Grays Hill in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Battle of Port Royal Island

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 17, 2008

1. Battle of Port Royal Island Marker

Inscription.
Near the old halfway house, in the vicinity of Grays Hill, on February 3, 1779, a force of South Carolina Militia, Continentals, and volunteers, including men from Beaufort, under General William Moultrie, defeated the British in their attempt to capture Port Royal Island.

Erected by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Beaufort County Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Beaufort County Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1779.

Location. 32° 28.849′ N, 80° 44.387′ W. Marker is in Grays Hill, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is on Trask Parkway (U.S. 21) near Parker Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is within a grove of trees. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaufort SC 29906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Port Royal Agricultural and Industrial School (approx. one mile away); Port Royal Agricultural School / Beaufort County Training School (approx. 1.2 miles away); Battery Saxton

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(approx. 3.6 miles away); 1st SC Infantry Of African Descent (approx. 3.7 miles away); Beaufort (approx. 4.2 miles away); Re-interred 19 African-American Civil War Volunteers (approx. 4½ miles away); Address by President Lincoln (approx. 4½ miles away); Beaufort National Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away).

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Battle of Port Royal Island Marker

At left, in background, is southbound US 21.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Battle of Port Royal Island Marker

At right, in background, is northbound US 21.

Battle of Port Royal Island at St. Helena's Church Cemetery, Beaufort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 21, 2008

4. Battle of Port Royal Island at St. Helena's Church Cemetery, Beaufort

Here lie the bodies of Lieut. William Calderwood and Ensign John Finley of Col. Prevost's British troops killed in battle near Gray's Hill Feb. 3. 1779 Buried here Feb. 5 1779. Rest in peace

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,660 times since then and 138 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.