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Musgrove Mill Historic Site

SC PICTURE PROJECT 1 Comment

SC Picture Project / Laurens County / Musgrove Mill Historic Site

On August 18, 1780, a group of Partisans achieved a victory against a troop of British and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War at the site of Musgrove Mill near Clinton. The mill and surrounding property belonged to Major Edward Musgrove and sat on the south side of the Enoree River. A detachment of around 500 British and Tories were encamped on the site, and 200 Patriots led by Colonel Charles McDowell traversed from the North Carolina border to attack the post on August 17, 1780, not realizing the number of British was so high.

Musgrove Mill

Mark Clifton of Charlotte, NC, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

Once the Patriots reached their destination, Colonel McDowell sent a group of men to scout the British camp. On the mission they encountered a small garrison of Tories, which resulted in a skirmish. The Partisans retreated and relocated to a ridge about a half-mile from the river. There they learned of the large number of troops camped at Musgrove Mill and altered their strategy. Their new plan was to lure the British into a trap by building fortifications across the river with three groups of Partisans hiding in wait in three positions. Another group would then incite the men to cross the river. Once the British and Loyalists reached the north side of the Enoree, they would be ambushed from the right, left, and center.

Musgrove Mill Bridge Ruins

Kathy Dickerson of Greenwood, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

The British fell for the trap, believing they were pushing back Partisans when they were actually being drawn into the line of fire. The Partisans waited until the British were within 70 yards before they attacked. The battle resulted in 60 British killed, 90 wounded, and 70 taken as prisoners. For the Partisans, four were killed, nine wounded. Following the battle, the Partisans retreated to the mountains of North Carolina, as they learned that British reinforcements from Camden were on their way. The victory, however, lifted the morale of the Patriots, who had just suffered a great defeat at Camden.

Musgrove Mill Marker

Kathy Dickerson of Greenwood, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

The Musgrove Mill State Historic Site features ruins such as those from the Musgrove home and mill as well as the masonry bridge crossing the Enoree River. The bridge once connected Major Musgrove’s gristmill to the north side of the river.

Musgrove Mill

Mark Clifton of Charlotte, NC, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

Visitors can wade into Horseshoe Falls along Cedar Shoals Creek or even paddle the Enoree River. An education center, guided tours, and walking trails also welcome guests interested in the site’s natural and military history.

Musgrove Mill

Larry Braun of Benton, MO, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

The Musgrove Mill State Historic Site actually sits on the border of three counties – Laurens, Spartanburg, and Union counties – though most of the park rests in Clinton. The Musgrove Mill Battle Site is listed in the National Register in Union County:

The battle of Musgrove’s Mill, fought on August 18, 1780, was an early American victory in the South during the Revolution. The successful surprise attack lead by American Colonel Charles McDowell on the British post at Musgrove’s Mill indicated a weakness in the British hold on the backcountry. American troops routed a combined detachment of British and Tories at a ford on the Enoree River, but were forced to retreat to the mountains of North Carolina when Loyalist forces converged on the area. In this battle, British losses included 60 killed, 90 wounded, and 70 taken prisoner. Four Americans were killed and nine wounded. Occurring at the same time as the American defeat at Camden, this victory gave the American cause a badly needed boost in morale. The National Register site includes the land north of the Enoree River ford as well as a triangular portion of land south of the Enoree, opposite the mouth of Cedar Shoals Creek, where Major Edward Musgrove’s plantation house was standing until it burned in 1971. This is the area where the British and Tories were encamped at the time of the battle.

Musgrove Mill Historical Marker


Musgrove Mill Historical Marker

Wille Faile of West Columbia, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

Plan Your Trip: Musgrove Mill Historic Site

Where is Musgrove Mill Historic Site located?
Address: 398 State Park Road, Clinton, SC 29325
GPS Coordinates: 34.593622,-81.852136
Website: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/musgrovemill/introduction.aspx
What else should I see?
Horseshoe Falls 0.4 mile
Cross Keys House 8.4 miles
Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church 9 miles
Lanford 12.2 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Clinton Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Forests and Nature Preserves
  • See other South Carolina Military
  • See other South Carolina Mills
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Revolutionary War
    Musgrove Mill Historic Site Map

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    Comments

    1. Lorayne Pate says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:06 AM

      I want to ask my family to go with me to see this one day. Is there a special festival day or re-enactment day coming up? Thanks. I live in Greer and they live in Hendersonville, NC.

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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