Stockade Fort - Ninety Six National Historic Site

On November 19, 1775, the first battle of the revolution south of New England was fought between 500 Patriot troops in a makeshift fort west of town commanded by Major Andrew Williamson and 2000 Loyalists commanded by Major Joseph Robinson and Captain Patrick Cunningham. Several days of fighting led to a stalemate and resulted in a formal truce. No British troops were involved in the battle. James Birmingham was the only Patriot to die in that battle and was became "the first South Carolinian to give his life in the cause of freedom."

In August 1780, Lt. Colonel John Harris Cruger arrived in Ninety Six. He built the Stockade Fort near the site of the 1775 battle west of town to guard the western approach to town and to secure the Spring Branch water supply. By building walls between existing farm buildings, Cruger quickly had the Stockade Fort ready for action while his main effort went into building the earthen Star Fort. During the siege of May 22 to June 19, 1781, Cruger commanded about 550 Loyalists while General Nathanael Greene commanded about 1000 Patriots. When Greene ordered an attack after the 28-day siege of Star Fort, he sent Lt. Colonel Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee to attack the Stockade Fort. After quickly capturing the Stockade Fort, Lee wanted to attack the town, but Greene refused the request. The attack on Star Fort did not succeed and 30 of the 50 Patriots known as the Forlorn Hope were killed. The Patriots abandoned the Stockade Fort and retired from the field.

The one-mile walking tour climbs up from Spring Branch to the fort. An opening to the south of the barn allows visitors to tour the inside of the reconstructed fort. I visited in November 2015.

Eastern side of the Stockade Fort

Barn used as part of the fort

A deep ditch surrounds the fort

A raised walk was used for firing over the walls

Front view of the barn

Earth from the ditch was placed around other farm buildings 

The Stockade Fort was very small compared to the Star Fort

Looking south inside the fort

Ditch on the western side of the fort

Fraises overlooked much of the ditch

James Birmingham memorial marker

There is no fee to enter Ninety Six National Historic Site.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/nisi/index.htm.