50 British ships, over 300 cannon, 10,000 stands of arms, over 3,000 professional troops under Generals Clinton and Cornwallis attack America at the mouth of Charlestown harbor after a four-week siege. The British objective: capture Charlestown, then the Carolinas and Georgia, recruit and arm Loyalists and Native Americas, make Charlestown "the seat of the war" to conquer America.
One of the largest amphibious assaults of the time commences.
The British siege climaxes with Sir Peter Parker attacking Fort Sullivan on June 28th ("Carolina Day") with Britain's finest warships. He is soundly defeated in an all-day cannon duel led by Colonel William Moultrie and General Charles Lee. Meanwhile Generals Clinton and Cornwallis fail in multiple landing attacks on Sullivan's Island with their prized regiments against entrenched Continental and militia troops at Fort Thompson.
All 13 Colonies have their representatives sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776 - one month after Continental and militia forces win the First Battle for Charlestown. America has proven they can stand up and win against the "finest army and navy in the world". Independence fever breaks out into a national "glorious cause" for self-government by the people.
The Declaration of Independence is sent to King George and newspapers throughout the Western world calling for the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
Visit Fort Thompson on Sullivan's Island at Breach Inlet and envision "Colonel 'Danger" Thompson's men, Catawba Patriots', and Virginia Continental's gallant stand to stop Britain's finest army from capturing Fort Sullivan and Charlestown.
A month long British siege with constant probing attacks. Their last gasps to cross the Inlet and land on Sullivan's Island defeated by the united Continental and Militia Patriots from across the Colonies.
The Battle for Charlestown climaxes with an all-day cannon duel between the Patriots at Fort Sullivan and Sir Peter Parker's warships attempting to gain the harbor. The Patriots win, the South Carolina Royal Governor aboard the flagship is mortally wounded, and this battle becomes annually celebrated as "Carolina Day".
Charlestown Independence Trail
Revolutionary War Victory Museum
Liberty Square Memorial Wall - see editorial post and Courier, July 4, 2023