Today is June 28, 2023, and it is Carolina Day. This is the anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island that was fought during the Revolutionary War in 1776. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island was the first major patriot victory in the Revolutionary War.
It was an amazing victory for the Patriots against the mighty British navy. Nine British warships mounting nearly 270 guns (cannon) were soundly defeated by Colonel William Moultrie and about 400 Continental soldiers defending an uncompleted fort. Out-manned and out-supplied, the militia stood their ground., knowing they didn’t stand a chance.
Portrait of Colonel William Moultrie
“Moultrie’s square fort had 500′ long double walls, ten feet high and sixteen feet apart, filled with sand, and punctuated by embrasures (openings for the guns); construction of the rear (landward) portion had not been completed. When the British began firing, the Continentals had thirty-one cannon, and less than thirty rounds of powder. Moultrie’s orders were not to waste fire, and “never did men fight more bravely, and never were men more cool.” During the day, boats delivered supplies of gunpowder from Charleston and Mount Pleasant, but there was still too little for comfort. At one point, Moultrie stopped firing entirely, reserving powder for the muskets that would be needed against a land attack. However, Clinton’s army failed to cross Breach Inlet, defeated by the treacherous tides and American infantry.
“An early casualty of the engagement was a young soldier remembered only as Sgt McDaniel.
All we know about the soldier are his actions in the last moments of his life: When a British canon ball tore through his torso and drove him into the sandy earth, McDaniel’s last words were not expressions of anguish, regret, or pain. Instead, he raised his bloody body up onto his knees and with his last breath, he bellowed, “Fight on my brave boys; Do not let liberty expire with me today!”
What a rallying cry that must have been!
The battle of Sullivan’s Island lasted nearly ten hours. The British cannon had no effect on the earth-filled palmetto log walls of the fort; only the shots that came above the wall or through the embrasures took any lives. Thousands of people, both civilians and militia, observed the action from Charleston, standing along the Cooper River or beneath lookouts perched on high roofs. Early in the day, a cannonball broke the mast of the fort’s flag, and it fell from view. Agonized spectators feared the Americans had struck the flag and given up the defense. According to Moultrie, Sergeant William Jasper “jumped from one of the embrasures, and brought it up through a heavy fire, fixed it upon a staff, and planted it upon the ramparts again,” visible to the onlookers several miles away.
William Moultrie’s men continued firing even after sunset, listening as their shots hit the British ships. Finally, Parker called a retreat and moved his ships out of range; Moultrie sent a dispatch boat to inform those in town that the navy had retired.” (The Preservation Society of Charleston)
PBS produced this video several years ago that tell this story of bravery among the colonists.
https://www.pbs.org/video/carolina-day-mtyekc/
The Palmetto Society has organized a Carolina Day event since the group was first established in 1777. Traditionally, the organization marks the patriot victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with a service of thanksgiving at St. Michael’s, followed by a procession to White Point Garden. There are also festivities at Fort Moultrie to enjoy.
What an opportunity to celebrate the patriotism of South Carolina by participating in this commemoration. See you next year in Charleston!
Sheila Ingle 