Camden Battlefield Revolutionary War Soldiers to be honored, reinterred

March 10, 2023

April 20 - 22, 2023 events offer opportunities to pay respects

CAMDEN, S.C. – March 10, 2023 -- The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust today released the schedule of events for the Camden Burials, April 20–22, 2023 for the reinterment of the remains of fourteen Revolutionary War soldiers excavated in the Fall of 2022.

“Honoring these heroes in a respectful manner and ensuring the permanent protection of their remains is the mission of this effort,” commented Doug Bostick, CEO, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “Over a period of three days, the public will have numerous opportunities to participate in the ceremonies and pay their respects.”

The weekend of events begins on Thursday, April 20, as the remains of the fourteen Revolutionary War soldiers will be escorted back to Camden. The public is invited to honor these soldiers by assembling on the procession route.

The procession will pass through Main Street in Columbia to the State Capital on Gervais Street. After a brief pause, it will continue to Fort Jackson where current Army members will be waiting to pay respects. Past Fort Jackson the cortege will pass by each public school between Fort Jackson and Camden, including the Camden Military Academy. The final stop will be at the Historic Camden campus.

The remains of the soldiers will lie in repose at the Kershaw Cornwallis House. The public is invited to pay their respects starting Thursday evening at 6:00 PM through midnight Friday. Thursday evening from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM, the Revolutionary War Visitor Center will host a panel discussion with Dr. Mattie Atwell, James Legg, Dr. Steven Smith, and Dr. Bill Stevens about the project and what the forensic and archaeological study has revealed.

On Friday, April 21, reenactors will be assembled to honor the fourteen soldiers at a living history camp at Historic Camden. From 10 AM to 8 PM the public is invited to visit the camp and interact with the reenactors. On Friday evening, the heralded US Army Old Guard will offer a public concert and a narrated demonstration. The event is free; however, prior registration is required.

Beginning early Saturday morning, April 22, the funeral cortege will leave Historic Camden and make its way to Bethesda Presbyterian Church. The public is invited to watch the cortege along Broad Street and follow the procession to the church. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM outdoors at Bethesda Presbyterian Church. At 3:00 PM the Burial Honors Ceremony will commence at the Camden Battlefield. The battlefield ceremony is open to the public, but due to space limitations prior online registration is required.

The Camden Burials Project is the result of a significant historic discovery at the Revolutionary War Camden Battlefield. The Trust, acting on behalf of Historic Camden Foundation, contracted with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina to excavate a number of bodies of Revolutionary War soldiers killed in the August 16, 1780 Battle of Camden. A team of archaeologists from the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, along with biological anthropologists from the Richland County Coroner’s office and the University of South Carolina unearthed the skeletal remains and accompanying artifacts of 14 Revolutionary War soldiers.

“These young men demonstrated their allegiance in an intense battle for liberty. They are truly America’s first veterans,” said Doug Bostick, CEO, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “We have a responsibility to honor their sacrifice by ensuring their remains are protected in perpetuity and their stories of bravery are shared.”

Based on preliminary field examinations, the team believes that twelve individuals are Patriot Continental soldiers from either Maryland or Delaware, one is likely a North Carolina Loyalist, and one served with the British 71^st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders.

Bostick continued, “When these young men marched into the darkness on that summer night in 1780, they did so out of love for their country despite the consequences that may befall them. Our intent is to lay them to rest with the respect and honor they earned more than two centuries ago.”

The City of Camden and Kershaw County have partnered closely in the planning for the weekend of events. “The City of Camden is deeply honored to host this once in a lifetime event,” remarked Alfred Mae Drakeford, mayor, Camden. “We very much appreciate all that Doug Bostick and his SCBPT team are undertaking to honor our Revolutionary War heroes in such a moving and respectful manner.”

