29 MAY--This Day in US Military History

2015-05-29T12:50:17-04:00

1780 – At the Battle of Waxhaws, the British continue attacking after the Continentals lay down their arms, killing 113 and critically wounding all but 53 that remained.

The Battle of Waxhaws (also known as the Waxhaws or Waxhaw Massacre, and Buford’s Massacre) took place during the American Revolutionary War near Lancaster, South Carolina, between a Continental Army force led by Abraham Buford and a mainly Loyalist force led by Banastre Tarleton. Buford refused an initial demand to surrender, but when his men were attacked by Tarleton’s cavalry, many of them threw down their arms to surrender.
Accounts differ on significant details. Buford apparently then attempted to surrender, but his surrender was either rejected or not received (Tarleton possibly having been incapacitated at that time). Tarleton’s men continued killing the Continental soldiers, including men who were not resisting. Little quarter was given to the Patriots. Of the 400 or so Continentals, 113 were killed with sabres, 150 so badly injured they could not be moved, and only 53 prisoners taken by the British and Loyalists. “Tarleton’s quarter” thereafter became a common expression for refusing to take prisoners, and in some subsequent battles in the Carolinas few of the defeated were taken alive by either side.
The battle was used in an extensive propaganda campaign by the Continental Army to bolster recruitment and resentment against the British. Other accounts of the battle describe Tarleton as having no part in ordering the massacre, and having ordered thorough medical treatment of American prisoners and wounded.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/may-29/

May 29

29 May 1677 – The Treaty of Middle Plantation establishes peace between the Virginia colonists and various Virginia Native American tribes including the Nottoway, the Appomattoc, the Wayonaoake, th...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 29 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-05-29T12:56:05-04:00

I was not aware of this Battle, Thanks for enlightening this Descendant of William Dawes.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 29 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-05-29T12:57:38-04:00

Some interesting fact in this battle, the British Commander was wounded/unhorsed at some point, so a lot of confusion to when the American sundered was actually received and by whom. Also, the majority of the British troops were Loyalist militia...more of battle of untrained militias than professionals on either side...with more residents from the actual region fighting for the British.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 29 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-05-29T13:29:13-04:00

A better 29 May history in the US Military is the first of approximately 15,000 World War I veterans arrive in Washington, D.C. demanding the immediate payment of their military bonus, becoming known as the Bonus Army...of course this would turn out to be a black eye for the military and some of our most widely known leaders.