Dear Reader:
Being the old South Carolina history teacher… I can’t let June 28 pass without without paying tribute to the Battle of Sullivan’s Island which today is known as Carolina Day. ( Once known as Palmetto Day)
It has been 247 years since this amazing ” David vs Goliath” battle took place and changed American History… directly affecting the final outcome of the signing of the Declaration of Independence days later… after the Founding Fathers heard the news of the outcome of the first true battle between the Patriot forces and the Royal Navy.
Today , the official anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island will be celebrated at Fort Moultrie and at the Battery in downtown Charleston.
If anyone was a betting person… doubtful few would have sided with the Patriots pulling off this monumental task to stop the British Royal Navy -a combined sea and land invasion planned to take Charleston.
The Patriots were completely outmanned and outgunned. The British had 2000 soldiers under Clinton and the British Commodore Peter Parker whereas General Moultrie and William ” Danger” Thomson had 780 ” soldiers ” ( consisting of rangers, soldiers, Native-Americans and North Carolina troops.)
The Redcoats fired 7000 cannon balls into unfinished palmetto fort and 34,000 pounds of gunpowder. The Patriots had 31 cannons and 28 rounds of ammo.
So how in the world did the Patriots pull off this amazing victory? Nature and Geography! ( And good common sense!)
When British Commodore Peter Parker first laid eyes on the pitiful looking fort made from palmetto logs -stacked up like Lincoln logs -two layers deep and sand between each row. .. he burst out laughing… this should be the fastest victory in history.
But Geography was our friend, along with natural resources ( in the form of the Palmetto logs-) Fort Sullivan survived the cannon strikes because the balls bounced off the spongy palmetto logs… the Patriots were able to re-use them firing back at the British with their own cannon balls!
The British soldiers couldn’t wade across Breach Inlet because it was 8 feet deep and the average British soldier was only 5’4 to 5’6 in height. When the British tried to go around the island to attack from the backside … the tides were against them -the boats ran aground in shallow water.
So nine hours later a humiliated Commodore ( Peter Parker) obviously a poor loser… in frustration climbed to the bow of his ship … bent over and threw up his tailcoat wagging his hind quarters at the cheering Patriots.
One unknown Patriot aimed a British cannon ball at the Commodore for his rudeness and disrespect (and as the famous ” tale” goes… ) it went right between his legs ripping his pants and exposing his complete bare hind quarters since he obviously was not wearing underwear.
I remember the last time I took some students to the Charleston Pirates Tour… the tour guide told this ” tale” and reminded the students to learn a lesson from this episode…
1. Don’t be a poor loser
2. Don’t act out and show your ” butt” in public
3. And always be prepared…Put on your underwear everyday!
( Three Good Lessons!
So until tomorrow… Humor in History is the key to unlocking the past and learning from human nature … and all its crazy antics!
Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh
