"CRESCENT" FLAG OF

FORT SULLIVAN, SC

The Crescent Flag, used in the historic defense of Fort Sullivan (now Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, SC, in Charleston Harbor) against the British in June, 1776 by Colonel William Moultrie, was the first American flag used in the South during the American Revolution.

Colonel, later General, Moultrie stated in his memoirs that: "as there was no national flag at the time, I was desired by the Council of Safety (on September 13, 1775, upon the taking of Fort Johnson, on James Island, in the harbor) to have one made; upon which, as the State troops were clothed in blue and the fort was garrisoned by the men of 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 displayed in the South."