Battle of Blackstock's Plantation

The American Revolutionary War Battle of Blackstock’s Plantation on November 20, 1780 is an important battle leading up to the Cowpen’s Battle eight weeks later as General Thomas Sumter at Blackstocks used a stratagem that General Daniel Morgan would use at Cowpens. Moreover, this American victory at Blackstock’s may have been an event that shattered British commander Tarleton’s aura of invincibility, possibly helping to explain why militiamen at the Battle of Cowpens two months later had the courage to stand and fight. This battle was a lead up to great American victory at Cowpens which you can view at • Cowpens: America's 'Mo...
‪@CarterOnConflict‬

[@timothyadams9282]

Another outstanding account of an important but overlooked Revolutionary War battle by Dr Carter. Well done sir! Thank you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I always appreciate your viewership and comments Tim, thank you! Very happy you enjoyed.

[@covertops19Z]

I totally agree with @timothyadams9282, this battle never gets the coverage that it should.

[@williamanderson6006]

Ive watched videos about cowpens dozens of time and never was this battle mentioned, THANK YOU

[@CarterOnConflict]

William, thank you - I appreciate you watching and commenting. This Swamp Fox battle has rarely ever been mentioned as well, I hope you enjoy! Francis Marion’s Attack at Tearcoat Swamp and Tarleton’s Revenge kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3S2gauNZrOCY9U

[@Yakomoe]

They never do and it is extremely important.

[@Brian-nw2bn]

Here after the Swampfox vid! Just leaving comments for the algorithm Paul, God Bless brother!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Yes Brian - you are both generous AND very smart, knowing the comments help the algorithm - thank you!

[@jabineer]

Thank you, kindly, sir, for the dun to check this battle out. Your tactical situational awareness intel throughout the pre-battle buildup is/are/am a sheer delight for an ex-Jarhead. Salute!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well thank you so much, and I am very happy you watched, and posted a comment. Semper Fi! I hope also you will watch my accompanying video, battle of Blackstocks plantation, which led up to Cowpens. Thank you again.

[@chrislauterbach8856]

As a NYer I've attended reenactments on LI, along the Hudson and in New Jersey. So I am familiar with many aspects of the Northern campaign. This video introduced so many pieces of the Southern campaign that I was never aware of. You definitely earned a "like" from me and I have subscribed.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well Chris, I really appreciate that. That is very cool that you have done re-enactments! I really would like to attend one - anywhere - it’s on my bucket list. If you haven’t, please check out my Blackstocks Plantation battle video, a lead up to Cowpens. Thanks again for watching and posting.

[@chrislauterbach8856]

@@CarterOnConflict I watched them both. Very educational history lessons. Many know about the Swamp Fox from Disney's series. And "The Patriot" made Tarleton infamous. But the others are little known, with maybe the exception of Greene. BTW this is the most recent Battle of Monmouth kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6aUnpR4apKNgbM

[@jedibusiness789]

Really appreciate your detail in telling about revolutionary war battles, how they fought and it’s impact leading to our independence.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir for watching!

[@mr.furyous497]

I live 5 miles from Blackstock battlefield. I've walked the field and sadly, it is mostly just an empty field. Only thru a ranger-guided tour do you learn about the layout and locations of the armies and landmarks. We need to do more to preserve and remember sites like this across South Carolina. These skirmishes and mostly militia battles affected the outcome of the revolution as much if not more than the larger engagements that we are limited to studying in school and history books. Thank you for your efforts to research and educate on these sites.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and posting and you articulated a key point - these small engagements actually shaped the strategic outcome. Thank you again.

[@a.muligan4991]

Thank you for your efforts to educate us on the history of our country.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Without viewers like you who can appreciate it, I would not be doing this. So thank you for watching and your commenting. From your comment, you’ve probably scanned or viewed other of my videos, which I appreciate, here is one of my favorites regarding SC Rev War history: Francis Marion’s Attack at Tearcoat Swamp and Tarleton’s Revenge kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3S2gauNZrOCY9U

[@robertbates6057]

I appreciate the detail of your videos. I was pleased to learn of the contributions of Georgians in these battles. I know Savannah and Augusta fell early.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Robert, thank you very much. Georgians certainly contributed much to our war of independence. While I don’t know much regarding the Savannah and Augusta fall, I think all American cities fell essentially. I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@ChileExpatFamily]

