Fort Moultrie was built on Sullivan’s Island in Charleston, SC in 1776 right in the middle of the American Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary war the fort was still not complete, but helped defend the city when it was attacked by British fleet on June 28th 1776. The fort was named after its commander William Moultrie. During its two centuries of being on the South Carolina coast the fort has defended Charleston twice. During the civil war the fort crumbled, but was able to help hold back Union attacks. The fort was maintained up until 1947 to use for military purposes and used by the US Army. The fort is broken up into five different sections and has two outlying areas, which mount typical weapons such as cannons and other weapons.…show more content… During the Charleston Siege of April-May 1780 the British sieged Charleston and the fort. Prior to 1780 the British efforts against the southern rebellious colonies were limited. General Clinton led a forced from New York to attack Charleston in December 1779. More than 10,000 British soldiers and sailors served in the attack of Charleston. The British landed on Seabrook Island on February 11, 1780. On April 8th British warships forced their way past Fort Moultrie, and took control of Charleston Harbor. Once the British forced their way on to Charleston they had control of the city and gave them the chance to…show more content… The fort was built with the mind set of using it strictly for military purposes. The fort was built of the most abundant material that was available on the shores of Sullivan’s Island which was mostly palmetto trees. “The fibrous material that comprises the palmetto’s long, trunk-like stem allows the trees to survive the conditions on a maritime strand, bending without breaking or being uprooted. This same trait allowed Fort Sullivan to absorb Commodore Peter Parker’s cannons without destroying or compromising the fort. When the British moved in closer to continue firing at the fort, their ships ran aground on sandbars, rendering them vulnerable and securing a victory for the Patriots.”
