KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Several months ago, the remains of 14 Revolutionary War Soldiers from the Battle of Camden were uncovered in shallow graves.
Now, the City of Camden is getting ready for a large ceremony to re-inter their remains this weekend. But first, they have a journey across the Midlands before getting there, with a ceremonial procession taking place.
“We've had enormous interest with people in the public wanting to pay their respect to these fallen soldiers and so we came up with this convoy idea as a way to allow people that opportunity,”’ said South Carolina Battleground Trust CEO Doug Bostick.
Thursday will be a historic day as the soldiers will be in 7 Humvees carrying the coffins along with South Carolina Highway Patrol escorting the remains through Richland and Kershaw Counties.
It will all start at 8:15 a.m. Thursday.
“The convoy will leave the Richland County Coroner’s Office go to Camden Military Academy and then work its way back to Columbia passing through all of the public schools between Camden and Columbia,” Bostick said.
The 14 U.S. soldiers were killed at the Battle of Camden during the Revolutionary War in 1780.
Their bodies were buried in shallow graves in the woods.
No one knows their names, or where they came from, but there’s been an effort to give them a proper burial.
There aren't many funerals for Revolutionary War soldiers today," Bostick said. "I think this is a rare opportunity to pay respects.”
As for roadways, Bostick said the convoy will use I-20 on its way to Camden Military Academy and will then mainly stick to Highway 1 as they pass by 10 schools from 9-11 am before heading toward the State House at Noon for a press conference, followed by a ceremony at Fort Jackson.
“Originally, we had planned to go down Main Street but, because of construction on Main Street, the convoy will go down Bull Street to Pendleton to Sumter. the convoy will then move to Fort Jackson,” Bostick said.
After the ceremony at Fort Jackson, they will take the soldiers to the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, where they will lie in repose until Saturday morning.
The Cornwallis House will be open to the public once they arrive Thursday evening until Midnight.
