Lake Keowee Real Estate Area Historic Site
Inscription. Near this site once stood the Cherokee “lower town” of Tamassee. On August 12, 1776 a Revolutionary War battle known as the “Ring Fight” was fought here between the Cherokee and the South Carolina Militia under Captain Andrew Pickens. The Cherokee were defeated and many years later Gen. Pickens built his house here when he retired. The Cherokee became his neighbors and friends.
Regarding Tamassee Town. After the Cherokees attacked several settlements along the frontier and killed many settlers in July 1776, the S.C. militia, under the command Major Andrew Williamson, was sent to destroy the Lower Cherokee towns in northwestern South Carolina.

While leading a small force of about 25 men to burn the Lower Town of Tamassee, Captain Andrew Pickens’ detachment was surrounded in an open field by a large Cherokee force, estimated at over 150 warriors. The militiamen formed a small circle and fired out in relays at the surrounding Indians in what came to be called the “Ring Fight.” Pickens won the fight after being reinforced.

This marker was erected by local organizations using text other than originally coordinated through the South Carolina Historical Marker program. The original text planned for this marker, with more detail and with text on two sides, read:
Marker Front:
Tamassee Town
Tamassee, also spelled ?Tomassee? in early records, was one of several Cherokee ?Lower Towns? in what is now S.C. Overlooking Tamassee Creek, it was inhabited by 1721. Cherokees abandoned it in 1752 during a threat of war with the Creeks but returned by 1770. After the Cherokees became British allies during the Revolution, Patriots destroyed Tamassee and other

By Cindy Bullard, February 15, 2010

3. Tamassee Knob
View from stone marker probably marking the location of Red House.

towns.
Marker Reverse:
The Ring Fight
On August 12, 1776, Maj. Andrew Williamson of the S.C. militia reinforced Capts. Andrew Pickens and Robert Anderson, helping them defeat a large force of Cherokees nearby. During the day Pickens, surrounded by overwhelming numbers, repulsed the Cherokees in a fierce action later famous as ?The Ring Fight.?
Credits. This page originally submitted on February 9, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 724 times since then. Last updated on December 13, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on February 13, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. ? Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.Click here to go to the Historic Marker Database Listing of this marker