Siege of Fort Watson, April 16-23, 1781

During the American Revolution, Colonel Lee’s Legion of Virginia 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 by the British.