Fort Watson: Difference between revisions
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== {{PAGENAME}} History == | == {{PAGENAME}} History == | ||
Established in 1780 by British Colonel [[John Watson]] as one of a string of British forts between Charleston and [[Fort Ninety-Six]]. The fort was located atop a 50' Indian mound at Wright's Bluff. The British garrisoned the fort with 80 regulars and 40 loyalists. | Established in 1780 by British Colonel [[John Watson]] as one of a string of British forts between Charleston and [[Fort Ninety-Six]]. The fort was located atop a 50' Indian mound at Wright's Bluff. The British garrisoned the fort with 80 regulars and 40 loyalists. | ||
[[File:Fort Watson - 08.jpg||thumb|left|200px|Fort Watson Visitor Center Markers, Santee Indian Mound can be Seen Across the Water]] | |||
The fort came under siege by Patriot forces commanded by General [[Francis Marion]] (the "Swamp Fox") and Lt. Colonel [[Henry Lee]] ("Light Horse Harry"). The Patriot siege began on 15 Apr 1781 and by 23 Apr 1871 they had constructed a 30' Maham tower that could fire directly into the interior of the fort. Sharpshooters in the tower forced the British to surrender the fort. | |||
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== Current Status == | == Current Status == | ||
[[File:Fort Watson Visitor Ctr.jpg| | [[File:Fort Watson Visitor Ctr.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center]] | ||
[[File:Fort Watson - 12.jpg| | [[File:Fort Watson - 12.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fort Watson Site Marker]] | ||
Several markers at Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Clarendon County, South Carolina. The site of the fort was on top of a Santee Indian mound located a short distance from the visitor center. The mound can be seen across the water from the visitor center. A stairway and wildlife viewing platform provides access to the top of the mound but none of the fort structures have been replicated, the top is covered with vegetation. There is a small stone marker at the edge of the mound parking lot identifying the site. | Several markers at Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Clarendon County, South Carolina. The site of the fort was on top of a Santee Indian mound located a short distance from the visitor center. The mound can be seen across the water from the visitor center. A stairway and wildlife viewing platform provides access to the top of the mound but none of the fort structures have been replicated, the top is covered with vegetation. There is a small stone marker at the edge of the mound parking lot identifying the site. | ||
Revision as of 13:38, 9 May 2013
Fort Watson (1780-1781) - A British Revolutionary War post established in 1780 by British Colonel John Watson in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Named for Colonel John Watson, builder of the fort. Captured by Patriot forces in 1781.
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Fort Watson History
Established in 1780 by British Colonel John Watson as one of a string of British forts between Charleston and Fort Ninety-Six. The fort was located atop a 50' Indian mound at Wright's Bluff. The British garrisoned the fort with 80 regulars and 40 loyalists.
The fort came under siege by Patriot forces commanded by General Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox") and Lt. Colonel Henry Lee ("Light Horse Harry"). The Patriot siege began on 15 Apr 1781 and by 23 Apr 1871 they had constructed a 30' Maham tower that could fire directly into the interior of the fort. Sharpshooters in the tower forced the British to surrender the fort.
Current Status
Several markers at Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Clarendon County, South Carolina. The site of the fort was on top of a Santee Indian mound located a short distance from the visitor center. The mound can be seen across the water from the visitor center. A stairway and wildlife viewing platform provides access to the top of the mound but none of the fort structures have been replicated, the top is covered with vegetation. There is a small stone marker at the edge of the mound parking lot identifying the site.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1235928
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Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Maps & Images Lat: 33.538965 Long: -80.437584 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 724
Links:
- North American Forts - Fort Watson
- Wikipedia - Siege of Fort Watson
- FWS - Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Visited: 9 May 2013
Fort Watson Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |