Deep in the rugged backcountry of South Carolina, a small but strategically vital outpost known as Lindley’s Fort became a flashpoint during the tumultuous years of the American Revolution. This frontier stronghold, owned by Captain James Lindley, a staunch Loyalist, played a significant role in the intricate conflicts that defined the struggle for independence in the southern colonies.
Originally established in the 1760s by a private individual, Lindley’s Fort served as a crucial sanctuary for settlers seeking protection from disturbances with native tribes. Its location near the Saluda River in the old Ninety-Six District made it a natural gathering place, and it quickly became a hub for Loyalist activities, with Colonel Thomas Fletchall holding important meetings at James Lindley’s home.
A Frontier Bastion in a Divided Land
The Origins and Purpose of a Backcountry Fort
The establishment of fortifications like Lindley’s Fort was a common necessity in the South Carolina backcountry. As European settlers pushed further inland, they encountered ongoing tensions and conflicts with indigenous populations, primarily various native tribes. These simple, often privately constructed forts were vital for community defense, offering refuge during periods of unrest and serving as centers for local militias.
Captain James Lindley, the fort’s namesake, was a prominent figure in the region and a committed Loyalist, aligning himself with the British Crown against the burgeoning Patriot movement. His allegiance placed him in Colonel Thomas Fletchall’s regiment, a key Loyalist command in the upcountry. This division of loyalties was characteristic of the southern colonies, where the Revolution often devolved into a bitter civil war between neighbors, a conflict far more personal and brutal than in other regions.
Loyalist Stronghold and Brewing Tensions
The early stages of the American Revolution in the southern colonies were marked by escalating tensions between Loyalist and Patriot factions. By late 1775, many prominent Loyalist leaders in South Carolina faced arrest, flight, or expulsion. A number of these dispossessed Loyalists found refuge among the nearby Cherokee towns in the southern Appalachian Mountains, a development that would profoundly impact the nature of the conflict.
These Loyalists, alongside British Indian agents like John Stuart, recognized the strategic advantage of forming alliances with Native American tribes. While Stuart initially sought to maintain Cherokee neutrality, the escalating conflict and the Cherokee’s own grievances over land encroachment made an alliance with the British an increasingly viable option.
The Spark of Conflict: Native American Involvement
Cherokee Alliance with the British
By early 1776, a delegation of northern Indians arrived in the Cherokee villages, successfully persuading a younger generation of warriors to
