One story told to me by Mrs. Tonya Guy was about a drummer boy who lost his way. Navigating the South Carolina Backcountry, even in 2025, can be difficult. Walking through unfamiliar woods can turn even the most seasoned professionals who enjoy being outdoors around. The mystery of the little drummer boy’s fate and the sounds heard late at night near Edgefield add an intriguing element to this historical account.
Legend says that a young man, believed to have been a drummer boy for his regiment during the American Revolutionary War, was separated from his regiment and perished near Horn Creek. Another says that the young boy died in battle. If you travel into this area at night, be prepared to hear more than some bullfrogs and other creatures from deep in the woods serenading you as you quietly sit and listen. People say you can often hear a drum beat and play in the distance here.
Is the lost little drummer boy still playing to find his lost regiment? Or is the war still being fought in the afterlife on these sacred grounds in Edgefield?
Written By: John G. Clark Jr
Image By: John Clark Jr
