The American Revolution was a momentous conflict, the outcome of which would influence the birth of a nation. Army regulars fought in massive and famous battles from New England to Virginia, but in the South a different kind of warfare was afoot. Local militia, sometimes stiffened by a small core of the Continental Line, played a pivotal role. This lesser-known war ultimately decided the fate of the Revolution by thwarting the British "Southern strategy".

In this book, the authors uniquely focus on the history of their own ancestors, who fought for the South Carolina Militia, to show just how effective the irregular forces were in a complex war of raids, ambushes, and pitched battles. The book explores the tactics, equipment, leadership and performance of the opposing Patriot and Rebel forces, bringing to life the vicious struggle in the South.

Ed Gilbert is a retired geoscientist, the author of a four-volume series on the history of the US Marine Corps tank units, and has written several numbers in the Osprey Warrior and Battle Orders series.

Catherine Gilbert is a retired speech pathologist and audiologist. Her interest in genealogy led to extensive research into the organization and activities of the militia in the American War of Independence. Ed and Cathy are residents of Texas.