Recent Blog Posts
Dicey Langston Springfield: Revolutionary War Heroine October 15, 2026 - Almost 250 years ago in the woods of what became Laurens County, South Carolina, a teenage girl risked her life for the cause of American freedom. Dicey Langston served as a spy and rescued family members and Patriot militiamen from vengeful Loyalists. Dicey’s most daring effort was to sneak away… Read More »
I’m Now with South Carolina Humanities October 15, 2026 - I adopted the Revolutionary War as my hobby when I retired from ministry in 2017. Over nine years I have read dozens of books, attended dozens of seminars and conferences, walked the grounds of dozens of battle and skirmish sites, learned dozens of research techniques, and made dozens of friends.… Read More »
Revelations from the Camden Battlefield October 13, 2026 - The Battle of Camden took place on the morning of August 16, 1780. The Continental Army suffered a devastating defeat. Hundreds lost their lives while hundreds more suffered injuries and/or were taken prisoner by Red Coats. The victorious British hastily dug shallow graves and unceremoniously threw in the Patriots’ bodies.… Read More »
A state with two mottos
While I Breathe, I Hope
I don't know why, but South Carolina has two state mottos. Also, don't ask me why they are not written in plain English. Instead, the mottos are both in a language very few of us can read, Latin.
The first motto is Animis Opibusque Parati which means Prepared in Mind and Resources. I like it. But it does not do much for me.
The other motto, however, uplifts and inspires. It reads Dum Spiro Spero and translates While I Breathe I Hope.