Santee Indian Mound and Fort Watson

Santee Indian Mound was part of a village complex built some time between 1200-1500. Fort Watson was a British fortification built during the American Revolution, strategically located on a burial ground of the Santee Indians overlooking the nearby Santee River. It was a crucial link in the British supply chain to their troops in the southern colonies. In 1781, the fort was captured by American forces led by General Francis Marion and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Lee after a week-long siege. The victory at Fort Watson enabled the Americans to gain control of the region and disrupt British supply lines, ultimately contributing to the British surrender at Yorktown later that year. Today it is located in the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.