Skirmish at Two Sisters’ Ferry

In the spring of 1780, the Savannah River remained the most contested border in the South. Two Sisters’ Ferry, a vital crossing point named for the daughters of a local settler, became the site of a sharp and sudden clash on March 12. As British forces under General Henry Clinton began their massive envelopment of Charleston, they moved to secure the river landings to prevent Patriot reinforcements from North Carolina and Virginia from reaching the besieged capital.

The skirmish broke out when a British scouting party, supported by Loyalist dragoons, attempted to seize the ferry landing on the South Carolina side. They were met by a spirited defense from a detachment of South Carolina Militia and Continental scouts who had been tasked with guarding the crossing. The engagement was a classic riverfront firefight, with the Patriots utilizing the high bluffs and dense cypress knees to provide cover while sniping at the British flatboats and cavalry attempting to force a passage.

While the Patriot force was eventually compelled to withdraw due to the arrival of heavier British reinforcements, the stand at Two Sisters’ Ferry was a significant “speed bump” in the British inland maneuver. The delay forced the British to pause and consolidate their river-crossing operations, providing a final, fleeting window for Patriot supplies to be moved further into the interior of the Beaufort District.

Historical Significance

• Invasion Bottleneck: The ferry was one of the few reliable heavy-equipment crossings on the lower Savannah River, making its control essential for the British siege train moving toward Charleston.
• Border Harassment: This skirmish proved that even after the fall of Savannah, the South Carolina militia remained a persistent threat along the river frontier.
• The Fall of the Gateway: The eventual loss of Two Sisters’ Ferry allowed the British to effectively “close the door” on the southern entrance to the state, isolating the Lowcountry from potential inland relief.