The placing of the gun was just the beginning of a long history for Sullivan’s in defending Charleston against enemies. It saved the city in the early 1700's from an attack by a Spanish-French fleet. It also helped keep Charleston safe from pirates in 1718. Years later, on June 28, 1776, one of the first naval battles of the American Revolution took place on Sullivan's.

Sullivan's Island

Charleston faced its most formidable enemy on that day when a British fleet of nine ships entered the harbor in an attempt to take Charleston. However, a fort, now known as Fort Moultrie, built of palmetto logs defended the city from the British attack. The original fort was in ruins in 1791 when President George Washington visited the island. It was rebuilt in 1798 but destroyed by the hurricane of 1804. The fort that stands today was built in 1809.

The fort built in 1809 also played a major role in the War Between the States. It was held by the Confederacy and although ultimately unsuccessful in its attempts, Fort Moultrie helped to defend Charleston against federal ironclads in 1863. The fort was eventually abandoned in February of 1865.