CRBT: Fort Motte #3 Traditional Cache
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Size: 
(micro)
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Micro in a tree. This sandbar is the largest on this section of the Congaree River. It is over 1600 feet in length. It is also the last sandbar before reaching the end of the Congaree River Blue Trail.
Fort Motte (Fort Motte Station) was a plantation commandeered by the British as a temporary military outpost in what is now South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. Later, it was considered as a possible location for the capitol for the newly formed state of South Carolina (before Columbia was chosen).
British forces occupied and converted into a stockade the recently built Mt. Joseph plantation home of Miles Brewton. The site is near a strategic river crossing of the Congaree River that would allow the British an important chain of transport from Charleston to points north and west.
By May 1781 Fort Motte was a small but imposing wood and earth fortification of palisades (9' tall), ramparts (10-11' wide), with a 6' deep ditch in front; and 20-30' from the ditch a row of abatis. Defending the fort were 184 British regulars under the command of Capt. Lt. Donald McPherson. Later that month, General Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion captured the location after the Siege of Fort Motte.
Mt. Joseph became known as Fort Motte after General Marion's siege due to Rebecca Brewton Motte, sister of Miles Brewton. Rebecca was living at Mt. Joseph with her children at the time of the British occupation. During General Marion's siege, Rebecca famously helped in shooting flaming arrows into her family home in order to drive the British from it.
Dedicated on June 2nd, 2007, the 50 mile Congaree River Blue Trail (CRBT) starts near Columbia and runs to Hwy 601 near St. Matthews. Paddlers will pass through the Fall Line and enter the Coastal Plain known for its countless sandbars, high bluffs, and extensive floodplains. The highlight of the trail is the section along the Congaree National park, a protected wilderness that is home to the largest tract of old growth bottom-land hardwood forests in the U.S.
The Congaree River is vibrant corridor for wildlife and provides excellent opportunities to view common and not so common wildlife anywhere along the river. This includes deer, raccoons, snakes, wild pigs, turtles, turkeys and more. It is home to endangered species including the shortnose sturgeon, a fish that migrates from coastal waters to spawn in the Congaree near Columbia. Bald Eagles often visit the river as well.
When planning to do this section of the Congaree you must be prepared to spend 2-4 days on the river. After passing under I-77 the next LEGAL take out is Bates Landing at N 33 45.200 W 080 38.694.
You can download a copy of the trail map at American Rivers or stop by any of the local outfitters and pick up a semi-waterproof copy for free.
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