Siege of Ninety Six

Siege of Ninety-Six
Part of the American Revolutionary War

Lord Rawdon – lifted the Siege so the Loyalists could escape
DateMay 22 – June 19, 1781
Location34°8′49″N 82°1′28″W / 34.14694°N 82.02444°W / 34.14694; -82.02444
Result British victory
Belligerents
United States  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders

United States Nathanael Greene
United States Andrew Pickens
United States Henry Lee

Poland Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Loyalist (American Revolution) John Cruger (military officer)
Strength
1,000–1,500 550
Casualties and losses
57 killed
70 wounded
20 missing
27 killed
58 wounded

The siege of Ninety Six was a siege in western South Carolina late in the American Revolutionary War. From May 22 to June 18, 1781, Continental Army Major General Nathanael Greene led 1,000 troops in a siege against the 550 Loyalists in the fortified village of Ninety Six, South Carolina. The 28-day siege centered on an earthen fortification known as Star Fort. Despite having more troops, Greene was unsuccessful in taking the town, and was forced to lift the siege when Lord Rawdon approached from Charleston with British troops.

The area is now protected as Ninety Six National Historic Site and was designated a National Historic Landmark. Many of the surviving Loyalists were later relocated by the Crown and granted land in Nova Scotia, where they named their township Rawdon to commemorate their rescuer.