The British built the Stockade Fort in 1781 on property owned by James Holmes, a Loyalist, to protect the garrison’s water supply. The irregular fortification was built around a barn and several outbuildings, was surrounded by a ditch and abatis, and was linked to the town by a communications trench. After arriving from Augusta, Georgia, in June 1781, Lieutenant Henry Lee assumed command of the Patriot attack against the fort. In the final American assault on June 18, 1781, Lee’s men captured the fort but held it only until Greene ordered the attack ended.