Fort Ridgeway was built on the land owned by Patriot Capt. John Ridgeway, and there were two actions here in 1781. On August 1, Loyalists attacked the fortification. Little is known about this incident except that the Loyalists won. On September 5, the fort was attacked again by Loyalists operating under the command of William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham. 10 Patriots were killed in this action, including Capt. Ridgeway. Captain Ridgeway fought at Musgrove Mill, Hammond’s Old Store, Fort Williams, and Cowpens, and he gave his life fighting for his own land. From here, Bloody Bill would take his attacking force on its “Bloody Scout” throughout South Carolina. 

 

The exact location of this battle is unknown other than that it was near Dirty Creek and Rabon Creek, but tradition notes that Capt. John Ridgeway, whose family land the fort was built on, once escaped the Loyalists by jumping into the river. This places the fort on high ground overlooking the water.