Old Ninety Six and Star Fort (Ninety Six, South Carolina)
Ninety Six · South Carolina · Revolutionary War
History & Significance
Ninety Six had become a prosperous village of about 100 settlers by the time of the American Revolutionary War. Located at a strategic crossroads in the South Carolina backcountry, the settlement served as a courthouse town and vital trading center.
The village became a Loyalist stronghold early in the war, though the backcountry of the Carolinas was populated both by those loyal to crown and by partisans. Built by Loyalist soldiers and slaves from nearby plantations, the Star Fort was constructed between December 1780 and early 1781; Loyalist engineer Lt. Henry Haldane designed the eight-point star shape to better defend the area.
The British outpost was garrisoned by 550 experienced Loyalists, such as De Lancey's Brigade, formed into Provincial regiments under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Cruger. Under the leadership of his chief engineer Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Greene's forces focused their efforts on the star-shaped fort.
The 37-day siege was the longest of the Revolutionary War. Though the siege ultimately failed, by the time the British left Ninety Six of their own accord, on July 1, 1781, it was the last Loyalist fort in South Carolina. Ninety Six National Historic Site was established in 1976 to preserve the original site of Ninety Six, South Carolina, a small town established in the early 18th century.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Star-shaped earthen fort used as British stronghold during 1781 siege
- Visitor center with museum exhibits on Revolutionary War strategy and tactics
- Interpretive trails across the battlefield grounds
- Remains of the fortified village settlement
- Site of failed 28-day Continental Army siege
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/nisi/index.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety_Six_National_Historic_Site
- https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/ninety-six
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Ninety_Six
- https://townofninetysix.sc.gov/parks
- https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/ninety-six-battles-of/
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-22/patriot-siege-of-ninety-six-south-carolina-begins
Other Forts in South Carolina
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