Special to the Chronicle

A historical marker was dedicated Saturday commemorating a short 1781 battle at Tarrar Springs.

Members of the Godfrey Dreher and Granby Chapters of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the marker.

In November 1781, during the American Revolution, Patriot forces had pushed the British almost out of South Carolina.

British regulars and Loyalist militia held on to a small enclave around Charleston.

Loyalist Major William Cunningham and Edgefield Tory Lt. Col. Hezekiah Williams planned to break out of the city and raid Patriot homes in the back country.

The Loyalists wanted to seek revenge against Patriots who were confiscating Loyalist properties.

This became known as the “Bloody Scout,” a series of massacres committed by the Loyalist militia.

Williams’ mounted militia raided the Mount Willing area of today’s Saluda County, plundering homes, stealing cattle and horses.

Alarmed Patriot militia assembled under Captains Sterling Turner and James Butler Sr. and chased the Loyalists to Tarrar Springs east of Lexington – now the Lexington 1 school district headquarters just off US 1.

An exchange of shots rang out but ended when both sides decided to negotiate.

The Loyalists were allowed to leave unharmed if they returned the stolen cattle and horses.

The Patriot militia began to move back home and that night they camped at a cabin near Clouds Creek.

The next morning about 300 Loyalist militia under Major “Bloody Bill” Cunningham surrounded the cabin. A sharp fight ensued.

Out of ammunition, the Patriots surrendered.

The Loyalists in a fit of rage slaughtered the 2 dozen Patriot militia.

Today these men are buried in a mass grave in western Lexington County.