On this Independence Day

Jul 4, 2024, 4:23 PM

While it’s fine and dandy to recognize the well known figures and battles of the Revolutionary War, like George Washington, Paul Revere, Yorktown, Bunker Hill, etc., it’s very easy to let all that overshadow where the war was truly won……….the backcountry of the Southern Colonies. South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia all played key roles in the battle for our nation’s independence. Numerous battles led by local militias were fought in/on the mountains, forests, farmlands and coast. Many of these battles had a significant impact on the fate of the war, but unfortunately, their importance was never recognized. And with forgotten battles come forgotten, unsung heroes. Many of these Southern backcountry Revolutionary War heroes/figures that deserve just as much praise/recognition as those who have statues, monuments or names forever etched in history books, never received any. And the few who did have been forgotten over time.

My 5th great grandfather, Henry Felder, is one of these heroes. He immigrated from Zurich, Switzerland in 1735 and settled in what was known as the “Orangeburgh District” (present day Orangeburg County) close to St. Matthews Parish. He became the local Justice of the Peace and in 1775 he was elected into the Second Provincial Congress as a representative for St. Matthews Parish. In late 1775/early 1776, he was asked by John Rutledge to write the articles for a Declaration of Separation of the colony of South Carolina from the crown. He did just that and gave the declaration to Rutledge after an official public reading. Fast forward to 1780 and the Declaration was burned, presumably by Hessians, while Rutledge was fleeing during the Siege of Charleston. In addition to being a representative for St. Matthews, my 5th great grandfather was named Captain of the S.C. Militia for the Orangeburgh District and was ordered to produce gunpowder, musket balls and cannons for the newly formed S.C. government. 3 of the cannons he made have survived. 2 are on the square in downtown Orangeburg and the 3rd is on the battery in Charleston amongst all the Civil War era cannons. He led and fought in many battles around the Orangeburgh District up until his death in either 1780 or 1781 while defending his homestead, which had been set on fire by loyalists. He’s just one of many Revolutionary War heroes whose story and actions went unnoticed.

On this Independence Day while you’re celebrating this great nation and maybe even watching a documentary about the Revolutionary War’s famous leaders/heroes and battles, take a moment to remember the unsung backcountry heroes of the Southern Colonies and the sacrifices they made in the battle against tyranny. Without them, who knows what our world would be today.

Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸

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