SC7 Expedition Brings Revolutionary War History to Clinton with Musgrove Mill Hike
June 22, 2026
The South Carolina 7 Expedition will make a stop in Laurens County on Sunday, July 12, with a public hike at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site in Clinton as part of the statewide journey marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The 2026 expedition, the seventh annual SC7, is a 30-day trek across South Carolina that follows the Palmetto Trail from the mountains to the sea. Hosted by the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and led by explorer and South Carolina native Tom Mullikin, the expedition runs throughout July and highlights the state’s natural resources, cultural heritage, conservation work and outdoor recreation. Each day features hikes, paddles, educational programs and service projects open to the public, with stops at the state’s seven natural wonders and other significant sites along the route.
This year’s expedition carries the theme “The Road to Yorktown,” reflecting South Carolina’s role in the Revolutionary War and the chain of backcountry victories that helped lead to the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781. The journey will close July 29 with a ceremony aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston Harbor.
Day 12 of the expedition centers on Clinton and the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. The public event begins at 9 a.m. at the site, located at 398 State Park Road in Clinton. Participants will take part in a 1.5-mile hike rated as easy. The day’s honorary team includes the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site and SC250.
The site preserves the ground where Patriot forces secured a surprising victory against Loyalist troops on Aug. 19, 1780. The win came despite news, received shortly before the battle, of the devastating American defeat at Camden. The victory provided a critical boost to Patriot morale during one of the most difficult stretches of the war and demonstrated the growing strength of local militia forces in the South Carolina backcountry.
Today the scenic trails and preserved battlefield stand as a reminder of South Carolina’s role in the fight for freedom and the legacy of those who fought for independence more than two centuries ago.
As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, organizers say the Clinton stop offers an opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifice and perseverance that helped shape the fight for American independence.
The full 2026 SC7 Digital Field Guide is available at southcarolina7.com.
