Ninety Six National Historic Site, Greenwood SC December 01, 2012

Ninety Six National Historic Site

Ninety Six, no know really knows how they got the town got its name.  Some say early traders from Charleston, SC thought the intersection of trails was 96 miles south of the Cherokee town of Keowee, near today's Clemson, South Carolina.  Main trades include fur, blankets, beads from the Indians to markets back in Europe.  By the 1700s, this trail became one of the major commercial route, connecting the coast to the back country of South Carolina.

The Entrance of Ninety Six National Historic Site

The Siege of Ninety Six, 1781

The second British attempt to conquer the South began in the late 1778 with an assault on Savannah, Ga.  And on May 12, 1780 captured Charleston, SC, America's fourth largest city and commercial capital of the South.  In the fall of 1780, American patriots turned the war against Cornwallis on October 7 and he lost his entire left offensive arm and its commander Maj. Patrick Ferguson at Kings Mountain  SC.  ON January 17, 1781, he lost his right striking force under Col. Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens.   The critical crossroads- Ninety Six was garrisoned by Lt. Col. John Cruger for the Loyalist.  During this time, the Star Fort was built.  Nathanael Greene and his patriot army of 1000 arrived at Ninety Six on May 21, 1781.  With the lack of heavy artillery, only a siege could bring down Ninety Six.  Col. Thaddeus Kosciuszko came up with sappers (trench diggers) to dig a system of parallels and approach trenches through the hard clay.  They completed the first parallel on June 1, the second on June 3, and the third on June 10.  During the night of June 13 Greene's men built a 30 foot tower of logs close to the fort, hoping to suppress loyalist cannon and musket fire from its top.  Then he learned that a relief column of 2000 British troops was marching to Cruger's aid.  Greene had no choice but had to storm the post before he was trapped between the two forces.  On June 18, the onslaught began at noon.  Col. Henry Lee's legion captured the Stockade Fort west of the village.  Greene launched his attach on Star Fort from the third parallel.  Troops with four 6-pounder cannon could not breach the 10 to 12 foot thick wall.  Greene ordered 50 soldiers forward to prepare the way for the main army in an attempt to pull down sandbags.  Cruger ordered troops into the ditch that surrounded the fort.  Fighting hand-to-hand, loyalists drove off the patriots with both sides taking great losses.  Greene and his army slipped away before the dawn on June 20.  Although Greene lost the siege, his offensive weakened Cruger's stronghold in the backcountry.  By July, the loyalists abandoned Ninety Six and moved to a post nearer the coast.  The original Ninety Six was never recovered as a result of the siege.  

Sophie was here standing in a Revolutionary soldier's footprint.  

Star Fort - It is original.  The contruction begins in December 1780 and finished in early 1781.  It was designed by Loyalist engineer Lt. Henry Haldane.  The Star Shape allowed musket and cannon fire in all directions.  The Star Fort walls were originally about 14 feet high with sand bags around the top giving it a height of about 17 feet during the battle. The walls are a little weatherworn in places, but are original. No major reconstruction has been done to the fort.

The original town of Ninety Six - consisted of 12 hoses, a jail, a court house, and a church.  The British was ordered to burn the town and the town never recovered.  The current Ninety Six town is located approximately 2 miles from the site. 

Looking at the Historic Spring Branch and beyond the trees are the original town of Ninety Six.

Stockade Fort

Inside the Stockade Fort

A rustic window at the Historic Logan Log Cabin.

 Sophie's Final Thought:

It is important to understand and maybe imagine living in the time of struggles.  For the Native Americans who have lived here for generations, it was a struggle for them as well.  Seeing their land they called home for years and seeing their world is being invaded.  Visiting this site really took my breathe away.  Just the thought that people ultimately sacrificed themselves for something they believed in really makes me appreciates what I have.  I know at least they never have any regrets.  Thanks to all of those who have paved our way to our true freedom.  This site is truly unique place and I am proud to have Star Fort, one of the most preserved earthen fort in America in my backyard.