Ninety Six National Historic Site, SC (6-24-12)
Read MoreStockade Fort
The Stockade Fort was the scene of the action during the attack of 1775. The 600 defenders inside held off 1,900 attackers for a number of days. During the battle and seige of 1781 the stockade was reinforced but was eventually overwhelmed and captured by Patriot forces under the command of "Light-horse" Harry Lee...
Stockade Fort
The Stockade Fort was the scene of the action during the attack of 1775. The 600 defenders inside held off 1,900 attackers for a number of days. During the battle and seige of 1781 the stockade was reinforced but was eventually overwhelmed and captured by Patriot forces under the command of "Light-horse" Harry Lee.
This is a shot of the interior of the fort from the front gate...Stockade Fort
The Stockade Fort was the scene of the action during the attack of 1775. The 600 defenders inside held off 1,900 attackers for a number of days. During the battle and seige of 1781 the stockade was reinforced but was eventually overwhelmed and captured by Patriot forces under the command of "Light-horse" Harry Lee.
The placement of the Stockade Fort was due to this small well, an important source of water for the village and the fort itself...Stockade Fort
The Stockade Fort was the scene of the action during the attack of 1775. The 600 defenders inside held off 1,900 attackers for a number of days. During the battle and seige of 1781 the stockade was reinforced but was eventually overwhelmed and captured by Patriot forces under the command of "Light-horse" Harry Lee.
This is a shot of the interior of the fort from the well...Stockade Fort
The Stockade Fort was the scene of the action during the attack of 1775. The 600 defenders inside held off 1,900 attackers for a number of days. During the battle and seige of 1781 the stockade was reinforced but was eventually overwhelmed and captured by Patriot forces under the command of "Light-horse" Harry Lee...
The Forlorn Hope
With British reinforcements fast approaching, Patriot General Nathaniel Greene was forced to attack the fort on June 18, 1781. The plan involved a small shock force of 50 troops to breach the walls which would allow the main force to then advance and overwhelm the defenders. The members of this small force were soon dubbed "The Forlorn Hope" as little faith was held in the success of the attack...
The Forlorn Hope
The troops of the so called 'Forlorn Hope' began their attack at noon on June 18. The desperate attack soon bogged down as the Forlorn Hope was pinned in the 15-foot deep trench at the base of the wall. A few managed to claw their way up to the parapet but then a force of 60 Loyalists exited the rear of the fort and, within the trench, charged the Patriots from both sides. The Forlorn Hope was quickly overwhelmed, 30 of their 50 falling dead in the attack. With the failure of the attack, all hope of capturing the fort was lost...
Ninety Six Jail
Key to curb lawlessness on the frontier was a courthouse and jail. Standing where the white stakes are placed in this shot, the jail was constructed in 1772. The jail escaped the firey fate suffered by the rest of the town but eventually was torn down following the war so the bricks could be used elsewhere...