Snow's Island

National Register Listing

Street Address:

Address Restricted, Johnsonville, SC City Vicinity (Florence County)

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NRHP Nomination

NRHP Boundary Increase and Additional Documentation

Record Number:

S10817721017

Description and Narrative:

Significant as a Revolutionary War campsite, Snow’s Island served as headquarters, supply depot, and retreat for General Francis Marion’s partisan forces during the crucial winter of 1780-81. Snow’s Island is the most famous of wilderness retreats of General Marion, the man whose hit-and-run tactics and crafty elusiveness earned him the nickname “Swamp Fox.” General Marion was one of three partisan generals who helped turn the tide against the British in the South. The ideal location of Snow’s Island afforded the launching of numerous harassment and interception raids on British outposts as well as a major assault upon the Georgetown garrison conducted by the combined forces of General Marion and Colonel “Light Horse” Harry Lee on January 25, 1781. Despite extensive measures taken by Marion to insulate the island from enemy attack, continued tactical successes of the partisan forces convinced the British command that destruction of the camp was essential. In late March of 1781, while Marion repelled and pursued one British attack force, another under Colonel Doyle penetrated to Snow’s Island and destroyed the camp. Marion never used Snow’s Island again after Doyle’s raid. Listed in the National Register March 14, 1973; Designated a National Historic Landmark December 2, 1974.

Period of Significance:

1782

Level of Significance:

State

Area of Significance:

Military

National Register Determination:

National Historic Landmark

Date of Certification:

March 14 1973

Date of Boundary Increase:

July 3 2013

Date of Certification as a National Historic Landmark:

December 2 1974

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