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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Thomas Sumter Biography SUMTER,
Thomas (1734-1832). An American soldier, born in Hanover Co., Va. He early
removed to South Carolina; fought against the Cherokees; served under Braddock
in 1755, and in March, 1776, became lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment of
South Carolina Riflemen. Until the capture of Charleston (1780), he served in
the interior of the State against the Loyalists and Indians; but subsequently
raised a regiment in North Carolina and engaged actively in partisan warfare. On
July 12, 1780, he defeated a force of mounted infantry under Captain Huck, and
soon afterward was made a brigadier general of State troops. On August 1st he
made a spirited but unsuccessful attack on Rocky Mount, and on August 6th
defeated 500 regulars and Tories at Hanging Rock, but was subsequently driven
back. He then cut Cornwallis' line of
communications between Charleston and Camden, capturing a supply train; but
later his force was almost annihilated by Tarleton at Fishing Creek. Enlisting
another regiment, he defeated Major Wemys at Broad River (November 9th), and on
November 20th repulsed an attack of Tarleton at Blackstock Hill, with great loss
to the latter. Here Sumter was severely wounded, but he returned in February,
1781, and continued to render efficient service as a partisan commander. After
the war Sumter sat in the State convention of South Carolina
which ratified the Federal Constitution, was a member of Congress in
1789-93 and 1797-1801, and of the United States Senate from 1801 to 1809 and
again from 1811 to 1817, and was United States Minister to Brazil in 1809-11. He
was the last surviving general officer of the Revolution. Consult E. McCrady,
The History of South Carolina in the Revolution, 2 vols. (New York, 1901-02). |