In his memoirs Sumter advises the men about crossing the river and getting wet and clean. Since at that time in history they did not take a lot of baths. I have been many times to the location of the battle of Blackstocks. There is only a ruined stone marker where someone stole the metal placard. I grew up in Spartanburg SC and lived in Gaffney for a while and participated in Re enacting events at all of these historic sites as a black smith with my kids and wife who also participated. We always demonstrated at Cowpens, and Walnut Grove Plantation, which is very close to the battle of blackstocks location, and I had demonstrated at Camden as well. It was interesting to see the Blackstocks site as it was a clear cut timber property when I visited way back in 2001 and there was only a dirt road to the site. The site is on private property but there was not anyone there and no restriction to visiting. I would have loved to have had a metal detector but it was not in the cards. 1/3 of the patriots were in favor of the war. 1/3 were torries. 1/3 did not care. What the Brits did was piss off the 1/3 that did not care, and thereby changed the war against them. An interesting fact is that the fort at 96 is named Ninety Six because it is exactly 96 miles from Charleston. Not much located at 96. Love the video and thank you for the work. Jim in Chile South America.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Expat man, I remember you from my Cowpens video and your messages! Thanks for this it is always good to hear from you!

[@jordanbob6666]

As someone from South Carolina, i have always been fascinated by the sheer depth of history in my own backyard. I enjoy reading about the many engagements and small scale skirmishes that occurred in my own state. Sadly, many of these battles have been lost to history and long forgotten about. Hanging Rock in Lancaster County, Sc, has largely been neglected, in fact isnt even properly marked. Hucks defeat in York County, is one i hardley ever hear of. Also, a small battle took place near the NC/SC border just off of hwy 200, north of Lancaster, an estimated up to 15 men died here, the exact location of this fight is to my knowledge unknown and lost to history. Not every battle has a Wikipedia reference, which of course is understandable especially for the many fights that resulted in under 30 causalities that took place in the Southern Campaign.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Coincidentally, Hanging Rock may be my next SC video. You are correct, so many battles and skirmishes are largely neglected.

[@dmh0667ify]

I remember quite well that Professor Henry Lumpkin (University of South Carolina) also gave a presentation on this battle on his SC-ETV Show, long ago. His usage of a sand-table model of the field, for this and other SC battles, gave you a terrific idea of the fighting and how it transpired.

[@CarterOnConflict]

It may very well have, and if so, I’m sorry I didn’t credit it as I did the other books I mentioned. My first introduction to the battlefield was as a young military officer stationed at Ft. Bragg, we did a two-day battlefield walk at Cowpens. After that, I read and researched as much as possible on the battle so I learned and borrowed heavily upon others works on the battle. While I don’t remember Dr. Lumpkin’s presentation, if I did see it I am sure it greatly would have greatly informed my knowledge. In fact, I’m going to try to find this episode (and others) you describe, hopefully it’s still out there.

[@dmh0667ify]

@CarterOnConflict thank you, Dr. Carter, Lumpkin also had a great presentation on Guilford Courthouse, and maybe Eutaw Springs (battlefield is now under water, I believe), too.

[@darrellbrown9098]

Excellent presentation. I did not have a real sense of the fighting in the South, but you are enlightening me.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I thank you Darrell - your support has always been appreciated.

[@tommcclelland119]

Another excellent video Paul.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Always appreciate hearing from you Tom, thanks for watching and posting.

[@RioHondoHank]

Thanks for the video. I am a 7th generation descendent of William Blackstock, owner of Blacktock’s plantation.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Wow, I am glad you found the video, and posted a comment. Quite an honor to meet you. Had I had the foresight, I would have included info on the Blackstock family. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@MsGA08]

I’m a Blackstock, also. My grandfather mentioned this battle several times over the years. My husband and I are going to drive over from Georgia and tour the area in a few weeks! Thank you for the information!

[@TmBstock21jmj]

I’m a Blackstock too!

[@palafox2237]

I too am a descendent (Wm Berry Blackstock) on my grandmother's side. We have sooo many relatives we've never met!

[@dough9512]

​@@CarterOnConflict Probably auto-correct kicking in at the wrong time? May want to do the right thing.

[@rooo9802]

Wonderful This video was a very good account of a little known battle.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and your post.

[@captainamerica3531]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!

[@captainamerica3531]

@@CarterOnConflict pleasure watching. Great history lessons. Learned quite a lot that I never knew. Subscribed of course, and watching and learning more.

[@rickgaston7118]

Thank you for sharing , never heard of this before

[@CarterOnConflict]

Rick, thank you for watching - and commenting - I really appreciate it. I hope you look at some of my other videos. Thanks again Rick.

