The Battle of Wambaw was an engagement of the American Revolutionary War fought on February 24, 1782 near Charleston, South Carolina. In January 1782, Brig. Gen. Francis Marion was elected to the South Carolina General Assembly and left to take his seat, relinquishing command of the militia forces to Lt. Col. Peter Horry, who lead the men to set up camp along the Wambaw river. Soon after, Horry fell ill and returned to his plantation home to recover, leaving command to Major William Benison. Loyalist Lt Col. Benjamin Thompson learned of the patriot camp and planned an attack on it. He assembled a force of around 700 men made up of elements from the Volunteers of Ireland, the 13th Regiment of Foot, Maj. John Coffin's dragoons, and the Independent Troop of Black Dragoons. Thompson led his men out in the early morning of February 23. The next day, patriot scouts reported to Major Benison that they had seen British forces marching toward their position, but he dismissed the report. Later that day, British forces attacked the camp, forcing the militia forces to retreat across the river over the Wambaw ridge. Patriot forces tried to make a stand on the high ground across the river, but were forced to retreat from there as well.

In January 1782, Brig. Gen. Francis Marion temporarily left his militia brigade to take a seat in the South Carolina General Assembly. The following month, Marion's command, now under Lt. Col. Peter Horry, who continued to exercise authority over his own dragoons, moved to a camp along Wambaw Creek, a tributary of the Santee River. Taken ill, Horry returned to his plantation to convalesce. Major William Benison took over in Horry's absence. Patriot pickets spotted Thompson early the next morning and reported the movement to Benison at Durand's Plantation. Inexplicably, Benison dismissed the report. Benison, ironically, was among the contingent struck first by Thompson. Thompson's men quickly gained the upper hand and drove the Patriot militia back across Wambaw Bridge. The Patriots attempted to make a stand on high ground opposite the bridge but were driven back by the Loyalists. Patriot Maj. John James managed to push up reinforcements which finally brought Thompson's advance to a halt. With darkness looming, Thompson broke off the fight and withdrew to a position at Drake's Plantation. Benison was counted among the slain.