Ten days of skirmishing on beaches, creeks, and marshes climaxed on June 28, 1776 with the British attempt to cross Breach Inlet during the bombardment of Fort Sullivan. Colonel William "Danger" Thompson and 780 American Patriots had dug trenches and erected two fortifications of palmetto logs to protect this end of Sullivan's Island. You are near their first line of defense.
After extensive scouting, maneuvering, and fighting, the British generals realized that crossing the treacherous and well-defended inlet would be dangerous. Nonetheless, they sent hundreds of men in 15 armed flatboats across the inlet supported by warships, artillery, and infantry. The Americans repelled the attack and defeated the British army of 3,000.
Meanwhile, 435 American soldiers under the command of Colonel William Moultrie held Fort Sullivan in a dramatic, day-long battle against the British navy. The story of their heroic defense is told at Fort Moultrie.
"The Land Forces on Long Island in the meantime strained every Nerve to effect a Landing . . . but the Eighteen Pounder with Grape shot spread Havock, Devastation, and Death, and always made then retire faster than they advanced."American Leader Richard Hutson
"They would have killed half of us before we could make our landing good."British Soldier William Falconer
on Long Island
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