Fort Granby

Front: Fort Granby, a valuable Backcountry outpost during the American Revolution, was established to the west in 1780. It was previously a trading post that included several storehouses and a 2-story dwelling. After retaking Charleston in May 1780, British forces set up a camp at the site which was strategically located near the crossing of roads from Charleston to Ninety Six and Camden to Augusta. By early 1781 they had fortified the store site and garrisoned some 350 men. Reverse: The fort was over a half-acre in size and consisted of an earthen redoubt with multiple bastions, enclosed by a ditch and abatis. Soldiers were armed with two 12-pound cannon as well as several smaller guns. Patriot Gen. Thomas Sumter laid siege to the fort in Feb. and May 1781, pausing the second attempt to move most of his men toward Orangeburg. In his absence, on May 15 Lt. Col. Henry lee captured the fort from British Maj. Andrew Maxwell. It no longer stands.