Sumter, Thomas

Thomas (1734-1832), a partisan leader in the War of the American Revolution. He was born in Virginia. He died near Camden, South Carolina. He was present at Braddock's defeat in 1755. After the surrender of Charleston to the British in 1780, Sumter placed himself at the head of a body of light horse similar to that led by Marion. His pluck, endurance, and activity gained him the name of the "Carolina Game Cock." He swept down upon the foraging parties of Cornwallis with such cheerfulness and cut off portions of cavalry with such success that the British commander declared him one of his "greatest plagues." Tarleton caught him napping on the Catawba once. At the close of the war Congress gave Sumter a vote of thanks for gallant action at Eutaw Springs. Later South Carolina sent him to Congress, first as a representative and afterward as a senator. In 1809 President Madison appointed him United States minister to Brazil. Sumter was the last surviving officer of the Revolutionary army. See Marion