Imagine a massive fortress looming over what is now Marion Square. That vision begins to explain the significance of this tabby slab before us. It marks the remnant of the Horn Work. This is a key piece of Charleston’s history.
The Horn Work on Marion Square plaque marks a fragment of a once-mighty fortification. Construction began in 1757 on this large earth and tabby horn work. A horn work is a fortified wall. It features two half-bastions, the “horns”. These bastions got their name from their horn-like shape.
This structure served as the town gate near today’s King Street. It even included a gate and drawbridge. Fortifications were essential. They protected Charleston against the Spanish.
However, the conflict with Spain ended. The subsequent war with England also ceased. The city decided it no longer needed the fortifications. Thus, the horn work was destroyed in 1784.
This lone tabby slab measures about six feet high and nearly ten feet long. It is a small remnant of that massive structure. The foundation of the eastern half of the Horn Work lies just below the grass. The other half is now under buildings on the west side of King Street.
The plaque reads “Remnant of Horn Work. May 1780. Siege of Charleston.” These few words hint at the site’s importance. The Horn Work was a major part of Charleston’s defense during the British siege of 1780.
A horn work is a broad fortress with a central gateway. It defends the approach to a settlement. The half-bastions allowed defenders to fire at approaching enemies from multiple angles. Charleston’s Horn Work may have been unique. It might have been the only horn work ever built of tabby.
Tabby is a type of concrete. It was commonly used in the Lowcountry of early South Carolina. It’s made from local materials. These included sand, ash, broken oyster shells, and lime.
In 1757, the South Carolina Commissioners of Fortifications ordered a trial of tabby work. They used it for repairs to Fort Johnson on James Island. The experiment proved tabby was more permanent than earthen fortifications. It was also cheaper than brickwork.
During the Revolutionary War, the Horn Work became the centerpiece of the city’s defensive line. It served as headquarters for American commanding officers. In May 1780, American Generals Benjamin Lincoln and William Moultrie surrendered to the British. This surrender happened under the Horn Work’s arched gateway. It was the largest American surrender of the war.
Today, only this small remnant remains above ground. But in February of this year, an archeological study documented the Horn Work’s footprint. Researchers used ground-penetrating radar. This ensures the protection of this historic resource.
The goal is to create an outdoor exhibit in Marion Square. It will use physical signage and in-ground markers. Augmented Reality will bring the Horn Work and the Siege of Charleston to life.
Just as the Horn Work was the gateway into Charleston, this exhibit will be a gateway into the Liberty Trail. The Horn Work on Marion Square plaque reminds us of Charleston’s resilience. It connects us to the struggles and sacrifices of the past.