Parapet with Gun Ramp and Embrasure	Fort Interior Magazine to the right	Parapet from Stono River	Map of Fortification

(Battery Pringle) Fort Pringle was constructed in 1863 by General P.G.T. Beauregard as part of the James Island Siege Line. As the western terminus of this line, Fort Pringle commanded the Stono River, John’s Island and lower James Island. It was designed to prevent naval forces from ascending to the Stono River as well as land forces from attacking up James Island or along the Stono River on John’s Island. Fort Pringle was named for Capt. Pringle, Lucas Battalion South Carolina Regular Artillery, killed on Morris Island in 1863. In 1863 Fort Pringle became the site of some of the heaviest artillery attacks made by the Union fleet during the battle for James Island. Fort Pringle mounted nine heavy cannons at the war’s end. The large enclosed earthwork is currently covered with a heavy growth of secondary vegetation. The earthwork itself is polygonal with the river face measuring approximately 360 feet, the right or upstream face 160 feet, the left or downstream face 400 feet and the rear face approximately 520 feet in length. The downstream and river front parapet ranges from 7.5 to 12.5 feet in height. The bombproof is approximately 15 feet high and the powder magazine about 12.5 feet tall. Listed in the National Register August 11, 1982.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition, the Historic Resources of Civil War Defenses of Charleston, 1861-1865 includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

Images and texts on these pages are intended for research or educational use. Please read our statement on use and reproduction for further information on how to obtain a photocopy or how to cite an item.