| Name | Liberty flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 10:19 |
| Adopted | June 14, 1776 |
| Design | White crescent, and the word LIBERTY, in dark blue |
The Moultrie Flag, also known as the Liberty Flag, was a key flag flown in the United States Revolutionary War.
The Liberty flag was designed by commission, in 1775 by Colonel William Moultrie, to prepare for war with Britain.
It was flown by his troops in the successful defense of Sullivan's Island against the British fleet in June, 1776.
Fighting back stridently during a ten hour bombardment and seige, Moultrie's forces (primarily the 2nd South Carolina Regiment) eventually caused the invaders to withdraw entirely, saving Charleston from invasion and conquest until four years later.
During this battle, the flag was actually shot away, but a Sergeant William Jasper ran out in the open and hoisted it again, apparently rallying the troops until a new stand could be provided. This dramatic event, along with the pivotal role of the battle itself, earned the flag a place in the hearts of the people of South Carolina.[1]
It therefore became the standard of the South Carolina militia, and when the war officially ended with the liberation of Charleston, on December 14th, 1782, it was presented by General Nathaniel Greene's "Southern Continental & Militia Army", as the first American flag to be displayed in the South.[2]
Iconic to the state as a symbol of freedom and the Revolution, eventually this was used as the foundation for the state's own flag. The fort was renamed Fort Moultrie,[3] and the flag is sometimes referred to as the Fort Moultrie Flag. It is occasionally rendered with the word LIBERTY separately in white, along the lower center of the flag.
In addition to being the basis for South Carolina's flag, it is the official flag of Moultrie County, Illinois.[4]
Along with the Gadsden flag, the Moultrie Flag has also become a symbol of the modern liberty movement.[5][6][7]