The Patriots used a mix of naval and land strategies while fighting in the South during the American Revolution. At sea, the Patriots relied heavily on privateers—privately owned armed ships commissioned to attack British commerce ships. These privateers captured a large number of British vessels, hurting British shipping and economy. The American Navy, though small and less powerful compared to the British Royal Navy, achieved some successes through innovation, strong leadership, and leveraging alliances with the French and Spanish navies to contest British sea control. The Patriots also used camouflage and clever formations to defend waterways and lure British ships into traps.
On land in the South, after major British victories like the capture of Charleston and Savannah, the Patriots shifted to guerrilla warfare led by local militia leaders such as Francis Marion ("Swamp Fox"), Thomas Sumter ("Gamecock"), and Andrew Pickens ("Wizard Owl"). This style used hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and sabotage to wear down British forces. These irregular tactics exploited local knowledge and mobility, contrasting the British conventional army style. The Patriots also relied on militia forces alongside regular troops to disrupt British control and supply lines in the southern colonies.
Thus, Patriot strategy in the South was a combination of naval privateering and allied naval cooperation at sea, along with guerrilla warfare and militia resistance on land. This multi-faceted approach helped them resist and eventually overcome British advances in the Southern Theater.
