On June 28th, 2006 Jim DeMint, our Honorary Founding Chairman, gave the following remarks on floor of the U.S. Senate to commemorate the 230th anniversary of Carolina Day.
How well do you know your South Carolina history? In honor of South Carolina Day tomorrow, read on and test yourself!
Honoring
the 230th Carolina Day
by U.S. Senator Jim DeMint
Delivered on June 28th, 2006
June 28 is a great day in the history of my State of South Carolina and in the formation of our great Nation. You see, it is on this date that we celebrate Carolina Day.
Two
hundred and thirty years ago today, a small but determined group of fewer than
1,200 South Carolina patriots held off a British force that was more than twice
their size.
The
battle--which took place on Sullivan's Island, just outside the entrance to
Charleston Harbor--became the first major American victory of the Revolutionary
War.
Colonel
William Moultrie, who commanded the colonial troops, had few resources at his
disposal. So, he built a fort out of palmetto logs--a plentiful local resource.
Facing
such make-shift opposition, the British commanders thought they would easily
sweep into Charleston.
But
these amazing palmetto logs actually absorbed the impact of the British
cannonballs. This strengthened the American defense and gave the brave colonists
a critical advantage.
The
British were soundly defeated in a long, nine-hour battle. More than 200 of the
British were killed or wounded, compared to only 35 of Colonel Moultrie's
command.
Many
historians consider this battle to be one of the greatest defeats in the entire
history of the British navy.
Many
South Carolina heroes were made on that day.
One
such hero, Sergeant William Jasper, is recognized for saving the regiment's
flag after it was shot down by British fire. Seeing that it had been hit,
Jasper exclaimed, “Colonel, don't let us fight without our flag!”
Sergeant
Jasper then jumped into the face of enemy fire, walked the entire length of the
fort--in full view of the British and cut the flag from its broken pole. He
then added a new staff and replanted the flag back on the fort wall. Turning to
the enemy, he gave three cheers and returned to his gun.
That
flag--a blue banner with a white crescent--represented the dream of real
freedom to these patriots. And today, that historic banner still serves as a
source of pride and inspiration, as part of South Carolina’s official State
seal.
The
blue background and white crescent also serve as the basis of our beautiful
State flag, which incorporates a tall, proud palmetto tree ... in recognition
of the heroes of Fort Moultrie.
The
resounding American defense of the City of Charleston at Fort Moultrie gave our
fledgling Nation hope in the possibility of ultimate victory. And less than one
week later--on July 4, 1776--the Continental Congress forever changed the
course of history, signing our Declaration of Independence. …
As we
celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, may we always remember the
price that was paid for our freedom.
And
may we resolve that the sacrifice of our brave soldiers across the years--from
Fort Moultrie, SC, to Kirkuk, Iraq--will never have been in vain.*
