The Legion in The Carolinas
Elements of the Legion fought at the siege of Savannah in 1779. The Legion as a whole was part of the British force that besieged and captured Charleston in 1780. The regiment participated in many battles in Clinton's South Carolina campaign, defeating General Isaac Huger and Lieutenant William Washington at Monck's Corner, dispersing another American force at Lenud's Ferry, and routing a column under the hapless Colonel Abraham Buford at the controversial Waxhaw massacre.
During 1780, the Legion received reinforcements in the form of more drafts from Emmerich's Chausseurs and the Prince of Wales' American Volunteers, and the permanent attachment of the Bucks County Dragoons.
After Lord Cornwallis took command of the southern Crown forces, the Legion participated in his defeat of General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden, nearly caught Thomas Sumter at Fishing Creek, were hit by a surprise attack at Wahab's Plantation, and pinned a rebel force at Charlotte, North Carolina, until the remainder of the British force could come up.
Throughout the autumn of 1780, the Legion took part in anti-guerrilla operations, attempting to hunt down Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter and engaging in combat at Fishdam Ford and Blackstock's. The Legion seized and destroyed property in punitive attempts to suppress support for the guerrillas.
In January 1781, the Legion was part of the force under Tarleton defeated by Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. The regiment suffered heavily in this action, particularly its infantry arm. After Cowpens, the remaining Legion infantry either transferred to the cavalry or joined the garrison of Charleston. From this point forward, the active British Legion was a cavalry force only.
After regrouping, the regiment led Cornwallis' movement into North Carolina in search of the American army under Nathanael Greene, seeing action at Cowan's Ford and Tarrant's Tavern.
The Legion was taken onto the American Establishment on March 7, 1781, as the 5th American Regiment. This made them an official part of the British Army, rather than provincial (local) troops.
On the 15th of March, the regiment fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Read more about this topic: British Legion (American Revolution)
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