British brutality ignites American revenge at Waxhaws

The Battle of Waxhaws (May 29, 1780) stands as one of the most brutal encounters of the American Revolutionary War, infamous for the devastating clash between the British and American forces that spurred cries of vengeance. Fought near the border of North and South Carolina, this bloody event saw British forces, led by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, unleash a fierce and ruthless attack on Continental troops under Colonel Abraham Buford. Although Buford’s men attempted to surrender, Tarleton's troops allegedly ignored the customary rules of war, mercilessly cutting down American soldiers in what became known as the "Waxhaws Massacre." This savage episode not only sparked outrage among the American public but also galvanized rebel forces across the Carolinas, inspiring a surge of resistance that would prove pivotal in the Southern Campaign.