The American Revolutionary history world lost a legend recently with the passing of Charles Baxley of Lugoff, South Carolina.

Professionally, Charles was a retired attorney with Baxley, Wells & Benson in Lugoff, SC. Charles attended the University of South Carolina where he received his J.D. in 1976. He served as a judge for fifteen years, served as a Captain in United States Airforce Reserves and was involved in many community and professional organizations. But Charles’ real passion was history, especially the American Revolution. Charles worked with many local historians and organizations to preserve and then interpret the Camden battlefield. Few knew the Camden story as much as Charles. Charles He was the editor and publisher of the on-line magazine, Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution and worked hard to tell the story of South Carolina in the American Revolution.

 Charles Baxley with Rick Wise and Mark Wilcox on the Camden Battlefield.

Most recently, Charles served as the Chair of the South Carolina 250th Commission and was deeply involved with the Liberty Trail and the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. Charles welcomed anyone who was researching South Carolina in the Revolution and that is where we met him nearly 15 years ago. Charles expected accuracy and great research and was not one to “suffer fools.” But his southern charm endeared him to many and we are honored to have called Charles a friend. He was instrumental in assisting us in our book about Camden “All That Can Be Expected” and used a fine tooth comb over our manuscript, especially the maps. His passion for this chapter in South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history truly inspired us, as authors, to get the Camden story right. There will never be another Charles and the loss is a big one for preservation and history, but it is our job to make sure his work continues and be sure we do it based in research and most of all, passion.

Rob Orrison and Mark Wilcox●