NEW BOOK: Learn about the palmetto flag, college’s impact and a big loss 

Staff reports  |  Here are three more factual snippets from the new book, 350 Facts About Charleston:

How the palmetto tree was added to the state flag

South Carolina’s Revolutionary Council of Safety asked Colonel William Moultrie to design a flag in 1775 for the state troops in preparation for the American Revolutionary War. The flag’s original design had the blue of the militia’s uniforms and a crescent, which some scholars say was really a military gorget. The palmetto was added in 1861 as a reference to Moultrie’s defense of Sullivan’s Island, the fortress on which had survived largely due to the ability of interwoven fibers of palmetto trees to absorb cannonfire and, thus, to withstand British attacks.

College of Charleston founders help start a nation

What does the College of Charleston and the United States have in common? Six men: three future signers of the Declaration of Independence and three future signers of the United States Constitution helped found Charleston College in 1770. The College of Charleston founders who also signed the Declaration of Independence include Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward. The founders that also signed the Constitution include John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Other founders of the college were or became federal and state lawmakers and judges, state governors, diplomats, and Charleston councilmen and mayors. 

Third attempt was biggest colonial loss of Revolutionary War

The Redcoats mounted their strongest attempt to take the Holy City in 1780 when Sir Henry Clinton’s 10,000-man army, supported by the Royal Navy, laid siege to the city from April 1 to May 12.  It was the longest siege of the Revolutionary War. It ended when Charleston and 6,000 colonial soldiers surrendered. The loss is considered the worst defeat of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and gave the British a foothold to try to retake the Southern states, a quest that ultimately failed. 

350 Facts About Charleston, a new book of historical facts commemorating the 350th anniversary of the city of Charleston, will be available in print in mid-September.  Published by the staff of sister publication, Charleston City Paper, you can pre-order a copy today.