Fort Moultrie

This fort is both older and newer than most of the forts we’ve visited.  It was important to the Revolutionary War and still monitored the coast during World War II. Charleston is a critical coastal city so this fort was kept up-to-date over the years.  It was an interesting mixture of eras as you walk around the fort.  These are cannons and guns from Civil War era, the 1870’s, and the 1920’s.

The fort defended Charleston from British ships early during the Revolutionary War.  The battle was the first major seacoast engagement where the states won, so it was important for our confidence. The American commander for this battle was William Moultrie.  Later versions of the fort were named in honor of him.

In 1861, Confederates fired on Union-held Fort Sumter and started the Civil War.  After 2 days of bombardment, the Union forces surrendered.  Confederates held both this fort and Fort Sumter for the rest of the war.  Fort Sumter is an island in the middle of the harbor.

One section was World War II equipment and included radio rooms to contact nearby batteries.  This post coordinated defense around Charleston. All that plus I could have fun making echoes in the rooms and halls!