Abstract

American General George Washington faced the challenge of creating the citizen-soldier army while hoping that the rage militaire of 1776 would maintain support for the long war ahead. Initially opposed to any guerrilla war tactics, Washington said “To place any dependence upon militia is assuredly resting upon a broken staff.” ¹ Yet the Southern Campaign provided the opportunity for the militia and irregular forces to define the war and develop an American army. The South Carolina campaign was an unconventional war characterized by guerrilla tactics that broke the traditions of conventional war and at times led to lawlessness, brutality, and a breakdown of authority and civility. ²