This is one of most consequential, yet least known, stories of the Revolutionary War. The events described here eventually led to the area that is now Greenville, Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties becoming part of South Carolina.

In 1776, a series of Native American attacks on backcountry settlers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia had the entire region gripped in a state of panic. These attacks were orchestrated by the British deputy superintendent of Indian affairs, Alexander Cameron.

Maj. Andrew Williamson was assigned the task of killing or capturing Cameron. A call to arms was issued throughout the backcountry and he soon amassed an army of 1,100 volunteers. Williamson’s intelligence indicated Cameron was hiding among the Cherokees at Oconee Creek in northern Oconee

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