Carolina Day/The Battle of Sullivan's Island

June 28th, also known as Carolina Day, is not only important to the state of South Carolina, but also to the United States.  It commemorates the first American victory of the Revolutionary War  -  when some young upstart colonists defended Charleston Harbor from the mighty British Navy. 

This happened on June 28, 1776 -  just a week before the Declaration of Independence was signed.  Considering the timing, many believe the bold early win gave the patriots in Philadelphia the momentum and encouragement to go through with it.  Charleston and Philadelphia were both major trading cities at the time, and boats, supplies, people and information traveled regularly between the two colonial powerhouses.

The battle centered around what was then known as Fort Sullivan on Sullivan’s Island. 

British forces  - nine Royal Navy warships and the British  Army under Cornwallis -  were swarming off the coast, trying to take Fort Sullivan and Charleston, thus getting a foothold in the Colonies.   But a small group of patriots from the Carolinas and Virginia turned them back, despite the fact that they were outnumbered ten to one.

The 2nd South Carolina Regiment under command of Colonel William Moultrie dug in their heels at the fort and turned back the vicious assault, which came from the ocean, mainland and the Isle of Palms.

It was the first time that American colonists decisively defeated the British in their fight for independence, and it gave the cause a gigantic boost.  The victory kept Britain from gaining a stronghold in South Carolina for another four years.

No wonder Carolina Day became a holiday.  Colonel Moultrie became the namesake for the fort on Sullivan’s Island, which is now known as Fort Moultrie, and later went on to become a two-time governor of South Carolina.  Fort Moultrie is part of the National Park Service, recently designated as “Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.” 

2023 marks the 248th anniversary of The Battle of Sullivan’s Island. 

Carolina Day Activities on Sullivan's Island

The weekend before the 28th is usually the official Battle of Sullivan’s Island Living History Day celebration.  In years past, it's been at Fort Moultrie, which is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island, with reenactments and soldiers in period uniforms doing musket and cannon drills. 

It 2023, they switch it up a bit, kicking it off Saturday, June 24th at 9:00 a.m. at Town Hall Plaza, at 2056 Middle Street.  Events included the Moultrie Flag Ceremony, Proclamation by the Mayor,  Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment with a special Carolina Day musket salute, and the story of a most unusualt patriot, Robert Smith.  Refreshments were served, and all were welcome to this free event.

Exact details and schedule for 2024 haven't been announced yet, so stay tuned.

Church Service, Parade & Wreath-laying on Carolina Day

Each year on Carolina Day itself, as part of the commemoration, there is a special church service at St. Michael’s in downtown Charleston.  The service starts at 10:00 a.m. and includes the Morning Prayer service, according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.  St. Michael’s is located at 71 Broad Street, at Charleston’s famous Four Corners of Law.

After the service, there is a procession from Washington Park, across Broad Street from St. Michael’s, down to White Point Gardens at the Battery.  There, a wreath is laid at Jasper Monument.   Sergeant William Jasper was a hero in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.  When the fort’s flag was shot down, he hoisted another and held it in place amidst raging gun and cannon fire.  

The Palmetto Society is the driving force behind the Carolina Day commemorations.  In fact, “The Palmetto Society was founded in 1777 with the purpose of marking the anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island and additionally, to support the widows and orphans of American soldiers in the Revolutionary War.”  Their website is a font of information on Carolina Day and its celebration in the Lowcountry.

For even more information on the history behind the holiday, here is a great recounting of the day by the South Carolina Historical Society.