Siege of Fort Watson

Siege of Fort Watson
Part of the American Revolutionary War
19th-century engraving depicting the siege tower
Date April 15–23, 1781 Location near present-day Summerton, South Carolina 33°32′20″N 80°26′16″W / 33.53896°N 80.43783°W / 33.53896; -80.43783 Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Francis Marion Henry Lee III	James McKay
Strength
300 regulars 80 militia	80 regulars 40 militia
Casualties and losses
2 killed 6 wounded	120 captured

The siege of Fort Watson was an American Revolutionary War confrontation in South Carolina that began on April 15, 1781 and lasted until April 23, 1781. Continental Army forces under Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and South Carolina militia under Francis Marion besieged Fort Watson, a fortified British outpost that formed part of the communication and supply chain between Charleston and other British outposts further inland.

The attackers, lacking artillery, were unable to make a dent in the fortified works, and failed in attempts to deny the garrison of a water supply. They then devised a plan to build a tower from which sharpshooters could fire into the fort's walls. Fort Watson was once again attacked by the Americans on April 23, with the British forces unable to control the walls due to musket fire from the tower. They surrendered shortly afterwards.