Sullivans Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Sullivan’s Island
Here at Breach Inlet in June 1776, Americans commanded by Colonel William “Danger” Thompson repelled a British attempt to capture unfinished Fort Sullivan by land. The British planned a coordinated land and sea assault to establish a base of operations for taking their ultimate prize – Charles Town.
Troops under Colonel Thompson, a prominent civic and military leader from the South Carolina Backcountry, opposed British land forces camped on Long Island (now Isle of Palms) across Breach Inlet. British Major General Henry Clinton and Lord Charles Cornwallis intended to cross Breach Inlet, march to the other end of Sullivan’s Island, and storm Fort Sullivan from the rear while British warships bombarded the fort from the harbor. The success of the Patriot defenses at Breach Inlet and Fort Sullivan was a major setback for British efforts to stifle American independence.
“Resolved, That the thanks of the United States of America be given to Major General Lee, Colonel William Moultrie, Colonel William Thompson, and the officers and soldiers under their commands; who, on the 28th of June last, repulsed, with so much valour, the attack which was made on the State of South Carolina, by the fleet and army of his Britannic Majesty.”
July 20th, 1776
“ . . . my Life and Fortune are devoted to the Cause of the thirteen United States of America & to the general propagation of Liberty . . . ”
William Thomson
17727 – 1796
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1776.
Location. 32° 46.487′ N, 79° 48.868′ W. Marker is on Sullivans Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is on Jasper Boulevard (State Highway 703), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Thomson Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sullivans Island SC 29482, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Victory at Breach Inlet (here, next to this marker); Charles Town in the American Revolution (here, next to this marker); Liberty or Death (here, next to this marker); Thomson Park (here, next to this marker); Breach Inlet / Military History (a few steps from this marker); British Attack at Breach Inlet / Battery Marshall (a few steps from this marker); Lord Cornwallis (approx. 0.4 miles away); African American Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sullivans Island.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a map showing the American camp on Sullivan’s Island, the British camp on Long Island and the Breach Inlet between the two. It contains the following captions:
Grounded British Warships Three warships run aground attempting to bypass the fort to fire from the rear.
British Ships A squadron of support vessels waits out of range.
British Warships Commodore Sir Peter Parker and warships attack the fort.
Fort Sullivan Colonel William Moultrie and 435 Americans defend the fort later named Fort Moultrie.
Mount Pleasant American forces on the mainland defend against attack from land or sea.
American Forces Colonel William Thomson and 780 troops defend against the British army on Long Island.
British Troops Soldiers fire from oyster banks, marshes, and beaches.
British Flatboats Troops in 15 armed flatboats prepare to cross Breach Inlet.
British Warships Armed ships take positions to support the flatboats with gunfire.
British Forces Generals Clinton, Cornwallis, and Vaughan, and 3,000 British troops occupy Long Island.
British Ships Troop transports and other vessels support the British army.
ABOVE: This map is a composite of 1776 British maps of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. Note that Breach Inlet was more than a mile wide at the time.
The lower right of the marker contains a picture of “An artistic representation of Colonel William Thomson.”
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 801 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.