Changes

In November, Sumter achieved victory in two battles: first at Fishdam Ford on the Broad River, and then over Tarleton at Blackstock's Farm, where he was wounded and put out of action until February 1781, when he returned to the field and led his troops in several more actions until late in the year, when he disbanded his militia forces.

In November, Sumter achieved victory in two battles: first at Fishdam Ford on the Broad River, and then over Tarleton at Blackstock's Farm, where he was wounded and put out of action until February 1781, when he returned to the field and led his troops in several more actions until late in the year, when he disbanded his militia forces.

As was the case with much of the Patriot campaigning in the southern theater, Sumter lost battles as often as he won. Through 1781 especially, he was generally defeated in combat. He also had a difficult relationship with other American commanders, especially in the [[Continental Army]], as he preferred to operate independently rather than coordinate with them; prior to the [[Battle of Camden]], for example, he chose to raid Cornwallis' supply lines rather than unite his forces with the main body. However, his fierce fighting and his resilience earned him respect from both sides. Cornwallis himself referred to Sumter as his "greatest plague," and Tarleton gave him his lasting nickname when, after Blackstock's Farm, he said that Sumter "fought like a gamecock." Because of this, Sumter came to be known as the Carolina Gamecock, or simply, "the Gamecock."<ref>''The Road to Guilford Courthouse'', John Buchanan, p. 393.  

As was the case with much of the Patriot campaigning in the southern theater, Sumter lost battles as often as he won. Through 1781 especially, he was generally defeated in combat. He also had a difficult relationship with other American commanders, especially in the [[Continental Army]], as he preferred to operate independently rather than coordinate with them; prior to the [[Battle of Camden]], for example, he chose to raid Cornwallis' supply lines rather than unite his forces with the main body. However, his fierce fighting and his resilience earned him respect from both sides. Cornwallis himself referred to Sumter as his "greatest plague," and Tarleton gave him his lasting nickname when, after Blackstock's Farm, he said that Sumter "fought like a gamecock." Because of this, Sumter came to be known as the Carolina Gamecock, or simply, "the Gamecock."<ref>''The Road to Guilford Courthouse'', John Buchanan, p. 393.

 

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