the siege of fort motte was a military operation during the american revolutionary war. a force of patriots led by general francis "swamp fox" marion and lt. colonel "light horse" harry lee set out to capture the british post at fort motte, the informal name of a plantation mansion fortified by the british for use as a depot because of its strategic location at the confluence of the congaree and wateree rivers. the british garrisoned roughly 175 british soldiers under lt. daniel mcpherson at the fort.