Hobkirk Hill Battlefield

The 1781 Battle of Hobkirk's Hill was fought here during the Revolution. Phantom soldiers still march through the pines and musket fire echoes at dawn, or so people say.

On April 25, 1781, British forces under Lord Rawdon surprised American troops under General Nathanael Greene on Hobkirk's Hill just outside Camden. The battle ended in an American retreat with significant casualties on both sides. The hillside battlefield, now partially covered by residential development, still has pockets of undisturbed ground where soldiers fell. Residents near the battlefield report hearing musket fire and shouted commands at dawn, particularly in April near the anniversary. Phantom soldiers in Revolutionary War-era uniforms have been seen marching through the pine trees along the old battle lines. The area around the historical marker on Broad Street is known for sudden temperature drops and a heavy feeling of dread. Camden's role as a major British military post during the war -- with two major battles and the execution of numerous patriots -- contributes to the area's overall haunted reputation.