An internet search of “the best state flags” yields dozens of polls and ratings. They all seem to come to a consensus—the South Carolina state flag is one of the most appealing.
With its simple design of a white crescent and palmetto tree on an indigo field, it consistently holds top 10 status in rankings across the web, from the North American Vexillological Association (they study flags) to funflagfacts.com, which gives our banner the number-one spot. It looks good waving atop a pole or adorning hats, koozies or whatever you want to use to show pride in our state.
It’s not just the aesthetics that make it so special. It is what it represents. Every element in the flag harkens back to the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, which took place on June 28, 1776. At what was then called Fort Sullivan, a small force of American soldiers thwarted the initial attempt by the British to capture Charleston, and in the process, handed the world’s greatest navy its first defeat in 100 years.
The soldiers for the South Carolina regiment were clad in deep blue uniforms, likely colored by indigo, a valuable crop in the state’s economy. Their caps were adorned with a white crescent. Although easily interpreted as a moon, the symbol represented the metal gorgets worn in the battles of ages past.
Flying above the still-unfinished fort was a flag that matched—a white crescent in the left corner of a blue field. This iconography was determined by their commander, Col. William Moultrie. It was the first American flag displayed in South Carolina, according to the colonel’s memoirs.
For more than nine hours, Moultrie’s regiments withstood bombardment from the British fleet’s 300 cannons. Their defense was aided by the unique physical properties of the fort’s walls, made from sand and Sabal palmetto logs. Instead of shattering from the impact, the soft but sturdy logs absorbed the iron cannonballs.
At one point, the flag was shot down, but Sgt. William Jasper restored the banner while under enemy fire. Jasper would add to his legend with more heroics during the war. Although he left no descendants, his legacy and name live on. South Carolina’s Jasper County, along with numerous other communities across the nation, are named for him.
The British fleet finally withdrew late that evening, leaving Charleston free from attack for another four years. It was one of the first significant Colonial victories of the Revolutionary War. Days later, the Declaration of Independence was ratified in Philadelphia.
The fort was soon named after Col. Moultrie. The flag he designed was known as the Liberty Flag. The palmetto would become the state tree and the central icon on the current state flag.
Surprisingly, there is not a standardized version of the banner, so the legislature recently established a committee of historians to propose an official design. As we consider what the palmetto tree should look like or which way the crescent should face, I hope we reflect on what happened on that fateful June day 245 years ago. I think about the resiliency of that fort and the men who were defending it, and it fills me with pride for my state.
That pride is multiplied when I think about the resiliency of my fellow South Carolinians over the last few years. We have absorbed our own bombardments—the costly failure of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant, natural disasters and, of course, the coronavirus pandemic.
We have our heroes, too, some with the name recognition of Sgt. Jasper, but many others who have protected us without fame. They restore our power lines, help neighbors in need and give support to the elderly and the young.
Often forgotten was that the British took Charleston four years later, but the spirit of the 1776 battle was never defeated. When the city was liberated at the end of the war in 1782, the Moultrie flag was raised again.
There may be more for us to absorb in the coming years, but we should continue to be inspired by South Carolina’s rich Revolutionary War heritage. Keep breathing, keep hoping, and stand proud under our common banner.