On this day 250 years ago at a ford on the Tugaloo River in present-day Oconee County, South Carolina, Capt. Andrew Pickens led his company of South Carolina militia in attacking a band of Cherokee warriors. Pickens dispersed the Cherokees without the loss of any men killed or wounded. Pickens would go on to become one of the most distinguished military officers in the Revolution rising to the rank of brigadier general. After the War he served several terms in the South Carolina state legislature and one term representing South Carolina in the United States Congress.
Sources: Parker’s Guide at 358; https://revolutionarywar.us/year-1776/; https://revolutionarywarjournal.com/brigadier-general-andrew-pickens/
On this day 250 years ago in New York, merchant William Paulding, who had previously chaired the committee of safety of Tarrytown was appointed by the New York state legislature as commissary for the State’s militia. Paulding personally backed some of the debts that he incurred as commissary, but the State of New York and the Continental Congress did not reimburse him and he would spend some time in a debtor’s prison as a result. We should remember and honor not only our Founders who sacrificed life and limb, but also the Patriots like Paulding who sacrificed their fortunes for American Liberty.
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