Summerton in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

REPLACED

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Siege of Fort Watson

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Siege of Fort Watson Marker

Inscription. During the American Revolution, Colonel Lee and his Legion joined General Marion's Brigade along the Santee River. They laid siege to British held Fort Watson on top of Santee Indian Mound. Major Maham's idea was to build a tower for sharpshooters to fire inside the fort. After days of chopping saplings, they erected the tower overnight. April 23,1781 at dawn, firing from the tower led to rapid surrender of Fort Watson.

Erected 2009 by Citizens of Clarendin County, SC Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1781.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 33° 36.476′ N, 80° 20.986′ W. Marker was in Summerton, South Carolina, in Clarendon County. It was at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 301) and South Dukes Street, on the right when traveling south on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Summerton SC 29148, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

and in Santee Cooper Country.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Siege of Fort Watson, April 16-23, 1781 (a few steps from this marker); Wagon Travel

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Patriot and the Redcoat (within shouting distance of this marker); Patriot Departs to Ride with Marion (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Senn's Mill (about 600 feet away); Elusive Francis Marion, 1780-1781 (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Summerton Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerton.

Regarding Siege of Fort Watson. Terry Smith constructs a new interpretation of Fort Watson, March 2009.
Siege of Fort Watson Murals, Newest 4 murals in Summerton, completed April 2009.
Colonel Lee and Lee's Legion joined General Marion and Marion's Brigade on the Santee River. They elected to capture British-held Fort Watson to get supplies. General Thomas Sumter had attacked Fort Watson unsuccessfully on February 28, 1781. Marion's men laid siege to Fort Watson for many days starting April 16, 1781. While waiting for a cannon to arrive,
Major Maham suggested building a tower to have sharpshooters pick off the Redcoats inside the fort. The Patriots

Siege of Fort Watson Marker at corner of Main Street and South Dukes Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 11, 2009

2. Siege of Fort Watson Marker at corner of Main Street and South Dukes Street

gathered saplings for several days and constructed the tower overnight. The use of the tower led to the capture of Fort Watson on April 23rd, 1781, and was the final Battle of Fort Watson.

These murals are donated by the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society, 2009, to bring alive Revolutionary War history on Summerton's Main Street on Baucom's building. Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
(Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society)

Also see . . .
1. The American Revolutionary War. The Siege of Fort Watson (Submitted on October 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Swamp Fox Murals Trail. (Submitted on May 23, 2013, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina.)

Siege of Fort Watson mural, 3 of 4 panels image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 11, 2009

3. Siege of Fort Watson mural, 3 of 4 panels

Swamp Fox Trails Mural , Siege of Fort Watson and Marker, at right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud

4. Swamp Fox Trails Mural , Siege of Fort Watson and Marker, at right

Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida

Fort Watson , Mural concept image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 11, 2009

5. Fort Watson , Mural concept

Fort Watson / Indian Mound as seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

6. Fort Watson / Indian Mound as seen today

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,693 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2026, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.