SUMTER, THOMAS

born Aug. 14, 1734, Hanover county, Va. died June 1, 1832, South Mount, S.C., U.S. legislator and officer in the U.S. War of Independence, remembered for his leadership of troops against British forces in North and South Carolina, where he earned the sobriquet of the Carolina Gamecock. Sumter served in the French and Indian War and later moved to South Carolina. After the fall of Charleston (1780) he escaped to North Carolina, where he became brigadier general of state troops. After successes over the British at Catawba and at Hanging Rock (Lancaster county), he was defeated the same year at Fishing Creek (Chester county). He defeated Mayor Wemyss at Fishdam Ford and repulsed Colonel Banastre Tarleton at Blackstock (both in Union county) in November 1780. After the war Sumter served in the U.S. House of Representatives (178993; 17971801) and in the U.S. Senate (180110). He was the last surviving general officer of the War of Independence. Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor was named for him.