Carolina Day 2005

Date: June 24, 2005
Contact: Rick Hatcher, [phone] x 22

Tuesday, June 28 will mark the 229th anniversary of the 1776 battle of Sullivan’sIsland. Also known as the battle ofFort Sullivan, it was the first major Patriot victory of the American Revolution. After a nine and one-half hour battle, ten British warships were defeated by South Carolina Patriots manning a half completed unnamed fort built of palmetto logs and sand on Sullivan’s Island. After the battle, the fort was namedFort Moultriein honor of its commanding officer, Colonel William Moultrie.

To commemorate this significant event inU.S.history, a program will be held at Fort Moultrie beginning at 6:30 p.m.The activities planned will include the introduction of a new children’s book onFort Moultrie, followed by a book-signing, and Revolutionary War military demonstrations by members of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry.

The Palmetto Fort: A Young Volunteer in the Revolution, 1776, a new children’s book by G. Walton Williams, will be introduced to the public during Carolina Day festivities at theFort Moultrie Visitor Center. At 6:30 pm in the Visitor Center, Mr. Williams will do a short reading from his latest work, followed by a book-signing in the park’s bookstore.

The Palmetto Fort is the latest collaborative effort of Mr. Williams and John Kollock, the well-known Georgia artist. It is their fifth joint work and their third on the local history ofCharleston. It is a “prequel” to the popular Of Mice and Bells, the story of the bells of St. Michael’s Church as told by the church mice. The new work of fiction recounts young Joshua Lockwood’s exploits at the June 28, 1776 battle at the palmetto fort on Sullivan’s Island, later called Fort Moultrie. Mr. Williams, like Joshua in his books, rings the bells at St. Michaels and at Stella Maris. He will also be doing a reading at the Library Society on July 7th and a book-signing at the Preservation Society on June 30th.

At 7:30 p.m. a South Carolina Department of Archives and History historical marker about the June 28, 1776 battle will be dedicated. The marker was made possible by the Fort Sullivan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This year’s speaker will be Dr. Tracy Power, director of the historical marker program.


Tuesday, June 28, 2005

6:30-7:00 p.m.– Mr. G. Walton Williams gives a short reading from his new children’s book, The Palmetto Fort: A Young Volunteer in the Revolution, 1776, followed by a book-signing in the park’s bookstore.

7:00-7:30 p.m.– Members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment provide living history programs including musket firing.

7:30-8:00 p.m.– Formal program featuring the dedication of a historical marker and a brief address by Dr. Tracy Power, director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History historical marker program.

8:30 p.m.–Fort Moultrie closes to the public.

Fort Moultrie is a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument, administered by the National Park Service. The site is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island. This program is free and entrance fees to the park are waived for the day. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and items suitable for an outdoor summer evening such as sunscreen and insect repellent. In case of rain the program will be held indoors.

For additional information on this program and Fort Moultrie’s history call Fort Sumter National Monument at [phone]. For information on other area Carolina Day activities call the South Carolina Historical Society at [phone] or visit http://www.schistory.org.