Battle of Tulifinny Hill

By May 5, 1779, the defensive line of the South Carolina Lowcountry had compressed significantly. Following the narrow escape of Colonel John Laurens at Coosawhatchie just two days prior, General William Moultrie consolidated his remaining forces on the elevated plateau of Tullifinny Hill. This location was tactically superior to the river bottomlands, offering the Patriot militia and Continental regulars a commanding view of the main road and the surrounding marshy approaches. Moultrie knew that if the British broke through here, there were few natural barriers left to stop them before they reached the Ashley River.

The engagement at Tullifinny was characterized by a disciplined, fighting retreat. As the British vanguard—composed of the 71st Highlanders and light infantry—pressed the Patriot center, Moultrie utilized his artillery to rake the road and stall the British columns. Unlike the chaotic crossing at Coosawhatchie, the Patriots at Tullifinny held their positions with greater resolve, exchanging heavy volleys of musket fire from behind improvised earthworks and the thick tree line of the hill.

Despite the strong defensive position, the weight of General Prevost’s nearly 4,000-man army began to tell. Realizing that he risked being surrounded by superior British numbers, Moultrie executed a masterful withdrawal. He pulled his men off the hill in good order, retreating toward the Salkehatchie River and leaving the British to occupy the heights. This battle was the final major coordinated stand in the Jasper and Beaufort districts during the 1779 campaign, as the Patriots shifted their focus entirely to the defense of the state capital.

Historical Significance

• The Last Stand of the District: The fall of Tullifinny Hill marked the end of formal Patriot military control in the southern parishes, officially beginning the “Military Occupation” of the region by British forces.
• Preserving the Army: By choosing a tactical retreat over a fight to the finish, Moultrie preserved the core of his fighting force, which would eventually be vital for the defense of Charleston’s landward lines.
• The Road to Charleston: The British victory at Tullifinny “unlocked” the remaining coastal interior, allowing Prevost to begin his infamous march through the Combahee and Edisto river systems.