lee and marion then targeted fort motte, a key british supply depot and communication point not far from the confluence of the congaree and wateree rivers. the british had taken over mount joseph plantation, owned by miles brewton and then occupied by his sister, the widowed rebecca brewton motte and her children, who had left the city of charleston. the british fortified the area around the mansion, building palisades, ramparts, trenches and abatis. they garrisoned a force of roughly 175, made up of british soldiers, hessians, and provincials under capt. lt. donald mcpherson at the fort.