, in a brief and very one-sided battle, succeeded in almost
annihilating Captain Huck's command. Huck and several of his officers were killed, along with a
sizeable portion of the Loyalist troops, and many of the Tories were wounded; the survivors were
captured and later exchanged with the British for Patriot prisoners. The Whigs suffered only one
casualty. This brief engagement had the two-fold effect of rallying support for the Patriot cause in
the upstate, and demonstrating to the British that South Carolina was not a "conquered
province," as they had often boasted after the surrender of Charleston in May 1780. The Battle
of Huck's Defeat galvanized the Patriots in South Carolina and helped pave the way for the
larger victories at King's Mountain, Cowpens, and ultimately the British surrender at Yorktown in
1781.
Schedule and admission:
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with the battle re-enactment at 2 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., with tactical military demonstration (a fantasy battle) at 2 p.m.
Non-member admission per day is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $3 for students. Children
under the age of 5 are free.