[@brockcarter6323]

Great video. Very interesting!!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir!

[@samiam1254]

Every summer, Cowpens celebrate the Mighty Moo Festival, sailor's from the USS COWPENS and USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY, come and there is also a Battle of Cowpens reenactment. I am formally inviting you to come if you can, next year. I retired from the US Marine Corps in 2005 after 25 years, and have always enjoyed military history. I think you will enjoy this festival.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I did not know Sam!! That's good info, I will remember. Thank you! I have no doubt I would enjoy.

[@jedibusiness789]

Spent a few days on the Spartanburg County until was launched out the back in an AAV.

[@markanderson5343]

You speak of my 2 favorite things sir. Thailand and American history

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well Mark, we share similar interests….means we have good tastes, yes? Do you live in Thailand, or became a fan through visits or work?

[@markanderson5343]

@CarterOnConflict fell in love with Thailand 10 years ago. Visited about 14 times, explored alot. Hope to plant my flag there in a few years

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@markanderson5343 stay in touch, hope to see you here. I live in Chiang Mai but am enjoying the beach at Koh Chaang now. I appreciate your support to my channel

[@tomtaylor6163]

I grew up in New Jersey.Please do one about the Battle of Springfield. I literally grew up a few minutes from the Battle Site. Thank you

[@CarterOnConflict]

Tom, I’m googling it now. Thank you for the tip, and for watching and posting.

[@crispusattucks4007]

Takes me back to my Sumter days… 💭 Tom was a good guy

[@kenfox22]

Most wonderful video I've ever seen

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ken, I’m glad you liked the video!!!! Please check our my Blackstones plantation battle video, leading up to Cowpens. Thanks again for watching and posting.

[@kenfox22]

Thank You kind Sir

[@richpontone1]

Common factor in both defeats. Banastre Tartleton. The General George Custer of the American Revolution except he didn’t get killed on the field. If he did, Cornwallis might not have been forced to surrender at Yorktown.

[@CarterOnConflict]

That is a solid point I really had not pondered, regarding had Tarleton been killed on the field and the ramifications. And he easily could have been felled. These were harsh engagements. Thank you for watching and posting.

[@richpontone1]

@@CarterOnConflict Anytime. Cornwallis did not lose at Yorktown. His subordinates did it for him. Went to India afterwards and did a great job for The British Empire and so, King George still trusted him. And we all thought The King was Nuts. Indeed!! As Spock would say.

[@Brian-----]

27:45 Astute analysis by Dr. Carter. Little doubt should exist that Morgan at Cowpens had learned from Sumter at Blackstock's Plantation. The very end of Dr. Carter's lecture, in which he points out that Tarleton claimed victory, is significant. Arguably, Tarleton did not merely do that, but went beyond embellishing to outright lie to Cornwallis. This matters mainly because it shows Tarleton overconfident to the point of self-delusion: Tarleton might have repeated his blunder at Cowpens two months after this battle, with results so bad that they could not be concealed, because he failed to respect the reality of the results he earned here.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Brian, thoughtful insight from you about how Tarleton’s overconfidence was such that it became a detriment to his command ability. The detail and examples from these two battles you cite clearly demonstrate Tarleton’s almost negligence in understanding the realities of these battles and how they affected outcomes.

[@Bonk_rds]

Amazing insight into "The Fighting Gamecock".

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ha, thank you for watching and commenting. Go Gamecocks :-)

[@Brian-----]

South Carolina arguably was the most devastated state during the war.

[@CarterOnConflict]

That’s probably true Brian. That’s an interesting corollary that had not occurred to me. But given the battles, the violence…it must have been. Thanks for drawing our attention to this.

[@gilmangus83]

Great video! But ya gotta speak into the microphone.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Okay Sir - thank you for the tip! I’ll be cognizant of this in the future. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@barneyfife291]

U were right I was informative entertaining

[@user-xj6rr3yv8q]

Dr. Carter, do you have data on how much SC paid for army supplies? As in if they sold indigo for supplies, how much value was delivered to the Congress/army?

[@CarterOnConflict]

I don’t, but economics like this surrounding a war effort are interesting because it takes money to fund a war. I’m sure someone has looked at the economics of the war. If you want to research it more, I would recommend going to academia.edu (I find the most obscure and detailed papers there) and searching, or maybe the South Carolina Library and Archives. It’s a great question, surely someone has some info on it. Thank you!

