I don’t usually post on the Revolutionary War but I’m making an exception for the 4th of July. Recently I made a trip to Moncks Corner’s Old Santee Canal Park (900 Stony Landing Road, Monks Corner, SC- link) to see the replica of the CSS David, the subject of a future post. The Old Santee Canal Park is also the home of Fort Fair Lawn. I had seen a quote online from Doug Bostick, Executive Director for the SC Battleground Preservation Trust,“Fort Fair Lawn is probably the most pristine, intact, original American Revolutionary War fortification in South Carolina, if not the country.” The approximately one mile walking trail was opened to the public in late 2023 and is nicely interpreted. As you will see from the images the redoubt is completely intact and very well taken care of. Mr. Bostick was not exaggerating it is a true gem and completely intact. Although its a 45 minute ride from Charleston, if you are looking for a day trip the Canal Park with its extensive walking trails, the CSS David replica, the Berkeley County Museum (nice exhibit on the Revolutionary War in SC and even a few small cannons), the separate Interpretive Center (nice exhibit on the David), and the Stoney Landing house which are all on the property made it completely worthwhile. The park charges a $5 admission fee.

Summarized from a sign that is no longer located at the fort- Located near Stony Landing on Biggin Creek swamp, the fortified Colleton “castle” mansion and the separate redoubt fort played a substantial role as a British operating base, communications center, supply depot, and hospital. The fort was strategically placed at the head of the Cooper River along the plantation avenue from the landing to the mansion to the main public road. The most significant British outpost along the 113 miles between Charles Town (Charleston) and Camden, Fort Fair Lawn protected British troop maneuvers, deployment, and intelligence lines in the South Carolina interior. Fair Lawn was involved in the British attack led by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton against South Carolina General Isaac Huger in the April 14, 1780, Battle for Moncks Corner as part of the British capture of Charles Town (Charleston). 

The redoubt was constructed by the British in the summer of 1780. It played a British supporting role against Brigadier General Thomas Sumter’s attack on Biggin Church on July 16-17, 1781. In late-August through mid-November 1781, Fair Lawn was a key post for assembling to and recovery from the Eutaw Springs battlefield. Brigadier General Francis Marion, Lieutenant Colonel Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee (father of Robert E. Lee), and Captain Wade Hampton harassed the British post in the week of September 9-12 following the British retreat from the Eutaws. On November 17, 1781, Colonel Hezekiah Maham Colonels Isaac Shelby and John Sevier, dispatched by Brigadier General Francis Marion, attacked Fair Lawn Plantation. Maham threatened but decided the redoubt was too formidable and costly to assault. Charging half a mile west, they took on the fortified Colleton Castle, which more readily surrendered to the tomahawk-wielding Americans. The attack resulted in the capture of 300 stands of arms, a quantity of other stores, medical parolees, and 76 prisoners. The Patriots had 12 British convalescents removed to the fort and took off the rest by horseback.

The preservation of Fort Fair Lawn was accomplished by a strategic partnership between the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust and the South Carolina Battleground Trust. The American Battlefield Trust also joined in the effort. Acquisition funding was provided by the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the National Park Service, and the South Carolina Ports Authority. Additional partners including the Old Santee Canal Park, Berkeley Museum, South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, McKee Foods, and Home Telecom also joined to make this historic park a reality.

Entering the fort

Walking around the exterior