Battle of camden, 1780

The Battle of Camden was one of several devastating defeats suffered by the Americans in the early stages of the British military offensive in the South. ... In July, American General Horatio Gates marched his army into South Carolina, intent on liberating the state from British control. He commanded a force of 5,000 men. The official enlistment age for the Continental Army was 16, (15 with parental consent) but soldiers could sign on up to the age of 55. The majority of Continental soldiers were young men, usually around 17 or 18 years old.