Battles & Campaigns · 1781
Siege of Ninety Six
Ninety Six, South Carolina, USA
What happened
Greene's army dug siege works around the Star Fort, a large earthen fort, and built a wooden tower to fire into it. The defenders raised their walls higher in response. On 18 June Greene's assault took a smaller redoubt but could not take the Star Fort.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Greene lifted the siege when British troops under Lord Rawdon approached from Charleston. The setback slowed his campaign to drive the British from South Carolina.
What came next
Rawdon later abandoned Ninety Six. Greene rested his army and fought at Eutaw Springs on 8 September 1781, the last major battle in the South.
Did you know?
Loyalists from Ninety Six were later given land in Nova Scotia and named their township Rawdon after their rescuer.
Timeline
- 25 April 1781Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.
- 22 May 1781The siege begins.
- 18 June 1781Greene's assault fails.
- 8 September 1781Battle of Eutaw Springs.