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Days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Battle of Fort Moultrie (then known as Fort Sullivan) resulted in a significant American victory over the British. Earlier that year, a crude palmetto-log fort had been built on Sullivan's Island as a first line of defense for Charleston, South Carolina. On June 28, the formidable British fleet, under the command of Sir Peter Parker, attacked. The small American force, led by Colonel William Moultrie, held its position despite all-day shelling. Moultrie later described the scene as "one continual blaze and roar; and clouds of smoke curling over...for hours together." Even though the British had far superior firepower at their disposal, the spongy palmetto logs and sand that comprised the American fort absorbed most of the enemy shells before they could explode. During the bombardment, the fort's flag—a distinctive silver crescent on a blue field—was shot down by the British. Ignoring heavy gunfire, Sergeant William Jasper retrieved the standard and replanted it on the fort's rampart. At nightfall, the defeated British withdrew.
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