[@alexius23]

Had never heard about this flight…

[@CarterOnConflict]

Glad you watched and commented. If I may suggest so, please watch my Blackstones Plantation video, it’s a good lead up to Cowpens. Thank you.

[@alexius23]

@@CarterOnConflict I have been to the physical location of “96”, “King’s Mountain” & “Cowpens”. I was very moved to be there. I have a dislike of Tarenton that goes back to the Disney Swamp Fox TV series & then the film Amazing Grace. Having Daniel Morgan outthink & outfight him just had great appeal.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@alexius23 that's a great story!! Thank you for sharing.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

No matter what, Nathanael Greene saved the South. Period.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I appreciate you watching, and your comment. I hope you watch the Blackstocks plantation battle, a run up to Cowpens. Thank you again.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

@@CarterOnConflict Will do. Thank You. Huzzah!

[@taggartlawfirm]

Poor Patrick Ferguson, a good Scot he was rather sympathetic to the Americans and a huge proponent of the rifle as a weapon (see Ferguson Rifle).

[@CarterOnConflict]

I did not know of the Ferguson rifle, thank you for watching and posting this info. I hope you will watch my video on the run up to Cowpens, the battle of Blackstocks plantation kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaCVfmeaqrGspqcsi=952jaopHEhTGE7U1

[@johnmoreno9636]

@@CarterOnConflict You might want to check out Ferguson's Rifle. It is a breech loading musket. I believe only his forces were issued it.

[@Treasuremonk]

Are you a volunteer police in Thailand? Pattaya?

[@CarterOnConflict]

No sir, not volunteer police, anyhere.

[@Treasuremonk]

@@CarterOnConflict saw your cap, used live in Pattaya, NC now , great video

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@Treasuremonk Thank you, I live up in Chiang Mai now, before was Bkk. Visited Pattaya a few times :-) Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@Treasuremonk]

@@CarterOnConflict a much nicer place you live! My brothers mother n law lives there as well! Beautiful up there

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@Treasuremonk I like it, it is nice, but the air pollution from the burning from Jan till just now, is quite the nuisance! Oh well, no place is perfect. Overall, yes, it is nice. You must return for a visit!

[@expeditioncalypsowind]

this explains this event only 80 yrs later : On December 20, 1860, the state of South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union when Federal Forces dared fire upon Ft.Sumter !!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Yes, I got the date wrong :-( thanks for watching and pointing this out. Please check our my Blackstones plantation battle video, leading up to Cowpens. Thanks again for watching and posting.

[@vinnartaigh2076]

I'm descended from the loyalist of S.C.. In Canada. LoL. Got out alive!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ha, thanks for sharing that! And watching, much appreciated for that and your posting.

[@g.allenshell6723]

Too much credit given to large ego Sumter. Little mention of the significance of Kings Mountain. Not even a mention of the actions of BG James Henderson Williams.

[@CarterOnConflict]

How was BG Williams involved in the battle of Blackstocks plantation?

[@gayprepperz6862]

I didn't know Lucius Malfoy was in the Revolutionary War as well. He lost in that war, what made him think he would win in the Battle of Hogwarts?

[@CarterOnConflict]

Hubris perhaps.

[@paulkohler4858]

Looks like some 67 out of 89 Battles were fought in the South. 6 - NE; 11 - NY; 8 - Mid States; 2 - NW and 2 - Canada. SC had 67 out of 118 Battles, over 56 %. No wonder SC with more that 1/2 the Battles in the Revolution believed in their States Cause for Slavery. New Constitution Compromised for Ratification. No wonder SC attacked Fort Sumter. Until the end of the Civil War SC contributed much to not only the Life in the South but the entire development of the USA. American Citizens today do not realize how fortunate the Colonials were to win the Revolutionary War. Britain could have been the Victor. Different world today. Thanks.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for your comment sir, and watching.

[@fatboy1603]

Sc has 580+ known actions where the site is known today. Battles, skirmishes, assassinations. See Parkers guide to the rev. War in South Carolina.

[@benjaminrush4443]

SC was a busy state for conflict. Will look up Parkers guide. Thanks.@@fatboy1603

[@user-cg9wb2mu6z]

Fort Niagara at 16:10

[@CarterOnConflict]

Okay! Thanks for watching.

