The first Southern land battle of the Revolutionary War was fought in the back country of South Carolina when a three-day battle broke out on November 19, 1775. Nearly 200 years later, as archaeologists and historians excavated the area within the outlines of the Williamson Fort at Ninety Six, they made a grim discovery: a lone skeleton found in one corner of where the structure would have stood two centuries earlier.

(Editor note: we have significantly blurred an original photo below which depicts the actual remains found during the excavation. If you’d like to see the original photo posted on the National Park Service website, you may do so here.)

Each year, Ninety Six National Historic Site marks the historic spot of the first battles that spilled into the South during the American Revolution with a serious re-enactment of that first battle. Visitors can look on as the fight plays out in real time at the historic site.
Wikipedia/Thinkingsoutherner at English Wikipedia
The site itself is a large place comprised of more than 1,000 acres and many structures. Many visitors make it a point to walk the path that leads to the famous Star Fort, now merely a star-shaped impression in the landscape.
Google Maps/Lynette Parker
But what many people pass right on by is the lone grave of what is assumed (but yet to be proven) to be none other than James Birmingham, the first Patriot soldier killed in the South during the Revolutionary War.
findagrave/Monica Woodward

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Birmingham fought in the Long Cane Malitia and is believed to be from the Long Cane Creek area in Abbeville County. He was the first man to die during the first Southern battle of the Revolution.
findagrave/Bev
In 1973, during an excavation of the area believed to be the location of the Williamson Fort, the lone skeleton of James Birmingham was discovered. Historians are still attempting to positively identify Birmingham; however, records show he was the only Patriot to die during the first battle at Ninety Six.
National Park Service [image blurred for sensitive reasons, original image can be seen by clicking this link]
If you want to pay tribute to the first man to die in the South while fighting for freedom from British rule, you'll find his lone grave memorial behind bars at Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six, South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Faith N
The park and facilities are open during varying hours, depending upon season. Admission is free.
TripAdvisor/apdemas

Ninety Six National Historic Site is located at 1103 SC-248, Ninety Six, SC 29666. Learn more, including the hours of operation for the visitors center, the park, and the Star Fort Pond, at this link on the official website of the National Park Service. To learn about the many upcoming events at this historic site, follow their Facebook page.

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