 After the fall of Charleston , Cornwallis set about establishing a British presence throughout South Carolina . Although he successfully established outposts , keeping communication and supply lines open was an ongoing challenge . Supplies not available locally ( like uniforms , camp gear , arms , and ammunition ) were delivered all too infrequently , and supply ships were frequent targets of local privateers . The weather that summer was rainy , turning the red clay roads of the area into impassable mires . In order to help provide fresh food and forage for his troops , Cornwallis established two commissioners . The first was responsible for administering goods confiscated from Patriots ( he avoided confiscating supplies from Loyalists since he depended on them for manpower and intelligence ) , and the second for administering land that was confiscated . A chronic shortage of hard currency ( another supply only infrequently delivered to Charleston ) made it difficult to purchase supplies from any source , either Patriot or Loyalist . Cornwallis also attempted to reestablish civil authority under British or Loyalist oversight . Although these attempts met with limited success , they were continually undermined by Patriot activity , both political and military , and the indifferent abuses of British and Loyalist forces . The latter took the form of militia companies that harassed Loyalists , small British units , and supply and communication lines . 
