Incredible Discovery: Burial of Former Adversaries, British and American Soldiers, Side by Side.

[Magna-Carta]

I want to share an intriguing discovery that I recently came across almost by accident. It involves the hasty burial of 14 soldiers in a location closely tied to the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. Among these soldiers, 12 were from the Continental Army, one was a British soldier serving in the 71st Regiment of Foot known as Fraser's Highlanders, a Scottish regiment formed for the Revolutionary War. Another soldier was believed to be a Loyalist fighting for the British cause. Two of the soldiers were identified as teenagers.

In this short video, there is a poignant scene showing a single British soldier alongside the 12 American soldiers, peacefully resting side by side. Their coffins are draped in the flags of their respective nations. It is truly remarkable to witness these former adversaries finding their final resting place together. I believe they will be eventually laid to rest near or at Camden, South Carolina, where the Battle of Camden took place.

These soldiers fought against each other on that fateful day of August 16, 1780, during the Battle of Camden. I think the discovery of these soldiers serves as a poignant reminder of the shared sacrifice and complex dynamics of the Revolutionary War.

 

[Magna-Carta]

Update:

If I understand correctly, it seems that the reinterment of the British and American soldiers occurred a couple of weeks ago on the 22 April.

From the Camden Battle Grown website:

Claire Bates, Chief of UK Defence Communications for the British Embassy in the United States, first heard about the Camden Burials project from her colleague who was speaking with contacts in South Carolina.

While burying Revolutionary War soldiers is certainly a first, Claire Bates shares that being active in the States is not unusual for them, “We attend lots of military exercises and ceremonial events. Wherever we can we turn up in uniform and support our American colleagues we do because it is very important for us to be seen doing what we do together. The UK is the number one ally of the US. I don’t think anyone would argue with that.” Bates continues, “We are always happy to support anything that represents our relationship to its finest. This is a really perfect way of illustrating that.”

Bates further explained that having a British presence at the Camden Burials is symbolic of the transformation of the UK and US relationship since the 18th century. The two countries have migrated from enemies to the closest friends, a change that should be recognized and celebrated. Bates shares that while the relationship between the US and UK is important and should be supported, when possible, the attendance of British soldiers at the events comes from a deeper motivation.

“More importantly than the relationship, it is a soldier who deserves the respect and dignity of a proper burial and that doesn’t matter really if they’re French, German, American, or British. It just so happens that this person is British, and we are there to support,” Bates explains. “Rather it is about giving respect and dignity to someone who fought passionately for a cause they believed in. It’s not really about whose side they were on. It’s just about doing.

 

[Lady]

That was very interesting , I know remains are sometimes found and reburied from the WW1 and WW11 but not read about Soldiers from the 1700s being discovered .