SUM'TER, THOMAS (1734-1832). An Ameri can soldier, born in Virginia. He early removed to South Carolina ; accompanied several expedi tions against the Cherokee Indians; served under Braddock in 1755, and in March. 1776, became lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment of South Carolina Riflemen. Until the capture of Charleston (I7S0). he served in the interior of the State against the Loyalists and Indians; but subsequently raised a regiment in North Carolina and engaged actively in partisan war fare. On July 12, 1780, he defeated a force of mounted infantry under Captain Huck, and soon afterwards was made a brigadier-general of State troops. On August 1st he made a spirited but unsuccessful attack on Rocky Mount, and on August 6th defeated 500 regulars and Tories at Hanging Rock, but, his men dispersing, he was subsequently driven back. lie then by a brilliant movement cut Cornwallis's line of communications between Charleston and Camden, capturing a supply train with its convoy: hat three days later his force was almost annihilated by Tarleton at Fishing Creek. Enlisting an
other regiment. lie defeated Major Wemys at Broad River (November 9th), and on November 20th repulsed an attack of Tarleton at Black stock Hill. the latter losing 200 in killed and wounded, while the Americans lost 3 killed and 4 wounded. Here Sumter was severely wounded, but he returned to the army in February, 1781, and continued to render the most efficient service as a partisan commander. After the war Sum ter sat in the State convention of South Carolina which ratified the Federal Constitution. was a member of Congress in 17S9-93 and 1797-1801, and of the United States Senate from 1801 to 1809 and again from 1811 to 1817, and was nited States Minister to Brazil in 1809-11. He was the last surviving general officer of the Revolution.