The Battle of Dean's Swamp
May 24, 1782 at ??, South Carolina

Americans Commanded by Capt. William Butler Forces Killed Wounded Captured 35 2 8 - British Commanded by Maj. William Cunningham Forces Killed Wounded Captured 70+ - - - *Killed or Wounded Conclusion: American Victory

Maj. William Cunningham learned that British and Loyalists prisoners were being held near Dean Swamp, in two bullpens. He sent some of his men to rescue the prisoners. Capt. William Butler learned that Cunningham's men were encamped on Dean's Swamp and gathered 15 of his Edgefield County militia. He met with Capt. Michael Watson and 18 of his Cloud Creek Company. The two groups rode out at sundown.
On May 24, after riding all night, the Patriot militia approached the Loyalist camp in the morning. They captured a Loyalist along the way, but he escaped and was able to warn Cunningham of the Patriot approach. The Loyalists were able to set up an ambush on the edge of the swamp. They enticed the Patriots into the ambush by having two men stand in the road. Butler and a couple of other men rushed to capture the two Loyalists and Butler detected the ambush. The Loyalists opened fire, mortally wounding two of the Patriots immediately. The Patriots started to run low on ammunition. By this time, the Loyalists started to approach the Patriot line.
Butler decided to risk it all and charge the Loyalists with swords. The Loyalists were surprised and confused by the attack. They quickly turned around and fled, even though they outnumbered the Patriots by a 2-to-1 margain.