On Shelf One:
The Revolutionary War in South Carolina: Profiles in Leadership by Steven D. Smith and Kevin Dougherty, 2025.
Beginning with an overview of South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution, this title examines many of the notable figures who played a hand gaining its independence. Smith and Dougherty worked together to provide thorough overviews of the following Revolutionary War figures: Henry Laurens, Richard Furman, William Jasper, John Rutledge, Thomas Sumter, Francis Marion, Isaac Shelby, Nathanael Greene, Daniel Morgan, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Henry Lee, Hezekiah Maham, Rebecca Motte, William Moultrie, and Andrew Pickens.
Crescent Moon Over Carolina: William Moultrie and American Liberty by C. L. Bragg, 2013.
Major General William Moultrie's dauntless efforts played a major role in America securing its independence from the British, as well as South Carolina's design of a state flag. On June 28, 1776, nine British naval ships began a bombardment of Charles Town (Charleston.) Patriots led by Moultrie's 2nd South Carolina successfully defended the harbor at Fort Sullivan and held off a fleet of British warships for nine continuous hours. The actions of those patriots that day helped delay British occupation of Charleston for another 4 years. Fort Sullivan was renamed Fort Moultrie in his honor. The emblem of Moultrie's troops was a blue flag with a white crescent in the upper left corner. On January 28, 1861, the palmetto tree was officially added to commemorate the victory and represent the state.
On Shelf Two:
We focus on our "Revealing the Revolution" Challenges that opened on April Fool's Day - not because we want to "fool you" into learning about the most important war in our country's history (because we would not be a country without it) but because it gives you plenty of time to participate and complete the challenge before the 250th anniversary. Visible on the display shelf is a "Revealing the Revolution" game sheet ballot drop box, a reduced surrogate of the Robert Mills 1825 map of Beaufort District, and the official trifold brochure. Upon the shelf lay the Revealing the Revolution Car Sticker (a prize), Challenge Coin (a higher completion level prize), and the official bifold brochure.
We put the challenge details in our post, Relive the Revolution with the Beaufort County Library, April 1- July 2, 2026. We do so hope that you will choose to participate.
On Shelf Three:
Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution by Walter B. Edgar, 2001.
From 1775 to 1782, South Carolina had a pivotal role to play throughout the American Revolution. From the backcountry of the Carolinas to the first victory of the southern campaign in the Battle of Williamson's Plantation, Edgar tackles both the massacres and the victories of what is often referred to as America’s first Civil War in the Palmetto State. Partisans and Redcoats is an extremely useful resource providing valuable insights into the enduring impact of a state that changed the course of freedom forever.
Battleground, South Carolina in the Revolution by Warren Ripley, 1983.
Battleground highlights many of the military actions that occurred on South Carolina soil during the American Revolution. Some skirmishes have been omitted from this inventory due to a lack of importance or extant information about the actions. Yet there are still more than sixty engagements for readers to learn about. The title even includes diagrams, maps, photographs, and sketches paired with the comprehensive and impressively meticulous overviews of South Carolina battlegrounds.
South Carolina and the American Revolution: A Battlefield History by John W. Gordon, 2003.
Did you know that historians estimate that about one third of all combat acts (battles, skirmishes, etc.) of the American Revolution occurred in South Carolina? Many encounters occurred in the years between 1775 and 1783 among Patriots, militia units, Native Americans, British regulars, Tories (or Loyalists) and the Continental troops. South Carolina and the American Revolution immerses the reader in the documented battles that took place in the Palmetto State during this time and proves how the state's efforts directly led to America's independence from Great Britain.
The blue placard shaped like a manila folder fixed to the back of the case at shelf three represents the BDC's extensive vertical files. Vertical files hold materials such as clippings, pamphlets, or articles pertaining to the subject of the file. These files act as a gateway; they can provide context that may point researchers to a new path of resources. If you are interested in learning more about the importance and use of these files, check out The Value of Historical (and Permanent) Vertical Files.
We have the following American Revolution related vertical files available to view in the BDC:
- VF ARSENAL (BUILDING)
- VF BEAUFORT VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY
- VF FORT BALFOUR
- VF FORT MOULTRIE
- VF HAMILTON, PAUL 1762-1816
- VF HISTORY--REVOLUTION 1775-1783
- VF LAFAYETTE, MARQUIS DE 1757-1834
- VF LOWCOUNTRY REVOLUTIONARY WAR TRAIL
- VF MARSH TACKIES
- VF PINCKNEY, CHARLES C. 1746-1825
- VF PORT ROYAL ISLAND, BATTLE OF, 1779
- VF PURYSBURG, BATTLE OF, 1779
- VF WASHINGTON, GEORGE 1732-1799
On Shelf Four:
The Fabric of Liberty: The Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina by Alexander Moore, 2012.
Reflections of Rebellion: Hours with the Living Men and Women of the Revolution by Benson John Lossing, 2007.
First published in 1889, this title contains little known narratives and notes on memories and mementos of the Revolutionary War. During his travels in June of 1848 Lossing came into contact with a very elderly General Ebenezer Mead, a former soldier of both the Connecticut militia and the Continental army. Upon learning of Mead's wartime encounters, Lossing realized that the stories of the men and women who lived through the Revolutionary War needed to be memorialized before they died. Reflections of Rebellion recounts 21 stories of men, women, and children whose memories of the War have now been preserved for generations to remember. Included is the story of Rebecca Motte, a heroine from South Carolina who helped Francis Marion's soldiers set her own house ablaze to drive out British troops.
South Carolina Provincials: Loyalists in British Service during the American Revolution by Jim Piecuch, 2023.
This is the first published comprehensive history of South Carolinian Loyalists and their actions in support of the British during the American Revolution. Based on primary source research including records rarely consulted, the result provides a much clearer picture of the Revolutionary War at the local level in southeastern states. South Carolinians living in the backcountry were often far away from government administration and affiliation with the Patriotic cause. The backcountry Royalist troops experienced varying degrees of success. In 1781, the troops withdrew from the backcountry into British held Charleston, then to British East Florida. From there some relocated to Canada or other British colonies to begin new lives after the conclusion of hostilities.
Pinned to the back of the display case just above shelf four are placards highlighting other BDC resources about the War of Independence. For online and continuing resources related to the American Revolution, the BDC's WordPress Blog has got you covered. The American Revolution In Lowcountry South Carolina: A Resource Guide by Cassandra Knoppel contains a recommended list of online resources, materials available for checkout through the SCLENDS consortium, and materials available to view inside of the Beaufort District Collection. Speaking of the BDC, a festive archival item in our inventory happens to be the American Revolution Bicentennial Scrapbook of 1776-1976. The finding aid is available to view on our WordPress blog and the scrapbook is available to view inside of our research room with an appointment made ahead of time. Please see below for how to schedule an appointment!
-
If you are interested in any of the materials I have shared today, or wish to explore our collection for yourself, walk-ins are sometimes accepted while appointments are always encouraged. To make an appointment, send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or give us a call at 843-255-6468. We hope to hear from you soon!
Please note this schedule change: The Library system will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in honor of Memorial Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment