Waxhaws, Battle of

The Battle of Waxhaws (also known as the Waxhaws or Waxhaw massacre, and Buford's massacre) takes place during the American Revolutionary War on May 29, 1780, near Lancaster, South Carolina, between a Continental Army force led by Abraham Buford and a mainly Loyalist force led by British officer Banastre Tarleton.

Buford refuses an initial demand to surrender, but when his men are attacked by Tarleton's cavalry, many throw down their arms to surrender.

Buford apparently attempts to surrender.

However, the British commanding officer Tarleton is shot at during the truce, having his horse fall and trap him.

While Tarleton is trapped under his dead horse, men continue killing the Continental soldiers, including men who are not resisting.

Little quarter is given to the patriots/rebels.

Of the four hundred or so Continentals, one hundred and thirteen are killed with sabers, one hundred and fifty so badly injured they cannot be moved and fifty-three prisoners are taken by the British and Loyalists.

"Tarleton's quarter" will hereafter became a common expression for refusing to take prisoners.

In some subsequent battles in the Carolinas, few of the defeated will be taken alive by either side.

This 'Battle of Waxhaws' will become the subject of an intensive propaganda campaign by the Continental Army to bolster recruitment and incite resentment against the British.

Equally valid accounts of the battle by soldiers from both sides describe Tarleton as having no part in ordering a massacre as he had been trapped under his horse, and when freed had immediately ordered thorough medical treatment of American prisoners and wounded.

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