The Battle of Wahab's Plantation was a surprise attack on a Loyalist camp, which included elements of the British Legion commanded by Banastre Tarleton (although at the time of the battle Tarleton had yellow fever and was not in command), by Patriot militia under the command of William R. Davie on September 21, 1780. The owner of the plantation was militia Captain James A. Walkup who served as a guide for Davie prior to the attack. Confusion has arisen over the spelling of the name Wahab as there are many spellings of the surname including, Walkup/Wahab/Wauchope/Waughup. The Loyalists were camped on the west side of the Catawba River while General Charles Cornwallis' army had camped on the east side. Davie opportunistically decided to attack the Loyalist camp, and succeeded in driving them back in complete surprise and with heavy casualties. He retreated before the British regulars arrived. The latter, as was customary, burned down Captain Walkup's plantation.[2]
Cornwallis' movements were shadowed by companies of North Carolina militia. One force under Thomas Sumter stayed back and harassed British and Loyalist outposts in the South Carolina backcountry, while another, under Major William R. Davie, maintained fairly close contact with portions of his force as it moved northward.[1] When he learned that companies of Loyalist dragoons and British light infantry were encamped to the rear of Cornwallis' army, he decided to attempt a surprise attack on one of those camps.
Riding off on the evening of September 20, he located the Loyalist camp at Wahab's Plantation, not far from the light infantry camp. Sending William Davidson and a company of men through a cornfield to take the plantation house, he began moving up the lane toward the camp. The surprise was practically complete, and the Loyalists took flight, leaving 15 dead and 40 wounded.
Aftermathedit
Davie did not linger at the Loyalist camp, as the infantry had taken notice and were beating to arms. He took away 96 horses and 120 muskets, and retreated to the north.[3] Davie again made contact with British forces a few days later when they entered Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pancake, John (1985). This Destructive War. University of Alabama Press. ISBN0-8173-0191-7.
Robertson, John. "Wahab's Plantation". Global Gazetteer of the American Revolution. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
April 15, 2024
battle, wahab, plantation, part, american, revolutionary, wardateseptember, 1780locationpresent, union, county, north, carolina34, 86084, 76265, 86084, 76265resultpatriot, victorybelligerentspatriot, militia, great, britain, loyalistscommanders, leaderswilliam. Battle of Wahab s PlantationPart of the American Revolutionary WarDateSeptember 21 1780Locationpresent day Union County North Carolina34 51 39 N 80 45 46 W 34 86084 N 80 76265 W 34 86084 80 76265ResultPatriot victoryBelligerentsPatriot militia Great Britain LoyalistsCommanders and leadersWilliam R DavieGeorge HangerCasualties and losses1 wounded15 killed40 wounded 1 The Battle of Wahab s Plantation was a surprise attack on a Loyalist camp which included elements of the British Legion commanded by Banastre Tarleton although at the time of the battle Tarleton had yellow fever and was not in command by Patriot militia under the command of William R Davie on September 21 1780 The owner of the plantation was militia Captain James A Walkup who served as a guide for Davie prior to the attack Confusion has arisen over the spelling of the name Wahab as there are many spellings of the surname including Walkup Wahab Wauchope Waughup The Loyalists were camped on the west side of the Catawba River while General Charles Cornwallis army had camped on the east side Davie opportunistically decided to attack the Loyalist camp and succeeded in driving them back in complete surprise and with heavy casualties He retreated before the British regulars arrived The latter as was customary burned down Captain Walkup s plantation 2 Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 References 5 SourcesBackground editMain article Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War Pursuant to the British southern strategy for winning the American Revolutionary War British forces had captured Charleston South Carolina early in 1780 and had driven Continental Army forces from South Carolina Following his successful routing of a second Continental Army at Camden in August 1780 British General Lord Cornwallis paused with his army in the Waxhaws region of northern South Carolina Believing British and Loyalist forces to be in control of Georgia and South Carolina he decided to turn north and address the threat posed by the Continental Army remnants in North Carolina In mid September he began moving north toward Charlotte North Carolina Cornwallis movements were shadowed by companies of North Carolina militia One force under Thomas Sumter stayed back and harassed British and Loyalist outposts in the South Carolina backcountry while another under Major William R Davie maintained fairly close contact with portions of his force as it moved northward 1 When he learned that companies of Loyalist dragoons and British light infantry were encamped to the rear of Cornwallis army he decided to attempt a surprise attack on one of those camps Battle edit nbsp William Davie portrait by Gilles Louis ChretienRiding off on the evening of September 20 he located the Loyalist camp at Wahab s Plantation not far from the light infantry camp Sending William Davidson and a company of men through a cornfield to take the plantation house he began moving up the lane toward the camp The surprise was practically complete and the Loyalists took flight leaving 15 dead and 40 wounded Aftermath editDavie did not linger at the Loyalist camp as the infantry had taken notice and were beating to arms He took away 96 horses and 120 muskets and retreated to the north 3 Davie again made contact with British forces a few days later when they entered Charlotte North Carolina References edit a b Pancake 1985 p 116 https www ncpedia org wahabs plantation battle Lee p 195Sources editMemoirs of Henry Lee Pancake John 1985 This Destructive War University of Alabama Press ISBN 0 8173 0191 7 Robertson John Wahab s Plantation Global Gazetteer of the American Revolution Retrieved 2009 06 22 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Wahab 27s Plantation amp oldid 1208270544, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
