The Fort Moultrie Flag, also known as “the Liberty Flag,” is a symbol of the enduring freedoms we all hold dear, yet also a story that many may not be all too familiar with.
First commissioned in 1775 by Colonel Willam Moultrie, its purpose was to become the representation of the newly created American nation during the Revolutionary War.
The Fort Moultrie Flag in Battle
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island became the flag's first official use, at least in battle, on June 28th, 1776, when Colonel Moultrie was in command of Fort Moultrie (formerly named Fort Sullivan) and was successful in defending the fort from a strong, relentless British naval attack.
During its first appearance in battle, the flag was shot down during what was a ten-hour bombing of the fort and surrounding area. Heroically retrieved by Sergeant William Jasper, the flag was once again raised and ready. Jasper’s heroics may very well have been the inspiration the troops needed in turning the tide of the battle toward ultimate victory for the revolutionaries.
Had Charleston fell at that critical time in the war’s initial stages and the British gained control of the key strategic ports, it would have been devastating to the morale of the new nation. This victory was also the first against a vastly superior naval force, and at that time showed the strength of the American forces' resolve.
The Legacy of the Liberty Flag
Over time, the flag became the symbolic representation of South Carolina’s militia and remains a symbol of hard-fought liberty in southern states today.
What is truly fascinating about the Liberty flag is its many uses, designs and representations that have evolved over the 250 years of use.
Colonel Moultrie’s first design appeared as the half moon in the upper left corner and the word "liberty" inscribed within the half-moon. Other variations over the years have included "liberty" being moved from the half moon down to the bottom of the flag in block style lettering for what is a much more prominent role in the flag’s appearance.
Also interesting to note is the current version of the South Carolina state flag that clearly drew its inspiration for design from the Fort Moultrie flag, as it has a half-moon design on a blue background as well, but with a white palmetto tree placed in the center of the flag. The white palmetto addition acknowledges the fact that white palmetto logs were used in the building of Fort Sullivan's walls and other defenses against British bombardments.
Charleston’s liberation with the war’s end in December 1782 led to the Liberty Flag being the first flag flown in the south as an official American flag.
So let’s back up a bit to the flag’s origins once again.
The new American forces had just taken Fort Johnson on James Island - also in Charleston - and wanted a symbol to represent not only their defiance of British rule, but just as much a tribute to that victory.
Colonel Moultrie’s design incorporated colors and symbols from the uniforms his men wore, presumably so that would form a very quick and strong protective bond with it.
The crescent over the years has been speculated to be a representation of a “gorget,” a piece of throat armor worn in battle. It should be noted that nothing we researched indicates that anything historically corroborates this speculation, and more importantly Moultrie’s own writings always refer to the crescent design that appears quite clearly on his soldiers’ battle headgear.
The Liberty Flag in Moultrie's Own Words
So, who would have thought the twenty-three yards of blue cloth delivered to Colonel Moultrie in January of 1776 would have become this enduring symbol of South Carolina’s commitment to liberty and freedom?
Perhaps Colonel Moultrie’s own words from his memoirs are the best explanation:
“It was thought necessary to have a flag for the purpose of signals: (as there was no national or state flag at the time) I was desired by the council of safety to have one made, upon which, as the state troops were clothed in blue, and the fort was garrisoned by the first and second regiments, who wore a silver crescent on the front of their caps; I had a large blue flag made with a crescent in the dexter corner, to be uniform with the troops: This was the first American flag which was displayed in South-Carolina.”**
No matter how the flag came to be, when Sergeant Jasper leapt over the wall with deadly enemy fire raining down all around him, it's a given he did so with no thought to anything other than rallying his fellow troops to the first major victory of the young war. No thoughts to his personal safety, only to what they were beginning the long struggle for - freedom from tyranny.
So it is that the Fort Moultrie Flag, or “Liberty Flag,” remains an enduring symbol of pride and resolve for the folks of South Carolina and beyond.
