South Carolina is enmeshed with war history from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, so it's no surprise that the state gets names and symbols from those wars.
Charleston needed protection during the Revolutionary War, and preparation for this started with Fort Sullivan on Sullivan's Island in early 1776. On June 28, 1776, 9 warships from the Royal Navy attacked Fort Sullivan, which was incomplete at that time.
Commander of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, William Moultrie, led 400 men to battle that day, and they triumphed against Sir Peter Parker and the nine warships from the Royal Navy. The fort was then named Fort Moultrie in his honor.
It was said that cannonballs bounced off of the fort. This was due to the palmetto logs that were used in the construction. They were able to absorb hits from cannonballs because of their spongey nature rather than crack under pressure. This inspired not only the nickname 'The Palmetto State' but also the state flag.
During this battle, a special flag was flown: The Moultrie Flag or Liberty Flag. The flag was shot down, and Sergeant William Jasper ran out into the open, hoisting it and rallying the troops until another stand could be built. The flag is blue with a white gorget in the top left corner with the word Liberty in it. A gorget is a crescent-shaped plate that is worn by a soldier to protect his neck during battle.
The British eventually took control of the fort in 1780, but we all know how the story ends. In 1782, the British troops departed when the patriots won the war.
Written By: Jennifer
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