Fort Watson

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. Siege of Fort Watson Showing the Maham Tower Site of Fort Watson at the Top of the Santee Indian Mound. Note the Present Day Water level. Site of Fort Watson, Santee Indian Mound 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. Fort Watson Visitor Center Markers, Santee Indian Mound can be Seen Across the Water The first attack on the British fort began on 28 Feb 1781 with Patriot troops under the command of General Thomas Sumter making a direct assault. The Patriots did not have artillery support and the British had two cannons. The assault was turned back by the British and the Patriots suffered significant losses. The fort later 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 into the interior of the fort. Sharpshooters in the tower forced the British to surrender the fort. Current Status Santee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 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. Fort Watson Visitor Center Marker Gen Marion & Battle Markers at Visitor Center Fort Watson Site Marker Fort Signage atop the Mound USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1235928 {"selectable":false,"width":"500"} Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Maps & Images Lat: 33.538965 Long: -80.437584 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 79' 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 Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!