3 February 1779 A.D. GEN William Moultrie Successfully Defends Port Royal, SC from British Assault

3 February 1779 A.D.  GEN William Moultrie Successfully Defends Port Royal, SC from British Assault

Editors. “1779 – Colonial forces lead by General William Moultrie successfully defend Port Royal, South Carolina, against a British attack.”  This Day in U.S. Military History. N.d. https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/february-3/.  Accessed 2 Feb 2015.

1779 – Colonial forces lead by General William Moultrie successfully defend Port Royal, South Carolina, against a British attack. The British approached and tried to force the Americans to leave Beaufort, Moultrie was waiting with 300 militia, 20 Continentals, and 3 cannon. The Americans repulsed their attack in less than an hour. The Americans had to fight in the open while the British had some cover from the woods. The Americans knocked out one of the British guns and erased the British advantage early in the battle. The Americans had run out of ammunition and Moultrie ordered a retreat. At the same time, he learned that the British were also retreating. He then countermanded his retreat order and told his mounted troops to advance upon the retreating British. The British were able to escape by boat to Savannah and Moultrie moved his force south to rejoin General Benjamin Lincoln. British losses were heavy and they soon retreated to their ships. The American victory discouraged the British Army from taking any further action into South Carolina for 3 months.