After the surrender of Charleston on May 12, 1780, there was only one organized Patriot formation left in SC.
These men were located in Waxhaws along the SC/NC border.
Tarleton led his cavalry in a charge against these patriots on May 29, 1780. The Patriot formation broke so the Patriots had to surrender. After a surrender, the victorious side should give quarter which means to act civil and take the defeated soldiers as prisoners and treat them humanely. Banistre Tarleton and his men did not give quarter. They shot the defeated Patriots after their surrender. "Tarleton's Quarter" became known as a brutal death at the hands of a cowardly foe.
The Patriots used Tarleton's tactics against him. They used his brutality to rally Carolinians against the British army and toward the Patriot Cause.
These men were located in Waxhaws along the SC/NC border.
Tarleton led his cavalry in a charge against these patriots on May 29, 1780. The Patriot formation broke so the Patriots had to surrender. After a surrender, the victorious side should give quarter which means to act civil and take the defeated soldiers as prisoners and treat them humanely. Banistre Tarleton and his men did not give quarter. They shot the defeated Patriots after their surrender. "Tarleton's Quarter" became known as a brutal death at the hands of a cowardly foe.
The Patriots used Tarleton's tactics against him. They used his brutality to rally Carolinians against the British army and toward the Patriot Cause.