Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The 1780 Siege of Charleston

The Liberty Trail

— Charleston Horn Work —

The 1780 Siege of Charleston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. The 1780 Siege of Charleston Marker

Inscription.

The 1780 Siege of Charleston. The Liberty Trail. In 1780, this square and its surrounding buildings were within the footprint of a massive fortification called the Horn Work. This spot marked the northern perimeter of the City of Charleston, and there was an actual city gate in the center of the Horn Work that straddled the Broad Path, now King Street. On May 12, 1780, American forces commanded by Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier General William Moultrie surrendered to the British army, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, just north of the city gate. When the defeated British evacuated the city toward the end of the war, on December 14, 1782, this gate was the scene of the Patriots' victorious march back into Charleston. , The Horn Work, built of oyster-shell cement called tabby, rose 30 feet from the bottom of the moat in front, stretched more than 600 feet across on the north side, and occupied more than 10 acres of ground. Eighteen large cannons were positioned on the elevated northern walls of the Horn Work. The south side was built of earth and bordered the north side of Boundary Street, now Calhoun Street. During the Siege of Charleston, this fortress served as the tactical center of Patriot defenses., As you look around Marion Square, try to picture the massive structure that covered the site of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, the city parking garage, and the Francis Marion Hotel. Walk into Marion Square to see a small remnant of the tabby Horn Work., (captions) , Surrender at the Horn Work , On May 12, 1780, the Patriots solemnly surrendered their army and the City of Charleston to the British at the Horn Work gate. The vanquished Continentals were denied the honors of war. Instead of marching from the fort with their colors flying, they were forced to pile their arms and furled flags on the ground. - Illustration by Dale Watson, Defending Charleston , This bird's-eye view of the Horn Work reveals the massive size of the fortress and suggests how it appeared when occupied by the Patriots during the Siege of Charleston in early 1780. The rendering was based on archeological studies in Marion Square and archival research. - Illustration by Simons Young + Associates

In 1780, this square and its surrounding buildings were within the footprint of a massive fortification called the Horn Work. This spot marked the northern perimeter of the City of Charleston, and there was an actual city gate in the center of the Horn Work that straddled the Broad Path, now King Street. On May 12, 1780, American forces commanded by Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier General William Moultrie surrendered to the British army, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, just north of the city gate. When the defeated British evacuated the city toward the end of the war, on December 14, 1782, this gate was the scene of the Patriots' victorious march back into Charleston.

The Horn Work, built of oyster-shell cement called tabby, rose 30 feet from the bottom of the moat in front, stretched more than 600 feet across on the north side, and occupied more than 10 acres of ground. Eighteen large cannons were positioned on the elevated northern walls of the Horn Work. The south side was built of earth and bordered the north side of Boundary Street, now Calhoun Street. During the Siege of Charleston, this fortress served as the tactical center of Patriot defenses.

As you look around Marion Square, try to picture the massive structure that covered the site of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church,

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the city parking garage, and the Francis Marion Hotel. Walk into Marion Square to see a small remnant of the tabby Horn Work.

(captions)
Surrender at the Horn Work
On May 12, 1780, the Patriots solemnly surrendered their army and the City of Charleston to the British at the Horn Work gate. The vanquished Continentals were denied the honors of war. Instead of marching from the fort with their colors flying, they were forced to pile their arms and furled flags on the ground. - Illustration by Dale Watson

Defending Charleston
This bird's-eye view of the Horn Work reveals the massive size of the fortress and suggests how it appeared when occupied by the Patriots during the Siege of Charleston in early 1780. The rendering was based on archeological studies in Marion Square and archival research. - Illustration by Simons Young + Associates

Erected by The Liberty Trail, American Battlefield Trust, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust and the Board of Field Officers of the Fourth Brigade.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1780.

Location. 32° 47.238′ N, 79° 56.155′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. The 1780 Siege of Charleston Marker

, in Charleston County. It can be reached from Meeting Street 0.1 miles east of Charlotte Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located within Charleston’s Marion Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 329 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: At the Center of the Siege (here, next to this marker); South Carolina Veterans Flagpole (here, next to this marker); Surrender, then Victory (a few steps from this marker); Dates of Historical Interest (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Charleston’s Horn Work (within shouting distance of this marker); The Liberty Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . .
1. 1780 Siege of Charleston. (Submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Horn Work: Marion’s Square’s Tabby Fortress. (Submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2024. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2024. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.