Battle of Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island, at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, USA
What happened
South Carolina defenders under William Moultrie and Charles Lee fought a British fleet under Sir Peter Parker and troops under Henry Clinton. Early in the American Revolutionary War, a British fleet attacked a fort of palmetto logs and sand guarding Charleston. The soft palmetto wood absorbed the cannonballs instead of splintering, and the defenders fired back carefully. British troops could not cross to the island because the water was too deep, and the fleet withdrew at nightfall.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It saved Charleston from capture for four years. The palmetto tree on South Carolina's flag honours the fort.
What came next
The fort was renamed Fort Moultrie after its commander. The British fleet sailed north to join the attack on New York.
Did you know?
When the fort's flag was shot down, Sergeant William Jasper is said to have climbed up and raised it again under fire.
Timeline
- 28 June 1776The defenders beat off the British at Sullivan's Island.
- 1777Charleston holds the first 'Carolina Day' celebration.
- 1780The British capture Charleston.
- 1960Fort Moultrie passes to the National Park Service.