Archaeologists locate the South Carolina battlefield where Patriot John Laurens died
Lieut. Col. John Laurens (Continental Army)
John Laurens was only 27 when he died in action at the Battle of Combahee River in August 1782 during the American Revolutionary War. He was in England at the start of the war studying law, but came back to the colonies, determined to join the fight on behalf of his country.
His father pulled some strings and got the 23 year old a position as a civilian aide-de-camp to General Washington. There he served alongside, and became friends with, future General and first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and famed Revolutionary War general Marquis de Lafayette.
After showing bravery in combat, he was commissioned as a Lieut. Col. to serve as Washington’s official ADC.
He was wounded in action four times in six battles before falling in his last one. For those who don’t know the story of this man, it’s worth a read. Alternatively, you could wait for me to do a Valor Friday piece for the Reader’s Digest version. 🙂
The spot where Laurens fell was thought to have been lost to history. This week researchers announced they’ve rediscovered it.
Today, the land is part of a private quail hunting preserve, so the archaeologists are surveying the site on a deadline—hunting season starts on November 23. The team found the spot where the Battle of Tar Bluff was fought by combining historical evidence like a hand-drawn map with modern technology like LIDAR and metal detectors. The site on the bank of the Combahee River was dotted with artifacts that allowed the archaeologists to retrace the battle, and find within ten yards where Laurens met his end. Now that the site has been discovered, the Trust can include it in the South Carolina Liberty Trail, a driving route that calls attention to sites in the state where battles and skirmishes of the American Revolution took place.
Source; Smithsonian Magazine
Category: Army, Historical, Valor, War Stories, We Remember
Bring us more on LTC Laurens Mason. A county near me is named for him and there is very little acknowledgment of his service. The County Seat is Dublin. The article does point out a little discussed fact I’ve known for years. Many of the Rev War Battle Sites were also sites of War Between The States Battles. And many are on private property, not open to the public. Probably one reason why they have been preserved and there are artifacts still findable.
LTC Laurens died a Soldier’s Death, doing his duty, facing the enemy, serving the guns.
Thanks Mason!
They can put up a statue to this brave man.
Only to have BLM call it racist and tear it down.
Thank You, Mason for sharing this…and on your comment “Alternatively, you could wait for me to do a Valor Friday piece for the Reader’s Digest version”:
Please do share LTC Lauren’s story.
Was not aware that LTC Lauren became the Aide-De-Camp to George Washington. Wonder if he is featured in AMC’s “Turn”? (Thank you to you and Poetrooper for turning the ninja family into big fans of that show).
Interesting tidbit about his Father, Henry:
“Henry Laurens, was captured at sea by the British and became the only American ever imprisoned in the Tower of London. In a negotiated prisoner exchange, he and Lord Conwalis, the British army general, both were liberated.”
* The Battle of Tar Bluff, 26-27 August 1782, is discussed here:
“Archaeologists Pinpoint Tar Bluff Location of Patriot John Laurens’ Death”
https://www.postandcourier.com/features/arts_and_travel/archaeologists-pinpoint-tar-bluff-location-of-patriot-john-laurens-death/article_98ce09bc-d1b0-11ea-9582-1fd6e47ae9d1.html
Tanks, (we DO have the best) ninja! Great read. Have bitched to the county “leaders” on their lack of info about LTC Laurens on websites ect. All of the “official” history of this area is either geared toward the one time that MLK came thru, or the Saint Paddy’s Day Parade. (not that there is anything wrong with those two times of interest) As I said, this is right down the road from me, friends, relatives, and business associates there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurens_County,_Georgia
rtr/hbtd/gabn
Another piece of Laurens County History that has been brushed aside. More info out there on 10 Cent Bill Yopp, a Black Confederate.
https://www.georgiacivilwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Bill_Yopp_Sign-GCWC.pdf
The Combahee River in that area is the boundary between Beaufort and Colleton County in SC. I’ve fished that stretch of the Combahee many times in my youth. I never knew it was the site of a Revolutionary War Battle.