In February of 1780, a British force of over 12,000 landed near the Edisto and marched over Wadmalaw, Johns and James Island to attack Charlestown. By April, they had moved up the western bank of the Ashley River, crossed at Magnolia plantation, and marched down Charlestown Neck to cut off the land approaches to the besieged Americans in the city. Before this invasion, in order to defend the harbor and also to ensure lines of communication and supply to the north, the Americans had built fortifications East of the Copper. The largest of these was Lempiere's Point Battery. Lempriere's Point was located at the mouth of the Wando River just below Hobcaw Point. The property was part of a plantation owned by Captain Clement Lempriere and was the location of Lempriere's Ferry, offering daily runs to and from Charlestown.