[3] General Francis Marion leading Revolutionary forces attacked and scattered a contingent of Loyalist troops that had been left to secure the region by British Colonel Banastre Tarleton after his destructive march through the area.

[7] In the aftermath of the British victory, armed Loyalist contingents of between 200-250 men were deployed to secure the countryside to suppress Patriot guerrilla activity, including that of General Francis Marion’s irregular fighting units.

Marion was alerted to the presence of Loyalists at Shepherd's Ferry, on the south side of Black Mingo Creek, then 15 miles (24 km) away.

Alarm shots were heard in the Loyalist camp and British Colonel John Coming Ball mobilized his forces to repulse the rebel attatck.

Ball formed up his men in a moonlit field adjacent to Dollard's Tavern, and ordered them to hold their fire until rebel fighters were within 30 yards (27 meters).