Crescent Moon over Carolina: William Moultrie and American Liberty

by Cordell L. Bragg III

Overview

Crescent Moon over Carolina examines the life of Major General William Moultrie (1730-1805) who is best remembered for his valiant defense of an unfinished log fort on Sullivan's Island at the entrance to Charleston harbor against a determined British naval attack on June 28, 1776. While the Continental Congress in Philadelphia considered a draft of the Declaration of Independence, Moultrie and his garrison of South Carolinians proved that untested, but courageous, American soldiers could stand firm and prevail against British might.

Every fort that has since occupied the site has borne his name, but Moultrie was more than the iconic defender of Charleston. Postwar he served two terms as governor and became one of South Carolina's most influential elder statesmen during the early years of the American Republic.

In this first and only book-length biography of William Moultrie, C. L. Bragg combines a scholarly survey of lowcountry South Carolina culture, the American Revolution, and the early political history of the state and the United States. Bragg also brings to light primary sources that are published here for the first time—revealing documents that provide fresh insight into the political and cultural values of Moultrie and his fellow South Carolinians.

Crescent Moon over Carolina offers engaging narrative, detailed maps, and beautiful illustrations that will stand as an important addition to the body of literature for those interested in Revolutionary South Carolina. Bragg leaves us with a clearer understanding of Moultrie—a political and military leader who counted among his friends, associates, and correspondents many of our nation's ardent patriots and founding fathers. Moultrie's service to state and country has earned him a respected place in history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643364285
Publisher:	University of South Carolina Press
Publication date:	12/14/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	392
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

C. L. Bragg is the author of Distinction in Every Service: Brigadier General Marcellus A. Stovall, C.S.A. and coauthor of the critically acclaimed Never for Want of Powder: The Confederate Powder Works in Augusta, Georgia, also published by the University of South Carolina Press. Bragg's interest in William Moultrie was sparked while researching his family's South Carolina heritage and his personal connection to the Revolutionary War.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

Prologue 1

Part I

1 The Second Son 5

2 A Military Apprenticeship 13

3 A Shadow Government 23

4 A Martial Spirit 29

5 The Dawn of Revolution 35

Part II

6 Open Rebellion 45

7 "I never was uneasy" 51

8 The Eve of Destruction 59

9 Never Did Men Fight More Bravely 70

10 America's First Absolute Victory 80

11 South Carolina's Senior Brigadier 88

12 Crisis in Georgia 96

13 An Army Mostly Composed of Militia 103

14 Port Royal to Briar Creek 113

15 "Let us Burgoyne them" 122

16 "We will fight it out" 133

17 Lost Opportunity at Stono Ferry 142

18 "We were sure of success" 150

19 "I think they cannot pass this way" 157

20 "Had Moultrie been in command" 164

21 "It was our last great effort" 174

22 Prisoner of War 183

23 Exchange and Repatriation 195

Part III

24 Restoring Civil Government 209

25 South Carolina's Cincinnatus 219

26 Canals, Constitutions, and Commissioners 226

27 "The honor of being one of your family" 234

28 Security Without and Within 244

29 The Governor and Citizen Genet 253

30 "Brother love to the brave Republicans" 262

31 The Lion in Winter 271

Epilogue 281

Notes 287

Bibliography 329

Index 347

What People are Saying About This

Richard W. Hatcher III

Long overdue, C. L. Bragg's biography of William Moultrie admirably fills a major gap in South Carolina, Revolutionary War, and American history. Well researched and written Crescent Moon over Carolina places Moultrie in his rightful place alongside Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter in the pantheon of the state's heroes in the War for Independence.

Carl P. Borick

C.L. Bragg's Crescent Moon over Carolina is a welcome and refreshing look at one of South Carolina's traditional heroes. An excellent addition to the history and biography of the Revolutionary War, Bragg's work provides a thoroughly researched, new perspective on both the triumphs and tragedies of Moultrie's military career and private life.

J. Mercantini

Bragg offers a rich narrative into the day-to-day activities of Moultrie leading up to the battle, and covers other military events in the South in detail.

Walter Edgar

Crescent Moon over Carolina is the saga of a man who was the very epitome of a statesman: a man of principle, integrity, and courage—in public office, in civic affairs, in uniform, and in private life. In this first-ever biography of William Moultrie, C. L. Bragg has eloquently captured the man and his times.

David K. Wilson

C.L. Bragg provides the most in-depth examination to date of the life of William Moultrie. His highly readable prose is supported by deep, scholarly research that reveals both the public and private life of Moultrie, who played a critical role in both the Revolutionary War and the history of the early Republic.

Editorial Reviews

Carefully researched and written, Crescent Moon over Carolina is recommended for both undergraduate and graduate students of southern history.

Michael P. Morris

This biography of Moultrie is certainly needed. It will become the standard reference for any researcher interested in virtually any aspect of Moultrie's life and career...

South Carolina Historical Magazine

Crescent Moon over Carolina offers an engaging narrative, detailed maps and beautiful illustrations that will stand as an important addition to the body of literature for those interested in Revolutionary SC.

Lowcountry Companion

Crescent Moon over Carolina offers an engaging narrative, detailed maps and beautiful illustrations that will stand as an important addition to the body of literature for those interested in Revolutionary SC. -- Lowcountry Companion


Carefully researched and written, Crescent Moon over Carolina is recommended for both undergraduate and graduate students of southern history. Michael P. Morris The Journal of Southern History


Bragg offers a rich narrative into the day-to-day activities of Moultrie leading up to the battle, and covers other military events in the South in detail. -- J. Mercantini, Choice Magazine


This biography of Moultrie is certainly needed. It will become the standard reference for any researcher interested in virtually any aspect of Moultrie s life and career . . . --South Carolina Historical Magazine


C.L. Bragg provides the most in-depth examination to date of the life of William Moultrie. His highly readable prose is supported by deep, scholarly research that reveals both the public and private life of Moultrie, who played a critical role in both the Revolutionary War and the history of the early Republic. David K. Wilson, author of The Southern Strategy: Britain's Conquest of South Carolina and Georgia, 1775-1780.


Crescent Moon over Carolina is the saga of a man who was the very epitome of a statesman: a man of principle, integrity, and courage in public office, in civic affairs, in uniform, and in private life. In this first-ever biography of William Moultrie, C. L. Bragg has eloquently captured the man and his times. Walter Edgar, author of South Carolina: A History


C.L. Bragg s Crescent Moon over Carolina is a welcome and refreshing look at one of South Carolina s traditional heroes. An excellent addition to the history and biography of the Revolutionary War, Bragg s work provides a thoroughly researched, new perspective on both the triumphs and tragedies of Moultrie s military career and private life. Carl P. Borick, author of A Gallant Defense: The Siege of Charleston, 1780, and Relieve Us of This Burthen: American Prisoners of War in the Revolutionary South, 1780 1782.


Long overdue, C. L. Bragg s biography of William Moultrie admirably fills a major gap in South Carolina, Revolutionary War, and American history. Well researched and written Crescent Moon over Carolina places Moultrie in his rightful place alongside Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter in the pantheon of the state s heroes in the War for Independence. Richard W. Hatcher III, historian, Fort Sumter National Monument

From the Publisher