County Council Chairperson Katie Guinn offered, “It is a privilege to be involved in this historic event. The American Revolution is the founding story of our country, and the Battle of Camden was a pivotal moment in the war. We invite all Kershaw County residents to join us in honoring the service of America’s first soldiers. “

The events of the Camden Burials are free and open to the public, but the public can support these efforts through tax-deductible donations through the website. Interested parties can also register as Patrons and enjoy reserved seating and transportation to and from all the events on Saturday, April 22, as well as seating at a "thank you" dinner theater event on Saturday night.

Check out the Camden Burials website for further information on the events April 20 - 22, and an in-depth look at the project.

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Media contact:

Jennifer Howard

jen@stewardterra.com

843.709.4192

Suzi Sale

ssale@camdensc.org

Media Kit:

Click here

About the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust seeks to protect and preserve these battlefields and historic military sites across South Carolina to not only honor the soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country, but also provide current and future generations a space at which to remember, contemplate, discuss, and learn how our history not only shapes the past, but is also relevant to the present and future of our great state. Over the last 30 years, the organization has protected 72 sites. For more information visit, www.scbattlegroundtrust.org.

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Camden 9B No Longer “Unknown”

June 29, 2026

Archaeologists Dr. Steve Smith and Jim Legg worked to find artifacts to tell the story at the Camden Battlefield for over 20 years. They knew the grave was there. The final one to complete the project. Hits from metal detectors again revealed they were in the right place. The grave site was slowly excavated, and hours ran into days. As the grave opening was expanded, the revelation was solemn. Not one, not two, but a total of five soldiers in a grave only about 14 inches deep and no more than four feet wide. They were known as Camden 9A through 9E. Continental USA buttons and other artifacts proved which side they were on. Forensic Anthropologists, Dr. Madeline Atwell and Dr. Bill Stevens meticulously worked to recover the remains, which were removed to the Richland County Coroner’s office. More forensics study was done, and the potential for DNA evidence was contemplated. The late Doug Bostick, Executive Director/CEO of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, started this amazing journey. His concept to protect and preserve soldiers from graves that were threatened by erosion and other hazards led to the project in the Fall of 2022. The initial plan was to excavate six grave sites. Ultimately, eight grave sites were found and excavated, revealing 14 soldiers. Each was unknown. Artifacts showed the army for which they fought. Possible brigade-sized units were surmised from the location of their graves on the battlefield. They were honored in April 2023 at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, and at the battlefield where about 400 of their comrades in arms still lie in shallow, unmarked graves. The Continentals now lie at rest in the Presbyterian Burial Grounds, managed by the historic Quaker Cemetery in Camden. And beneath the marble headstones marked “Unknown,” they waited. The Historic Camden Foundation, under Cary Briggs and Stacey Ferguson, led the efforts to determine whether the DNA could possibly be used to determine the identity of any of the recovered soldiers. They contracted Allison Peacock of FHD Forensics and her team to work their genetic and genealogy magic. And it worked. An identity was proven, and an anxious family awaited the official word. And when the word did come, the team effort that made this possible coalesced for the next step in the journey: Rick Wise traveled to Maryland to tell the descendants about their ancestor’s steps and sacrifice during the Revolutionary War. In an emotional address to the family, Wise emphasized the gravity of the moment, noting that it was the first time in nearly 246 years that his name, Private John Pumphrey, was spoken out loud for his relatives to hear his name. Tears flowed from relatives as Wise detailed the harrowing experiences of Pumphrey and the Maryland troops, who marched on battlefields and sites that echo with history: Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge, Monmouth Courthouse, and Camden. Wise illustrated their courage in how Pumphrey and his comrades held the line against overwhelming odds at Camden . He characterized their actions as selfless sacrifice, intended to secure the freedoms enjoyed not by themselves, but by generations of Americans, including ours today. The successful DNA identification of Private Pumphrey is a crucial breakthrough, allowing historians and the family to trace his specific journey to the Battle of Camden . Private John Pumphrey is representative of all those who remain in shallow, unmarked graves across the hallowed grounds of the Camden Battlefield. As we approach the 250th Anniversary of America and the Declaration of Independence, let us say a prayer for our first Veterans, who lie in hallowed grounds across our original 13 colonies, who gave their all for a new nation not yet realized, the United States of America.

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