Battle of Lindley's Fort facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Lindley's Fort
Part of the American Revolutionary War and the Cherokee–American wars
Date July 15, 1776 Location Laurens County, near present-day Laurens, South Carolina Result Patriot victory
Belligerents
South Carolina Patriots	South Carolina Loyalists Cherokees
Commanders and leaders
Jonathan Downs
Strength
150 militia	190 Loyalists and Cherokee warriors
Casualties and losses
	2 killed, 13 captured

The Battle of Lindley's Fort happened on July 15, 1776. It was a fight during the American Revolutionary War. This battle was part of a plan by Loyalists and Cherokee people. They wanted to take control of the backcountry area of South Carolina.

Loyalists were colonists who stayed loyal to Britain. Patriots were colonists who wanted independence. The Cherokee joined the fight because settlers were taking their land. Many settlers in the area sought safety at Lindley's Fort. This fort was in what is now Laurens County. About 150 Patriot militiamen arrived at the fort. The next day, a group of Loyalists and Cherokee attacked. The fort's defenders fought them off. When the attackers pulled back, the Patriots chased them. Two Loyalists were killed, and 13 were captured.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The American Revolutionary War began in the Thirteen Colonies. At first, Native American groups were not directly involved in the fighting in the South. By late 1775, there were many conflicts. These fights were between Loyalists and Patriots in South Carolina. Many Loyalist leaders were arrested or had to flee.

Some Loyalists found safety in nearby Cherokee towns. These towns were in what is now western South Carolina. In early 1776, a group of northern Native Americans visited the Cherokee. They convinced younger Cherokee warriors to join the fight against the colonists.

The British Indian agent, John Stuart, tried to keep the Cherokee neutral. But he soon realized that war was coming. He then tried to guide the Cherokee's actions. He wanted their attacks to help the British war efforts.

The Fight at Lindley's Fort

The Cherokee began their attacks on July 1, 1776. Henry Laurens wrote that the Cherokee attacked suddenly. He said they were led by white men. They killed about 60 South Carolinians. This timing was good for the Cherokee. A large British force was near Charleston, South Carolina. But their attack on the city failed on June 28. This was at the Battle of Sullivan's Island. Because of this, General Charles Lee could not send help.

When the Cherokee attacks started, settlers fled their homes. They went to frontier forts for safety. Lindley's Fort was one of these forts. It was an old fort from the Anglo-Cherokee War of the 1760s. Refugees fixed it up and made it stronger.

On July 14, a group of militia arrived at the fort. They were led by Major Jonathan Downs. This brought the total number of armed defenders to about 150.

The next day, about 190 Loyalists and Cherokee arrived. They tried to attack the fort. But the fort's stockade walls were strong. They could not be broken by muskets or tomahawks. The attackers then started to leave the fort. They wanted to find easier targets nearby. Major Downs then led a sortie (a quick attack) from the fort. In the running battle, he captured about 10 Loyalists.

What Happened Next?

The Cherokee attacks in 1776 caused a big reaction. The colonies of Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia sent many militia troops. They launched campaigns against the Cherokee. From late July to early October 1776, thousands of militia entered Cherokee lands. They destroyed crops and villages.

The Cherokee people fled before the advancing troops. They found safety in lands further to the west and south. The site of Lindley's Fort is outside Laurens, South Carolina. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.