The Southern Campaign - The Battles of Camden and Musgrove Mill
The Revolutionary War in the South laid the groundwork for the eventual Patriot victory at Yorktown. There were many battles with both successes and defeats. Students will be asked to explore each southern battle with the primary essential question in mind. To guide them along this path, activities have been created that highlight certain aspects of southern battles, and where appropriate, show the connectivity of battles. Each battle will have a “Driving Question” that ties to the “Essential Question”. Students will be asked to complete activities that answer the “Driving Question”, culminating in a final project.
Lesson Created By: Lisa Ray and Lewis Huffman
Lesson Partners: National Parks Service, Sons of The America Revolution-National, Sons of The America Revolution-SC, ETV Education, Self Family Foundation
Essential Question
How did the South Carolina frontier experience affect the outcome of Revolutionary War battles fought during the Southern Campaign?
Driving Question: How did the technology and military tactics used in the battles of Camden and Musgrove Mill affect the outcomes of these battles?
Grade(s):
- 8
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Computer with internet access - White Board/Projection device to project the analysis sheet
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
This project can be completed without technology. The analysis sheet can be copied for students to use traditionally.
Lesson Progression
Background
At this point the British Southern Campaign has begun. Students should have an understanding of Revolutionary War vocabulary, and understand the British intention of establishing forts in key geographic points of the backcountry of SC to facilitate the movement of supplies and provisions, as well as their attempt to quell rebellion by partisan forces and citizens who may be loyal to the patriot cause. Most of these areas, Beaufort, Ninety-Six, Camden, and Georgetown, were captured shortly after the fall of Charles Town and formed the British perimeter within the state. It was therefore important for patriots to regain control of Camden as one step in pushing the British out of the South Carolina backcountry.
Step 1: Break students into groups, provide each group an Analysis Sheet that can be shared on individual tablets, or copied for each student in the group.
Step 2: Watch the video, Camden: Defeat and Destruction.
Step 3: Each student will complete the Southern Campaign Analysis Sheet for Camden.
Step 4: Watch the video, Musgrove Mill: A Ray of Hope.
Step 5: Each student will complete the Southern Campaign Analysis Sheet for Musgrove Mill.
Step 6: Students will compare notes of each battle within their group, noting both similarities and differences. Students will complete one group analysis sheet for each battle.
Step 7: The teacher will project the analysis sheet for Camden. Students from each group will contribute to a class analysis of the battle.
Step 8: The same will be done for the battle at Musgrove Mill with students creating a class analysis sheet for the battle.
Step 9: Students will complete the Exit Slip and answer the Driving Question.
About The Southern Campaign
The Southern Campaign of the American Revolution, picks up the story after the fall of Charleston in 1780. After catastrophes at The Waxhaws and Camden, victories in battles and skirmishes such as...
View AssetCamden: Defeat and Destruction | The Southern Campaign
On August 16, 1780, General Horatio Gates' army, joined by militia men from North Carolina and Virginia, marched south toward the British outpost in Camden, South Carolina. At the same time, Lt...
View AssetMusgrove Mill | The Southern Campaign
August 19th 1780, three days after the Battle of Camden, another battle was fought. British Provincials from Ninety Six were camped near Edward Musgrove’s grist mill on the Enoree River, with many...
View AssetResource to Share Information with Students
Exit Slip - Allows projection of exit slip.
View ResourceStandards
- 8.2.CO Compare the motives and demographics of loyalists and patriots within South Carolina and the colonies.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the economic, political, and social motivations of the patriots and the loyalists in the era of the American Revolution.
- 8.2.CE Explain the economic, political, and social factors surrounding the American Revolution.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the colonies began to unify to create a distinctive American identity over the course of events of the American Revolution.
- 8.2.CX Contextualize the roles of various groups of South Carolinians as the colonies moved toward becoming an independent nation.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the motivations of colonists during the American Revolution and the progression of conflict and failed compromise that ultimately led to revolution.
