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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 10:38 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

TomWeidner5SIMPSONVILLE — The South Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution (SCSSAR) celebrated the 235th anniversary of the Battle of the Great Cane Brake, Saturday, at Historic Hopkins Farm near the battle site.

Charlie Porter, a past SCSSAR president, was master of ceremonies and organized the event. SCSSAR President Ted Morton and Redding I. “Rick” Corbett III, vice president general of the SAR’s South Atlantic District, spoke to the assembled guests.

The Dec. 22, 1775, battle was fought between a force of South Carolinians under Col. William Thomson and a band of Tories under Patrick Cunningham. The Tories were completely routed, and Cunningham narrowly escaped.

The ceremony opened with traditional music by Lib Porter and friends. The SAR and mixed color guards along with bagpiper Cameron Gabriel presented the colors. Jane Hopkins sang the National Anthem. She, along with her brother John and their families, own Hopkins Farm. The Hopkins families have owned the farm since 1834. John Hopkins coordinates the program with the SAR.

J.D. Norris, SCSSAR historian, led the Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR pledge, and David Johnson, SCSSAR chaplain, gave the invocation. Courtney Arnold sang several selections throughout the ceremony.

Victor Compton, president of the Col. Robert Anderson SAR chapter, welcomed the audience of about 250, and Tom Weidner, also of the Col. Robert Anderson Chapter, gave a history of the Battle of the Great Cane Brake.

Don Burton, who makes Revolutionary period weapons, gave a presentation on how these weapons were made.

Guest speakers were Steve Loftis, Greenville County sheriff, and Lt. Col. Stephen Shivers. Cadet Jacob Adams of the Furman ROTC played Taps. Major Joseph Windley, commander of the USAF Junior ROTC at Southside High School, delivered a prayer for the military before chaplain David Johnson gave the invocation.

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