Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
INTRODUCED
March 6, 2012
H. 4903
S. Printed 3/6/12--S.
Read the first time March 6, 2012.
TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO NAME THE BOAT LANDING LOCATED ON THE WATEREE RIVER AT U.S. HIGHWAY NO. 1 IN KERSHAW COUNTY AS "PATRIOTS LANDING" AND TO INSTALL APPROPRIATE SIGNS CONTAINING THE WORDS "PATRIOTS LANDING" ON THE PROPERTY, AS WELL AS PLAQUES EXPLAINING THE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS LOCATION.
Whereas, American troops, commanded by Colonel Thomas Sumter, captured a small earthen fort controlling the ferry over the Wateree River from Loyalists, commanded by South Carolina Loyalist militia Colonel James Cary, on August 15, 1780. Cary's Fort was located about one mile downstream. Sumter's South Carolina militia was commanded by Colonel Thomas Taylor and Colonel Edward Lacey. Shortly thereafter, these Americans captured two companies of British regulars of the 33rd Regiment and the 71st Regiment (Frasier's Highlanders) who were marching from Ninety Six to reinforce Lord Charles Cornwallis in Camden. They also captured forty wagons of badly needed food and military supplies and over three hundred cattle to feed General Horatio Gates' starving Continental Army; and
Whereas, American troops, practicing for the invasion of Italy, conducted the first American regimental size parachute drop in the fields west of the Wateree River on March 29, 1943. Douglas C-47 transport aircraft dropped over one thousand men of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (101st Airborne Division - "All American") from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with precision to avoid collisions between the aircraft and descending paratroopers. Unfortunately, three soldiers perished in these maneuvers. These soldiers and airmen, using the skills and experiences gained here, dropped the regiment at midnight near Gela, Sicily, behind enemy lines, in the largest airborne assault to date in World War II on July 9, 1943. The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment was commanded by Colonel James M. Gavin; and
Whereas, the location of these historically important actions or endeavors is what is now the location of and the environs surrounding a Department of Natural Resources boat landing on the Wateree River at U.S. Highway No. 1 in Kershaw County, and the General Assembly, by this resolution, is desirous of recognizing this significant site through the naming of this landing in honor of the American Patriots who were involved in the actions and endeavors outlined above at this location. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly request the Department of Natural Resources to name the boat landing located on the Wateree River at U.S. Highway No. 1 in Kershaw County as "Patriots Landing" and to install appropriate signs containing the words "Patriots Landing" on the property, as well as plaques explaining the historical importance of this location.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources.
This web page was last updated on March 6, 2012 at 5:41 PM