Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Grierson

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. Fort Grierson Marker

Inscription. Approximate location of Ft. Grierson, named after British Lt. Col. James Grierson, who commanded a temporary stronghold at this place during occupation of Augusta by the British under Col. Brown from May, 1780, to June, 1781. After a rendezvous between Richard Henry (Light Horse Harry) Lee, approaching from Sand Bar Ferry with General Elijah Clarke, and General Andrew Pickens, approaching from the North and West, the fort was invested and, after vigorous attack, Grierson attempted to escape with his garrison under protection of the river bank to Fort Cornwallis (site of present St. Paul`s Church). Few escaped; Grierson was captured and while a prisoner, was shot by an unknown Georgia rifleman.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 121-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1780.

Location. 33° 28.727′ N, 81° 58.209′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is at the intersection of 11th Street and Reynolds Street on 11th Street. Alongside Augusta

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Fire Station No. 3. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1099 Reynolds Street, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ware High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Springfield Baptist Church Birthplace of Morehouse College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Transition (about 700 feet away); A Historical Timeline of Augusta (about 700 feet away); We've Come This Far by Faith: (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . . Siege of Augusta. Excerpt:

Fort Grierson was a secondary fortified outpost located about half a mile (0.8 km) from Fort Cornwallis. This fort was defended by about 80 men under Colonel Grierson. On May 23 the Patriot forces began to encircle the fort in a manner intended to draw Grierson out in an attempt to reach Fort Cornwallis. Brown, aware of the danger to Grierson, sallied forth from Cornwallis, but when faced with Lee's strength, limited his support attempt to an ineffective cannonade.

Grierson, desperate
Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008

2. Fort Grierson Marker
to escape the trap, attempted to flee along the riverbank but his entire company was captured. Clarke's men then took their revenge for actions perpetrated by Brown and refused quarter, killing Grierson and all of his men.

(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Fort Grierson Marker at Firehouse No. 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Fort Grierson Marker at Firehouse No. 3

Fort Grierson Marker, seen from Reynolds Street, traveling east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

4. Fort Grierson Marker, seen from Reynolds Street, traveling east

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,108 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on September 5, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.