Redoubt Number 3, built here in 1861-62, was one of six identical Confederate earthworks built across the center of James Island and known collectively as the East Lines. Intended to help defend Charleston from Federal attacks up the Stono River, the earthworks were 60 yards square and built for two guns each. In November 1863 this redoubt was armed with a single 24-pounder smoothbore cannon. The East Lines stretched south from a tributary of James Island Creek on Croskey Royall’s plantation to Clark Sound on the Rev. Stiles Mellichamp’s plantation. By late 1863, stronger earthworks called the New Lines were built nearer the Stono River, making the East Lines obsolete. This redoubt and the rest of Charleston’s defenses were evacuated February 17, 1865.
