QUICK FACT FRIDAY

As we celebrate our Nation's birthday, the Historical Commission is using the pages of its Quick Fact Friday to focus on local history at that time. As many are aware and as featured in last week's Quick Fact Friday, the Lowcountry was seized by the British during the Revolutionary War. Another brief account follows.

The siege began in early April of 1780 when the British marched on Charleston via James Island as part of Britain's renewed focus on the southern colonies. Although the American colonists were drastically out numbered 2 to 1, they held off the British army for over a month. However, after numerous forts were captured by the British, including Lempriere's Point Battery and the Shem Creek Lunette in Mount Pleasant, the Continental Army had no choice but to retreat. On May 12, 1780, with the unconditional surrender of Major General Benjamin Lincoln to British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, the British captured approximately 5,266 prisoners, 311 artillery pieces, 9,178 artillery rounds, 5,916 muskets, 33,000 rounds of ammunition, 212 hand grenades, 15 Regimental colours, 49 ships and 120 boats, plus 376 barrels of flour, and large magazines of rum, rice and indigo. Thankfully, this devastating blow did not slow the resolve of the Continental Army!

For more information: SC Battleground Trust / Mount Pleasant Revolutionary War Map, Mount Pleasant Historical Marker Map, and Historical Markers in Mount Pleasant.

Image credit: https://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/800401-charleston/

The Town of Mount Pleasant Historical Commission releases Quick Fact Fridays about the history of Mount Pleasant and about the Commission, its programs and activities. Historical facts are drawn largely from the Our History section of the Town's website. Follow the link below to discover what makes Mount Pleasant such a distinctive historical place! To receive Quick Fact Friday messages and other Town notifications, sign up for Notify Me alerts here.

Our History

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