On June 28, 1776, a British invasion fleet sailed toward Charleston Harbor. It was one week prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As the fleet approached Sullivan’s Island, they had a quick awakening as to what lay ahead.
Celebrating the Colonist’s first major victory of the American Revolution that ensued, the Anderson County 250 Committee is joining the State with its recognition of the event on June 28, the date being now designated as Carolina Day.
Fort Moultrie, named for its commander William Moultrie, had been hastily constructed with palmetto logs and sand. It was on the southern tip of Sullivan’s Island. The island’s northern edge was exposed at ebb tied by what the British were informed was a shallow area between it and Long Island (the present area of Mount Pleasant). They rudely discovered after their troops landed on Long Island that the shallow passage was still seven feet underwater. Troop passage was virtually impossible, especially under a barrage of gunfire.
The northern end was protected by some “eight hundred defenders, including thirty Catawba Indians. Its American commander, Col. William Thomson, also had two cannons. It was a turkey shoot for any attempting to cross the passage.
As crude as Fort Moultrie appeared at the other end of Sullivan’s Island, the palmetto logs and sand provided surprising protection for the defenders at the southern tip of Sullivan’s Island. Cannon balls just sank in or bounced off the sand and logs. The area had been described as a “slaughter pen,” but good fortune was on the side of the Americans. Three of the ships that moved in for shelling ran aground.
The British only had fifteen flat bottom boats that could be used to land troops on Sullivan’s Island at one time, but the troops were fortunate. It was recognized sending them in would be a slaughter.
By evening, the British ships wisely withdrew. They had fired over seven thousand rounds and used twelve tons of powder. That compared to nine hundred and sixty rounds by the Americans and four thousand pounds of powder. Damage to some of the British ships and their men had been severe. The Americans had only twenty-six wounded and twelve killed. It was a remarkable victory, sorely needed by the rebelling Americans.
The men on Sullivans Island had risen against the mighty British navy in the cause of liberty. It was a rallying cry heard throughout the Colonies. It really could be done.
After the British retreated, celebrating church bells were rung throughout the area. That is an honored tradition that will be picked up for Carolina Day, two hundred and fifty years later.
Larry Mitchell, the project committee member of the Carolina Day program of the Anderson County 250 Committee, announced churches, government agencies, and anyone with a bell, for that matter, are asked to participate on Carolina Day, June 28, 2026. Beginning at 2:50 pm, bells will be rung in unison twenty-five times throughout the county in recollection of the historic occasion. The twenty-five “solemn taps” will be in recognition of the number of decades since the historic battle.
Mitchell said it has been a “daunting task trying to reach out to everyone,” but it will be an exciting and historic occasion to bring all our citizens together to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who stood up to an empire at a time of extreme need. Even if church or government bells have long been retired, twenty-five soft ceremonial taps will deliver recognition of the cause undertaken, demonstrating appreciation by all of us who have followed.
Wherever you may be, whatever you may be doing, on Sunday, June 28 at 2:50 pm, as you hear bells throughout Anderson County, stop, think and be grateful for the freedom and independence that has frequently been challenged but is still available for you to defend. Let out a cheer for the spirit of 1776.