William Moultrie (November 23, 1730 â September 27, 1805) was an American planter and politician who became a general in the American Revolutionary War. As colonel leading a state militia, in 1776 he prevented the British from taking Charleston, and Fort Moultrie was named in his honor.
The Moultrie Flag was named after Colonel William Moultrie who repelled a British invasion on Sullivan Island in South Carolina on June 28, 1776. The fort on Sullivan Island was then renamed after its valiant commander. Today, South Carolina has a state flag very similar to this one.
South Carolinians defending Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor in 1776 raised one of the earliest flags of American liberty. The blue corresponded to their uniform, the silver crescent appeared as a badge worn on their caps. The cause for which they foughtâlibertyâwas emblazoned on the crescent.
âAs there was no national flag at the time, I was desired by the Council of Safety (on September 13, 1775, on taking possession of Fort Johnson, on James Island, in the harbor) to have one made; upon which, as the State troops were clothed in blue and the fort was garrisoned by the men of the first and second regiments who wore a silver crescent on the front of their caps, I had a large blue flag made with a crescent in the dexter corner to be uniform with the troops. This was the first American flag displayed in the South.â
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
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