[@brucebartup6161]

Tarleton had cannon which Sumter had none of.. Why did Tarleton not bypass Sumter, advance to the Tiger river crossing, thus cutting off his line of retreat? If your mission is pursuit, contact and destruction of a highly evasive opponent force, aren't cannon a rather mixed blessing? Again it sounds as though all these rivers are navigable. BUt if o, then Sumter would be movng on boats Tarleton have been attacking and raiding from boats Amd aghain it seems that tjde bRtish had a problem training up cavalry for a war conducted at pace. Did not maximie teir sppe by u sigg wagons, mulex aand pack jhorses yto carru bulk materials buitunklike he bagg\age traiin these would be lighter more agile lighter to keep up with mounted troops? somewhere beteween a cart and ancient chariot?

[@CarterOnConflict]

You ask great questions, of which I have no answers! What's going through someone's head at the time is so hard to know.

[@richardpcrowe]

My ancestor Militia Lt. Col. James F. Steen fought in most of the battles in South Carolina. He may have fought at Blackstock's Plantation. I know that he fought at King's Mountain and it is claimed by some that he died in this battle (there is a monument to that effect at King's Mountain. However, I believe that he later fought at Cowpens and then was later killed attempting to arrest a North Carolina Loyalist. My idea is that the Patriot battles in the Southern Theater was deliberately obscured by Northern Historians shortly after the Civil War.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I really appreciate you sharing. And your last comment is so interesting. I say the exact same thing in my Cowpens video. Great minds think alike, ha ha.

[@carywest9256]

At about the 6:30 minute mark or so, the narrator states that Cornwallis took command down South after returning from Great Britain burying his dead wife. Surely a person wouldn't bury a living wife! Unless maybe she's a nag.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ha ha….great point Cary. I’ll watch myself next time. Very keen catch and witty comment - keeps me on my toes. And gold star to you, the first to point this out, with humor to boot!

[@fredbays]

at 26:58 u say Am rifles prove superior to... U failed to say why. grave error in making this video. With out this reason all the rest means nothing b/c u left out the major reason the Am's won. Now I will tell ur viewers why the Am's won. 1st of all the Brits were fighting up hill and were not will rested having march to the field of battle so their rate of climb was greatly reduced do to fatigue. 2nd Range. Many of the Am's had rifledmuskets which give them ore then 100 yds of range and were aimable. Brown Bess good only at less then 50 yds over that and u would be lucky to hit the side of a bran. This was why when using them mass volley fire was used even at less then 50 yrs. Furthermore the Brown Bess could not be aimed in anyway as the flash from the primer and the unburnt powder forced the user to close his eyes just before firing. This was do to the size of the primer pan. In the Am's rifled muskets the primer pan was much smaller so much less unburnt power to get in the users eyes thus they could aim. And by the way one will trained in the use of the rifled musket could get off not just one shot a minute but more like three in two minutes and these men were will trained in the reloading of their weapons if not in marching to get into positions.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well thank you for watching, and providing this additional information. You might have additional insights on the Blackstocks plantation battle, I have a shorter video on that. As you know it’s a run up to Cowpens. I would appreciate your critique of that video as well. Thank you again.

[@dougcooksey4093]

The reader should learn the city is not CHARLESTOWN but CHARLESTON.. Check facts and proper pronunciation before you publish.

[@CarterOnConflict]

But not during the Rev War. Thank you for watching Doug and posting. All readers should know today it is pronounced Charleston and one of the loveliest cities in America, I have had the privilege to visit many times. At the time of the video, not only was it pronounced Charlestown but spelled that way too, so I was keeping the video era authentic.

[@fredbays]

U r an elitist. U give the names of all officer major and above but fail to tell how many men were under each officer command. Officers do not win battles it is the men under them that do so. Officer just tell them where to go and nothing more. To many academics do this and i get very tired of it for then i have to go find these things out with hrs of research which the academic should have done before making their videos. U see u treat a video as though u had ppl right there in the room with u and so they can ask question but in a video we the audience have no such chance. So u need to play ur videos for someone who knows little or nothing about the subject to show u ur short comings

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well, I do appreciate your sincere frankness and thoughts on this and other videos. I spent 21 years in the U.S. Army, almost 9 as an enlisted soldier before commissioning at Ft Benning OCS, so I certainly understand your point about soldiers winning battles. Of course, officers and enlisted win - and lose - battles. Thank you again for watching, and posting. If you have thoughts on my other videos, I certainly would appreciate your feedback. One in particular is on our 1918 POWs, it’s quite a compelling story. Your feedback is welcome sir.

[@RobbyHouseIV]

The relative small size of the "armies" that fought during the American Revolution has always surprised me.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Good point, something easily overlooked. Thanks for watching and posting a comment.