SOUTH CAROLINA — As Americans celebrated Independence Day this year, a resurfaced reminder on social media reignited historical reflections about the critical role of Southern militias — particularly from South Carolina and North Carolina — in securing the nation’s freedom.
A post shared by a historian highlighted how backcountry militias in the upcountry regions of the Carolinas were instrumental in defeating British forces during the American Revolutionary War, especially in pivotal battles like Kings Mountain and Cowpens.
Southern Militia: The Forgotten Backbone of Independence
During the late 18th century, much of the Revolutionary War’s southern theater was dominated by guerrilla-style tactics and local resistance fighters. Unlike the formal Continental Army led by George Washington, many victories in the Southern colonies came at the hands of part-time fighters, farmers, and hunters defending their homeland.
One of the most iconic battles, The Battle of Kings Mountain (1780), involved a fierce clash between loyalist and patriot militias, with Southern frontiersmen routing British loyalist forces in South Carolina. This battle is widely considered a turning point in the Southern campaign — and ultimately the war…