Marion Square Rev War History Comes to Life In New Installation

February 2, 2024

Governor McMaster, state and local leaders celebrate newest addition to The Liberty Trail

Charleston, S.C. – February 1, 2024 – The Liberty Trail today unveiled a series of interpretive markers outlining the historic footprint of an archaeological and historical treasure in Charleston’s popular Marion Square. The 32 bronze plates follow the path of the Revolutionary War Horn Work, each marker sharing a part of the story of this large fortification built in 1758 to defend the state’s oldest port city.

“Today’s celebration honors the craftsmen who constructed this intimidating fortification and the Patriots who defended Charleston from the British,” commented Rick Wise, interim executive director and CEO, South Carolina Battleground Trust. “Just as we are grateful for those stalwart hearts of nearly 250 years ago, we are immensely thankful for the many partners who helped document this incredible historic resource and contributed to its interpretation.”

Constructed of tabby, a mixture of shells, sand and lime, the Horn Work was a massive fortification spanning almost three city blocks. The structure and its surrounding ditch, or moat, occupied a space measuring approximately six to eight acres. The tabby walls, which extended to the east and west of the city gate that entered on King Street, measured between six and seven hundred feet across. The elevation of the front (north) wall was about 24-feet high. A small remnant of the Horn Work has long remained visible in Marion Square, intriguing generations of visitors, but the exact location of the underground foundation traces was only discovered by the project using ground-penetrating radar in 2020.

Speaking at today’s ceremony Governor Henry McMaster reflected on the state’s Revolutionary War history and the significance of this site. “Through the Liberty Trail and other historic preservation initiatives throughout the state, we better tell the history of South Carolina and give those who bravely fought for our freedom the recognition they deserve," said Governor Henry McMaster. "As we approach our nation's 250th anniversary, let us continue to tell our story and take pride in being a South Carolinian.”

Pinpointing and interpreting the Horn Work location took the combined effort of many experts and the cooperation of many entities. Nic Butler with the Charleston County Public Library and author and Charleston County Museum Director Carl Borick provided ample research. The Board of Field Officers of Fourth Brigade, which owns Marion Square, Clemson University, College of Charleston, the City of Charleston, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston Museum, and the South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology were all invaluable with their assistance.

“I believe that it speaks volumes about the rich and complex history of Charleston that as we enter what I intend to be a new era of smart growth for this city, we continue to make historical discoveries that inform our past and thus our future,” said Charleston Mayor William Cogswell. “It is important to honor history, to learn from history so that we can continue to prosper in ways the brave soldiers who died here never could have dreamed. That is their legacy. This is how we honor them. And this is how we serve the citizens of this fine city.”

The Marion Square markers are the most recent addition to The Liberty Trail, an innovative driving route and heritage tourism initiative designed to connect key Revolutionary War battlefields throughout South Carolina. David Duncan, president of the American Battlefield Trust, noted that ultimately this work will yield a gateway experience for The Liberty Trail. “Visitors to Charleston are steeped in the city’s historic fabric,” he said. “When they experience this piece of the Liberty Trail, we invite them to continue their journey through time by venturing out to the South Carolina battlefields on which the question of American

independence was decided.”

The Liberty Trail will expand the interpretive experience in Marion Square later this year through the use of augmented reality (AR). Visitors will be able to see a digital recreation of the Horn Work and events that took place there nearly 250 years ago.

For more information on The Liberty Trail initiative, including historic background and a list of those sites that are part of the Initial Phase of the project, visit www.thelibertytrail.org or download The Liberty Trail Mobile Tour app from the Apple Store or Google Play. As The Liberty Trail takes shape, partners, friends and history enthusiasts are invited to follow its progress on social media using the hashtag #TheLibertyTrail.

###

About The Liberty Trail
The Liberty Trail—developed through a partnership between the American Battlefield Trust and the South Carolina Battleground Trust—connects battlefields across South Carolina and tells the captivating and inspiring stories of this transformative chapter of American history. For more information on The Liberty Trail, visit www.thelibertytrail.org.

