2017 12 10 Ninety Six National Historic Site

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Early morning walk down by the bay with steam rising on the water. The temperature here was 27 degrees. Glad that didn't happen a few days ago when we had two days of rain. 

Frost on the window. 

Some days are better than others. Home made cinnamon rolls before we go out. 

There is some debate about why this area is called Ninety-Six. It is speculated that it was named for the distance from a local trading post here to the Cherokee village 96 miles away. Initially there was trade between the local Native Americans and white settlers until the 1750s when friction grew. The settlers built a stockade which became Fort Ninety Six. In 1760, the Cherokee attacked twice but failed to capture the fort. The British offered protection from the Cherokee and incentives of financial aid, free tools and free land in order to create loyalties to the Crown.  

There are several walking paths throughout the site. This is a 250 year old site. The ramparts and trenches are eroded but sufficient remaining to visualize. 

Bob consults with a fur trader on the safest path to the fort.  

One of the several historic roads used for commerce. Decades of travel by foot, horse and wagon cut the road to today's depth. We are heading towards the earthworks of Star Fort. 

The foreground is where the Patriot forces staged their attacks by digging zig-zag approach trenches and a 30 foot log rifle tower to shoot down into the Star Fort which is the raised area in the background.  

I am standing at the top of the Star Fort. The star shape allowed the Loyalists to cover every angle around the Fort. This backcountry garrison was the heart of British defenses in the area. General Nathalael Greene looked at the formidable defenses, along with his lack of heavy artillery, ruled out a quick, direct assault. Only a siege could bring it down, the first in the South. 

The Stockade Fort built to guard the town's water supply. Colonel Harry Light Horse Lee (father of General Robert E. Lee) captured the fort but only held it until General Greene ended the attack when 2000 additional British troops arrived. One month later, the British abandoned the village in a smoking ruin; they set fire to the buildings, filled in the siege-works, and tried to destroy the Star Fort.