Battle of Sullivan's Island

Battle of Sullivan's Island

Battle of Sullivan's Island
Read about the Crescent Flag (Liberty Flag)

This article on  the Battle of Sullivan's Island provides facts and information about this conflict between the British and American forces during the Revolutionary War:

  • What was the date of the Battle of Sullivan's Island?
  • Who were the leaders of the Battle of Sullivan's Island?
  • Where was the Battle of Sullivan's Island fought, the location of the battlefield?
  • Interesting facts and fast information about Battle of Sullivan's Island
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids about this battle of the American Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War Timeline
American Colonies IndexRevolutionary Battles

History of the Battles, Conflicts and Soldiers of the American Revolution War

The Battle of Sullivan's Island: The American Revolutionary War, the soldiers and the famous battles of the conflict

Battle of Sullivan's Island
Battle of Sullivan's Island Definition: The Battle of Sullivan's Island was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The year and date that the Battle of Sullivan's Island took place on June 28, 1776. The battlefield in which the British and American Forces fought during the Battle of Sullivan's Island was located near Charleston, South Carolina. Sullivan's Island was a large island commanding the entrance to Charleston harbor. British frigates had scouted the area in May and observed the construction of the American fort on Sullivan’s Island. The Battle of Sullivan's Island ended in victory for the American colonists.

Liberty Flag flown at Moultrie Fort, Sullivan's Island 

Liberty Flag flown at Moultrie Fort, Sullivan's Island

Overview and Summary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island
The Battle of Sullivan's Island took place on June 28, 1776 near Charleston, South Carolina when the British army and fleet attacked Charleston.  The entrance to Charleston Harbor was protected by sandbanks. A sandbank Is similar to a reef and a navigation, or grounding, hazard.  the channels through these sandbanks lead directly to the end of Sullivan's Island. where the Americans had built a fort of 16 feet wide palmetto logs filled with sand. General William Moultrie commanded the fort and it was named in his honor, Fort Moultrie. The British fleet sailed into the harbor to attack the fort. The fleet consisted of 9 man-of-war ships carrying 300 heavy cannon. The cannons were fired but the balls from the ships' guns were stopped by the soft sand-filled palmetto logs. During the conflict a flag commissioned by the colonial government and designed by William Moultrie was shot away and fell down outside the fort. A patriot called Sergeant Jasper rushed out, seized the broken flagstaff, and again set it up on the rampart. General Henry Clinton and his troops landed on an island and was trying to cross to the further end of Sullivan's Island and were under fire from Americans on the beach. Unexpectedly the water deepened, and the British had to jump aboard their ships to save themselves from drowning. General Henry Clinton ordered a retreat and the fleet also sailed away from Charleston

Battle of Sullivan's Island - The Liberty Flag aka the Moultrie Flag
The above pictures of the battle show the flag that was designed by Colonel William Moultrie. The flag was commissioned by the colonial government and the design was a blue flag with a white crescent saying LIBERTY on it. The flag became known as the Moultrie flag or the Liberty Flag. Later on during the Revolutionary War in the 1780 siege Charleston was taken by the British and the flag was taken. The 'Liberty Flag' was later reclaimed by American forces at the end of the war, the flag was returned to the city of Charleston by General Nathanael Greene.

The Importance and Significance of the Battle of Sullivan's Island
Significance of the Battle of Sullivan's Island: The significance of the conflict was that the small force of militia were able to force the retreat of 9 British ships - and the news was spread as propaganda for the Patriot cause.

Facts about the Battle of Sullivan's Island
Facts about who fought in the Battle of Sullivan's Island and who were the leaders of the conflict. Facts about where the Battle of Sullivan's Island was fought, the location of the battlefield. Facts and stats about the number of troops involved in the conflict and the numbers of those who were killed, wounded, missing in action or captured. Interesting history and facts about the Battle of Sullivan's Island:

Fast Facts about the Battle of Sullivan's Island
Name of Conflict: Battle of Sullivan's Island
 
 
Result of the Battle of Sullivan's Island: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ended in victory for the Americans
 
 
Location of Battlefield: The battlefield was located on Sullivan's Island near Charleston, South Carolina
 
 
Date of the Battle of Sullivan's Island: June 28, 1776
 
 
Combatants: The British Army and German Hessians fought against the South Carolina militia
 
 

<><><><><><><><><><>

Battle of Battle of Sullivan's IslandAmerican Colonies British Forces 
Names of Leaders & Commanders:
 
 William Moultrie Peter Parker
Henry Clinton
 
 
Strength of Forces:
 
 435 2200 
Number of men killed in the Battle of Sullivan's Island:
 
 12 30 
Number of men wounded:
 
 25 190 
Number of men captured:
 
 0 0 

The following picture represents some of the early designs of the American flag. The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield and used as a rallying point for troops.


 

 

American Revolutionary war - The Battle of Sullivan's Island
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), which included the Battle of Sullivan's Island, was the culmination of the political American Revolution, in which many of the American colonists rejected the legitimacy of the British Parliament to govern the 13 colonies without representation.

Battles in the Revolutionary War

Battles in the Revolutionary War - Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Quebec, Battle of Cowpens & Moonlight Battle

The Battle of Sullivan's Island

  • The year and date of the Battle of Sullivan's Island

  • Facts, stats and history of the Battle of Sullivan's Island

  • Fast Facts and info about the Battle of Sullivan's Island and the Revolutionary War

  • A great history resource for kids

  • Social Studies Homework help for kids on the Battle of Sullivan's Island

Battle of Sullivan's Island - American Revolutionary War - Battlefield - Result - Significance - Importance - British - Great Britain - Colonial - Thirteen colonies - Definition - Teaching resource - Teachers - Kids - Battlefield - Summary - History and Facts about the Battle of Sullivan's Island - Battle - Conflict - History - Facts - Information - Info - Famous - Summary - History - Leaders - Events - Dates - Year - Conflict - Summary - Battlefield - Definition - Battle - Battlefield - Short - Kids - Children - Studies - US - Battlefield - 13 Colonies - America - Battle of Sullivan's Island