Media Contact

Jennifer Howard

jen@stewardterra.com

843.709.4192

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Camden 9B No Longer “Unknown”

June 29, 2026

Archaeologists Dr. Steve Smith and Jim Legg worked to find artifacts to tell the story at the Camden Battlefield for over 20 years. They knew the grave was there. The final one to complete the project. Hits from metal detectors again revealed they were in the right place. The grave site was slowly excavated, and hours ran into days. As the grave opening was expanded, the revelation was solemn. Not one, not two, but a total of five soldiers in a grave only about 14 inches deep and no more than four feet wide. They were known as Camden 9A through 9E. Continental USA buttons and other artifacts proved which side they were on. Forensic Anthropologists, Dr. Madeline Atwell and Dr. Bill Stevens meticulously worked to recover the remains, which were removed to the Richland County Coroner’s office. More forensics study was done, and the potential for DNA evidence was contemplated. The late Doug Bostick, Executive Director/CEO of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, started this amazing journey. His concept to protect and preserve soldiers from graves that were threatened by erosion and other hazards led to the project in the Fall of 2022. The initial plan was to excavate six grave sites. Ultimately, eight grave sites were found and excavated, revealing 14 soldiers. Each was unknown. Artifacts showed the army for which they fought. Possible brigade-sized units were surmised from the location of their graves on the battlefield. They were honored in April 2023 at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, and at the battlefield where about 400 of their comrades in arms still lie in shallow, unmarked graves. The Continentals now lie at rest in the Presbyterian Burial Grounds, managed by the historic Quaker Cemetery in Camden. And beneath the marble headstones marked “Unknown,” they waited. The Historic Camden Foundation, under Cary Briggs and Stacey Ferguson, led the efforts to determine whether the DNA could possibly be used to determine the identity of any of the recovered soldiers. They contracted Allison Peacock of FHD Forensics and her team to work their genetic and genealogy magic. And it worked. An identity was proven, and an anxious family awaited the official word. And when the word did come, the team effort that made this possible coalesced for the next step in the journey: Rick Wise traveled to Maryland to tell the descendants about their ancestor’s steps and sacrifice during the Revolutionary War. In an emotional address to the family, Wise emphasized the gravity of the moment, noting that it was the first time in nearly 246 years that his name, Private John Pumphrey, was spoken out loud for his relatives to hear his name. Tears flowed from relatives as Wise detailed the harrowing experiences of Pumphrey and the Maryland troops, who marched on battlefields and sites that echo with history: Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge, Monmouth Courthouse, and Camden. Wise illustrated their courage in how Pumphrey and his comrades held the line against overwhelming odds at Camden . He characterized their actions as selfless sacrifice, intended to secure the freedoms enjoyed not by themselves, but by generations of Americans, including ours today. The successful DNA identification of Private Pumphrey is a crucial breakthrough, allowing historians and the family to trace his specific journey to the Battle of Camden . Private John Pumphrey is representative of all those who remain in shallow, unmarked graves across the hallowed grounds of the Camden Battlefield. As we approach the 250th Anniversary of America and the Declaration of Independence, let us say a prayer for our first Veterans, who lie in hallowed grounds across our original 13 colonies, who gave their all for a new nation not yet realized, the United States of America.

Memorial Day: 250 Years After the American Revolution

May 25, 2026

Memorial Day calls us to honor those who did not come home to celebratory ceremonies and flags, but gave their lives to a nation that we must work to make worthy of their sacrifice.

Hobkirk Hill Battlefield Park ribbon cutting

Celebrating the opening of the Hobkirk Hill Battlefield Park

By jen • May 21, 2026

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust was honored to join the American Battlefield Trust, South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250), and the City of Camden on May 18 for the official opening of Hobkirk Hill Battlefield Park in Camden,.