A colorful, story-telling overview of the American Revolutionary War. For such a small island, Sullivan's Island has made it's mark on history. British warships Bristol, Experiment, Active, Solebay, Acteon, Syren, Sphynx, Friendship, Ranger, and St. Lawrence also went into action, anchoring at various distances and showering the forts with cannon fire. They chose Charleston after a few scouting expeditions, since it seemed their defenses were incomplete. The British fleet left to help in the campaign against New York City, although one transport grounded off Long Island. Admiral Parker was convinced the Battle of Sullivan’s Island would be an easy victory even without Clinton and his troops after seeing the half-completed fort. In 1775, the British troops were involved in the Siege of Boston, and were looking for cities that would be easily overcome and could be used as operation bases. When Clinton finally arrived in cape Fear in March, he learned about the British defeat at Moore’s Creek Bridge two weeks before. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island was located near Charleston, South Carolina. The British organized an expedition in early 1776 for operations in the rebellious southern colonies of North America. Copyright © 2021 The History Junkie | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Subscribe to American Military History Podcast, Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution, Fort Moultrie – Fort Sumter National Monument, Library of Congress Collection of Revolutionary War Maps, DIY Genealogy – Finding your Revolutionary War Ancestor, The History Junkie’s Guide to the American Revolutionary War, The History Junkie’s Guide to American Revolutionary War Battles, The History Junkie’s Guide to the American Revolutionary War Timeline, The History Junkie’s Guide to the 13 Original Colonies, Eight Reasons The Americans Won The Revolutionary War, Abenaki Tribe Facts, History, and Culture, West Point Battle Maps of the American Revolution. It is also sometimes referred to as the First Siege of Charleston, owing to a more successful British siege in 1780. It has a strong military background having been the site of a major Revolutionary War battle, The Battle of Sullivan's Island, as well as being involved in the first shots of the American Civil War. British frigates had scouted the area in May and observed the construction of the American fort on Sullivan’s Island. Royal Collection Trust. Moultrie is the Patriot responsible for the victory of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. When the war broke, they joined the rest of the colonies in preparing their city for battle and building up the city’s defenses. At the close of the Battle of Rhode Island, both sides occupied fortified positions on the hills overlooking the valley. The engagement at Sullivan’s Island was one of unquestioned importance. Drayton, John Memoirs of the American Revolution: From its Commencement to the Year 1776, inclusive, as relating to the state of South-Carolina , Vol 2 , A.S. Miller, 1821. The British plan was to seize the ports of Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Admiral Parker’s fleet had been caught in storms and did not arrive in Cape Fear until April and General Cornwallis and the Irishmen did not arrive until May. The British did not return to South Carolina until 1780. The five Sullivan Brothers were lost when the ship to which all five were assigned, USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk on 13 November 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal.Many memorial efforts have honored the five brothers. Casualties - American casualties were estimated to be 17 killed, 20 wounded, and 10 missing/captured. Battle of Sullivan’s Island Battle of Sullivan’s Island Definition: The Battle of Sullivan’s Island was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).The year and date that the Battle of Sullivan’s Island took place on June 28, 1776. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan had been besieging the British forces in Newport, Rhode Island, which is situated on Aquidneck Island, but they had finally abandoned their siege and were withdrawing to the northern part of the island. One of the ships was too far away and putting more powder in the guns had simply made them break out of their mounts. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776, could have and probably should have been a decisive British victory. Sullivan’s Island was a large island at the entrance to Charleston harbor. The island controlled the entrance to Charleston harbor and was strategically vital. The Acteon, Sphynx, and Syren set sail in an attempt to gain entrance to the harbor along the opposite shore of Fort Sullivan to enfilade the bastion, but luckily for the defenders all three ran aground on Middle Ground shoal (where Fort Sumter would later be constructed). 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