FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2024
Contact:
Marie Cheek
Community Relations Coordinator
Culture & Heritage Museums of York County, S.C.
www.chmuseums.org
803.909.7312
mcheek@chmuseums.org
The American Revolution comes alive through a cavalry engaged reenactment of a significant patriot victory — the “Battle of Huck’s Defeat” at Historic Brattonsville
McCONNELLS, S.C. – Historic Brattonsville is the actual site of the Battle of Huck’s Defeat, the 1780 battle between the local Patriot militia and Loyalist troops commanded by the loathed British commander Capt. Christian Huck. For the weekend of July 13 and 14, reenactments of two pivotal American Revolution battles are on the itinerary along with living history activities and demonstrations.
Saturday, July 13 — the day begins with a wreath laying ceremony by the Sons of the American Revolution at 10:30 a.m. while an 18th-century barbeque is demonstrated throughout the day. A reenactment of the Battle of Huck’s Defeat, a significant patriot victory during the American Revolution, takes place at 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 14 — an 18th-century church service takes place at 10:30 a.m. with the reenactment of the Battle of Blackstock’s Plantation at 2 p.m.
Special presentation — “A Black Loyalist’s Liberty: How Lucy Banbury Took Back Her Freedom.” At noon on both days, Carin Bloom, of Middleton Place in Charleston, will present her research on Lucy Banbury, an enslaved Loyalist woman from the Lowcountry who self-emancipated during the Revolution. Bloom’s recently-published book, “Women Waging War in the American Revolution” will be available for sale in Historic Brattonsville’s gift shop.
In addition to battle reenactments with live cavalry and musket-firing, military reenactors show what 18th-century life was like in the operational camps set up on the grounds of Historic Brattonsville. Period-dressed interpreters bustle about doing their daily chores such as laundry, cooking, woodworking and blacksmithing. Children’s militia drills, games, and educational activities will be ongoing. Site tours highlight the work in preserving the original Bratton family homes. Guided tours of the Huck’s Defeat Battlefield disclose the details of the historic event.
WHAT: The Battle of Huck’s Defeat
WHEN: Sat., July 13 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sun., July 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Historic Brattonsville is located at 1444 Brattonsville Rd., McConnells, S.C. 29726
Note: Brattonsville Road closed from 9:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. for public safety. Look for detour.
ADMISSION: $10.; free for CHM members and ages 3 and under.
TICKETS: Preregistration encouraged, limited walkups Tickets at chmuseums.org
VISITOR SERVICES: 803.684.2327
WEBSITE: chmuseums.org
As a participant in Museums for All, Historic Brattonsville, as well as all CHM sites, provides reduced admission for low-income families. CHM sites are also Blue-Star-Museums and offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.
IMAGES:
1. The Carolina Backcountry claims a significant patriot victory during the American Revolution as demonstrated in the 2023 reenactment of the Battle of Huck’s Defeat.
2. One of Historic Brattonsville’s Junior Docents checks in with the cavalry team during the 2023 reenactment of Huck’s Defeat.
Credit: Culture & Heritage Museums. For high resolution images, contact mcheek@chmuseums.org
About the Battlefield Site:
Visitors can walk the grounds of the actual American Revolution battlefield site throughout the year during Historic Brattonsville’s normal hours of operation.
An interpretive trail tells the story of how Captain Christian Huck, a Loyalist officer noted for his “particular dislike for the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians in the South Carolina backcountry,” was shot and fell from his horse to his death in his furious pursuit to impede the liberty and freedom of the early colonists.
Huck’s Defeat is also known as the Battle of Williamson’s Plantation. James Williamson’s 18th-century plantation is part of the 800-acres that comprises today’s Historic Brattonsville. For over one hundred years, the exact location of the revolutionary war site had remained a mystery. Culture & Heritage Museums initiated the archeological research in 2006 that lead to the precise mapping of the battlefield.
The battlefield site of Huck’s Defeat and interpretive trail at Historic Brattonsville first opened to the public in 2014. “Huck’s Defeat Battle Research, Interpretation, and Exhibit Project” received the 2015 award for Achievement of Excellence from the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies.
Artifacts collected during the battlefield’s archeological surveys include rifle balls, uniform buttons, and horse gear as well as domestic artifacts such as earthenware and colonoware.
About Historic Brattonsville:
Historic Brattonsville features over 30 colonial and antebellum structures, including three house museums. The plantation spreads over 800-acres and includes farmed land with heritage breed animals, a Revolutionary War battlefield, and a nature preserve with miles of walking trails. Seasonal events, reenactments, and living history programs interpret Southern rural life in 1780, 1855, and 1871. An award-winning exhibit in the recently restored Brick House tells the story of the Brattonsville community during the Reconstruction Era.
Historic Brattonsville is included in “The Green Book of South Carolina” – a travel guide to African American cultural sites. https://greenbookofsc.com/
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