The Battle of Blue Savannah occurred on August 13, 1780, when Brigadier General Francis Marion and a band of Patriot guerrillas ambushed and defeated a force of 200 Loyalist militia. At the time, British forces occupied South Carolina and Marion's operations, including his victory at Blue Savannah, undermined British control in the Palmetto State. After his successful victory at Great Savannah/Nelson's Ferry (First) on August 20, Lt. Col. Francis Marion and his 52-man force moved east to escape the British pursuit. When Marion was about 60 miles away, he made camp for his weary troops at Port Ferry, which was located on the Peedee River. To the northeast, Maj. Micajah Ganey learned that Marion had camped nearby. Maj. Micajah Ganey and Capt. Jesse Barfield who had 200 to 250 loyalists in their camp on the Little Pee Dee River. Ganey and Barfield themselves had intended to attack Marion the next day. Along with Ganey was a small detachment of the 63rd Regiment. On August 4, Ganey formed up the local Tory militia and headed to the Americam camp. They started down the Peedee River early in the morning. Marion learned of this movement and decided to meet it head-on. He sent an advance guard, commanded by Major John James, located the 45-man Tory advance guard and routed the Tories. Ganey’s own force had 45, 30 of these were killed or wounded, while Ganey and the rest of his force were dispersed.

Captain Jesse Barfield with 200 loyalists attempted to attack Marion, but was himself ambushed in the attempt near Blue Savannah on Britton’s Neck where Marion had retreated after his attack on Ganey. Barfield’s men fled into Little Pee Dee Swamp. Marion lost four men wounded, two horses killed. On August 5, about 60 volunteers joined Marion, bringing his force strength up to about 110. On the 7th, he then proceeded to fortify Port's Ferry, on the eastern bank of the Pee Dee, having with him for that purpose two small field pieces. At the time, Wemyss was still in the neighborhood of Kingstree with roughly 270 men, and awaiting reinforcements from Camden. Marion's success broke the spirit of the local Tories east of the Peedee River. Marion's victory also encouraged 60 more local volunteers to join his outfit, thus doubling his total number of men. The Battle of Blue Savannah was Francis Marion’s first battle, and first victory of many, in the American Revolution against the British and Loyalists in the South. Effectively alone, Marion carried the Patriot cause in South Carolina while other American forces reorganized or continued to muster. Dubbed the “Swamp Fox” by Banastre Tarelton, Marion roused the entire Pee Dee and Santee river basins against the British.