Forgotten Revolutionary War Battlefield Skeletons Discovered | Battle of Camden
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Published 2023-06-05
History Hit has been up close to a remarkable story from the American War of Independence, exploring the history and attending the commemorations for the dead of the bloody battle of Camden, 1780.
Travelling to South Carolina for this special film, Dan Snow investigates some exceptional historic and archaeological discoveries that reveal the course of the battle, meeting key historians, archaeologists and forensics experts.
The excavations have uncovered 14 of the fallen - men buried in shallow graves where they died on the battlefield. They have been carefully exhumed, ready for formal memorial. Dan attends the moving services for these men and boys from both sides of the conflict - many of the dead were just teenagers when they died. We witness them being given military honours on the battlefield where they fell.
Dan also finds out about the southern sector of the Revolutionary War, a decisive but often forgotten theatre of that conflict, out of which emerged the United States.
In making this film, we were very pleased to film interviews with experts from the South Carolina Battleground Trust, the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina and the Richland County Coroner’s office.
If you would like to find out more, useful information can be accessed through the South Carolina Battleground Trust website:
www.scbattlegroundtrust.org/archeologists-historia…
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All Comments (21)
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So, I'm a Civil War reenactor. This July, I'll be part of a ceremony moving a Civil War soldier from where he lays to a monument in the town he founded. As I see it, this is one of the duties of a reenactor... the preservation of memory and reminding people that history is made by human beings like you and me, not statues. If you've never been part of a ceremony where you give a man his name back in front of his descendants, well, it's one of the most poignant and significant things one can do as a historian.
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Now this is what l call a history documentary. Beautifully accurate presentation. Thanks Dan & team.
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This is such a special and touching story. Very well done. My fifth great-grandfather, John Parker of Lewes, Delaware, fought at Camden. He was a soldier of the Delaware Continentals from the beginning to the end of the American Revolution. His Delawares lost so many soldiers that they were merged with the Marylanders. He fought at Camden in the Marylanders and survived, retiring on the land the government gave him in payment for his service in 1783. He died in Hancock County, Georgia in 1793. Thank you for producing this. It helped me understand what they all endured and how incredibly brave they all were and allowed me to see the battlefield.
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Fun fact: the city where I live, Charlotte NC (60 miles north of Camden) has the nickname "The Hornet's Nest" and hosts the NBA team the Charlotte Hornets, who got their name from General Lord Cornwallis referring to the area in a letter as "a hornet's nest of revolutionary activity"
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Fallen soldiers from both sides , now allies and friends , rest in peace.
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My 6th great grandfather was a Light Dragoon with Armand's Legion, he was captured at the Battle of Camden and spent 3 years as a prisoner of the British. Fantastic documentary, thank you!
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As a retired US Army officer, past National Commander of the Scottish-American Military Society, and historian of the American War of Independence please accept my sincere gratitude for the quality of your production and the respect shown our fallen comrades. I’ve been a fan since watching you and your father on the BBC many years ago.
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To the people who organised and saw the whole process from finding to burial with honours: well done, it was beautiful and touching. Having served in unit that had pipes & drums, and also having buried young soldiers, it was so fitting for the pipes to be played at the grave. “At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. We will remember them.”
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I almost expected the Scottish regiment to return the bodies home to bury there. But glad it was seen to reinter at the site of their deaths and honored as war veterans from both sides of the conflict, even though they lost. Such as it is with our Civil War vets on both sides.
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As an American soldier l cannot fathom going into a major conflict without a British allie along side;its ironic that the revolutionary war gaves us our freedom but at the same time brought America and Britain closer togather as allies.May these soldiers rest in peace both sides.
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I was part of the cortege that day in Camden. Your presentation of the battle and the funeral was extremely tasteful and accurate. I remember seeing you in the attendance crowd and thinking you looked familiar. You are, like myself, somewhat distinctive by altitude. Rain threatened all morning, but we only received a brief shower at 8AM when the procession elements were assembling.
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Dan and the History Hit team are to be commended for their dignified and respectful presentation of this history documentary. Now, this is what a history documentary should be. I hope documentaries like this motivate others such myself to learn more about the world history that helped shape who we are today. Well done Dan!
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On either side of a vast ocean a mother stood weeping.
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This is truly incredible of how both sides are given a ceremonial service in honour of their service and sacrifice for their respective countries. I wish I was there to see the full ceremony .
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Absolutely adore that the Scottish soldier was given equal respect as someone fallen fighting for their country. From foes to inseparable. ❤
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A proper burial for both the American forces and the British. May their souls finally find peace. Well done.
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What a great tribute to all of the soldiers who died in this battle and finally received a proper burial. Not ashamed to admit it brought a few tears to my eyes.
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My 4x Great Grandfather was killed at the Battle of Camden. His 14 year old son survived which is why I’m here.
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Very well done. My family came here (Virginia) from Scotland (indentured) in 1646 courtesy of the British. They were more than happy to fight the British one hundred plus years later. And we have taken part in every war since then. Tom Boyte, GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71 Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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Great video as always. We recently had a similar ceremony in Ridgefield CT in 2022 where several bodies (2 Continental and 2 British) from the battle of Ridgefield were discovered during a home renovation under the foundation. It was a privilege to be able to participate in the ceremony
