Clemson University Associate Professor of History Joshua Catalano leads talk and tour at historic Fort Rutledge site on 250th anniversary of the Battle of Esseneca
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor, The Pickens County Chronicle
The morning of Saturday, August 1, 2026, on the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War-era Battle of Esseneca, a crowd gathered at the historic site of Fort Rutledge (now on the campus of Clemson University), as Clemson University Associate Professor of History Joshua Catalano spoke and gave a tour (including of the concrete block monument erected for the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1908).
Also speaking were Historic Preservation Officer Rick Owens and Research Assistant Professor Dr. Spencer Roberts.
Catalano has been conducting archaeological digs at the site for several years, and his team has erected part of a fort wall that resembles the look of the original fort. Construction was made possible through a grant from South Carolina 250.
Below, The Pickens County Chronicle is making available audio of the entire talk and tour held Saturday, August 1.
Also, view more than 50 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle.
Click on the play button on the audio player below to listen to the event.
Audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle
Clemson University Associate Professor of History Joshua Catalano is pictured leading a talk and tour at the historic site of Fort Rutledge on August 1, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Esseneca. Also pictured are speakers Rick Owens and Dr. Spencer Roberts. To listen, click on the play button on the audio player above. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Catalano leads a talk and tour at the concrete block monument erected in 1908 for the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Revolutionary War reenactors at the August 1 event included David and Rene Gillespie, Stephen Huffman and his daughter, Martha, and David Cooper. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Bud Starnes, President of the General Andrew Pickens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is pictured at the event on August 1, 2026. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
This marker, on the road leading to the Fort Rutledge monument, was erected by the City of Clemson and Clemson University in 2007. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
