Carolina Day 2006

General William Moultrie

News Release Date: June 12, 2006

Contact: Rick Hatcher, 843-883-3123 x 22

Contact: Bill Martin, 843-883-3123 x 41

At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the National Park Service will commemorate the 230^th anniversary of the battle of Sullivan’s Island at Fort Moultrie. The program will consist of the unveiling of an iron fence around General Moultrie’s grave, remarks on the general by Dr. Marty Matthews, and living history programs by the 2^nd South Carolina Regiment. The grave is located near the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center picnic area and boat dock.

Colonel of the 2^nd South Carolina regiment, Moultrie commanded the unnamed and incomplete fort on Sullivan’s Island when the British Navy attacked on June 28, 1776. After the Patriot victory, the installation was completed and named FortMoultrie in his honor. Moultrie, who died in 1805, rose to the rank of major general and after the war served two terms as South Carolina’s governor. In 1978 his remains were re-interred at FortMoultrie.

This program is part of the Carolina Day activities being held in Charleston to honor this significant event in the history of South Carolina and the nation. As part of the observance, the normal entrance fee to Fort Moultrie will be waived for the day.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

7:00 p.m. – Members of the 2^nd South Carolina Regiment present living history programs, including musket firings.

7:30 p.m. – Formal program with remarks on General William Moultrie by Dr. Marty Matthews and unveiling of the iron fence around the general’s grave.

8:00 p.m. – Members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment present living history programs, including musket firings.

8:30 p.m. – Fort Moultrie and the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center close to the public.

Fort Moultrie mirrors the 171-year history of seacoast defense in the United States. The first fortification was constructed of palmetto logs in 1776. The existing Fort Moultrie was built in 1809 and was in use until 1947. Administered as part of Fort Sumter National Monument, Fort Moultrie is a unit of the National Park Service. The fort is open daily from 9:00-5:00 except for New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. The normal $3.00 entrance fee is waived for Carolina Day.