On February 19, 1781, General Thomas Sumter attacked Fort Granby on the Congaree, the British stockade below Columbia. On February 21, he advanced to the British Post at Colonel Thomson’s Plantation, near present-day Fort Motte. The American troops advanced through an open field under heavy fire, reaching a part of the British defenses and setting fire to the houses. The defenders succeeded in extinguishing the flames and resisted every assault. The attack was then abandoned, but the investment was continued. Sumter encamped at Manigault’s Ferry, two miles below Thomson’s, refreshing part of his troops while a strong detachment maintained the investment of the post. He had sent out several smaller detachments for various purposes, so that he had with him not more than a hundred men. Early on the morning of the 23rd he received information that the enemy was approaching with a considerable number of troops and several wagons. He formed quickly for their reception on a well-chosen piece of ground half a mile below his encampment.

The British, about eighty in number, advanced in a compact line on open ground. The British were outflanked and defeated in a short, decisive battle. Twenty wagons with clothing, supplies, and arms were taken; thirteen British were killed and sixty-six taken prisoner. Sumter had collected and secured all boats at Fort Granby and also at Thomson’s. The Santee was out of its banks and the wagons could not cross, so the captured goods were placed on board the captured boats and sent down the river to a point where Sumter was to meet them with his troops. On the 24th of February, Lord Rawdon appeared for the relief of the post at Thomson’s. Sumter retreated when he saw that Rawdon’s entire army was with him and hastened to meet the boats, where he proposed to cross the river. By treachery of the pilot, the boats were permitted to drop below the proposed landing point and within range of the guns at an enemy post at Wright’s Bluff. The boats and their goods fell into enemy hands, but the guards escaped and rejoined Sumter. The Americans gathered as many canoes as possible and on February 27, attacked the post at Wright’s Bluff to regain the stores. The Americans received tremendous fire and had to give way with considerable loss. The British claimed eighteen killed and prisoners and many horses taken.