GREER, S.C. — With the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, it is appropriate to consider the role this area has played in the rich and storied history of our country. 

Few are even aware that, once upon a time at a shallow ford on the North Pacolet River, Patriot forces routed a group of British regulars and Loyalist militia. 

The skirmish became known as the Battle of Earle’s Ford and was one of several violent clashes between Loyalist and Patriot armies in both Carolinas, culminating with the Battle of King’s Mountain in October 1780.

The date of the Battle of Earle’s Ford is believed to have been July 15, 1780, though contemporary accounts vary on the exact day. 

What is known is that Loyalist forces had been soundly defeated on July 12 in what would later become known as the First Battle of Cedar Springs in Spartanburg County. 

Feeling confident after this victory, Colonel John Jones, a commander of the Georgia militia, left Cedar Springs for an expected rendezvous with Colonel Charles McDowell and his sizeable force of several North Carolina militia companies. 

This meeting was to be at Earle’s Ford, on the North Pacolet River along what is now South Carolina State Highway 14, between Landrum and Polk County, N.C.

On his way down the old Blackstock Road, Jones decided to surprise a group of Tories who were holed up in Gowen’s Fort, which was just alongside the road. 

Jones and approximately 22 of his Georgians got the upper hand and killed one Loyalist and wounded three before the enemy surrendered, fearing a much larger army of Patriots was on its way. 

Flush with victory, Jones and his men scurried on to meet Colonel McDowell, who was encamped with nearly 400 North Carolina militiamen at Earle’s Ford. 

Arriving late, Jones and his men set up camp along the banks of the river — with McDowell and his troops just on the other side of the North Pacolet.

Jones didn’t know that he was being pursued by British Major James Dunlap and a party of British Dragoons and Loyalist militia. 

Early in the morning Dunlap surprised the Georgians, killing and wounding some 38 of the gathered Patriot troops. Among the wounded was Colonel Jones. 

Dunlap had no idea that McDowell and his men were just across the river. He discovered much too late that he was greatly outnumbered. 

He ordered a hasty retreat and hightailed it for the British outpost at Fort Prince, some 20 miles away in Northern Spartanburg County. 

McDowell continued his pursuit and did considerable damage to the British column before the redcoats finally made it to the fort. 

A great many of the local Loyalists escaped into the woods and disappeared. And so, the Battle of Earle’s Ford ultimately became a Patriot victory.

Today a marker alongside the road at the river reminds passersby that an important part of early American history took place in this rather obscure spot.