Teacher Resource Packet
Fort Moultrie 1776: The War's First Southern Victory
Fort Moultrie, SC
This lesson uses the 1776 Battle of Fort Sullivan to examine the role of contingency and material conditions in military history. Students analyze how the properties of palmetto wood contributed to the American victory, consider what the political significance of the victory was for the broader Revolution, and evaluate the story of Sergeant Jasper as a case study in how individual acts become historically significant.
This Packet Includes
- Learning Objectives & Essential Questions
- 5 Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
- 3 Reading & Activity Handouts
- Assessment Quiz (5 questions)
- Answer Key
Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Students will describe the tactical situation at Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776
- Students will explain how palmetto log construction contributed to the American victory
- Students will analyze the political significance of the Fort Sullivan victory for the broader Revolution
- Students will evaluate how individual acts like Jasper's become part of historical memory
Essential Questions
Keep these questions in mind as you work through this packet:
- How did the material properties of palmetto logs change the outcome of the battle?
- Why did this 1776 victory matter beyond South Carolina?
- What makes some individual acts of courage become famous while others are forgotten?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Fort Moultrie, SC? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Fort Moultrie, SC? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Fort Moultrie, SC? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Fort Moultrie: Official NPS History and Interpretive Resources
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What is the institution's mission?
How does that mission shape the presentation?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Fort Moultrie, SC? What does it tell you about the people involved?
South Carolina Council of Safety Minutes: Fort Sullivan, June-July 1776
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Fort Moultrie, SC? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Fort Moultrie Event Timeline
timeline
Students place key events in chronological order and add details
# Fort Moultrie Revolutionary Timeline
Instructions: Place the following events in order and add one detail about each.
- [ ] Battle of Fort Sullivan (Fort Moultrie)
- [ ] Victory News Reaches the North
- [ ] Fort Moultrie Falls to the British
- [ ] Sergeant Jasper Recovers the Flag
- [ ] Jasper Killed at Savannah
---
| Event | Date | Significance |
|-------|------|-------------|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Primary Source Analysis
graphic organizer
Structured analysis of Revolutionary-era documents
# Primary Source Analysis Worksheet
## Source Information
- Title: _________________
- Author: _________________
- Date: _________________
- Type: _________________
## Observation
What do you notice? (List 3 things)
1.
2.
3.
## Reflection
What do you wonder? (List 2 questions)
1.
2.
## Analysis
What does this source tell us about Fort Moultrie during the Revolution?
_______________________________________________
## Perspective
Whose voice is represented? Whose might be missing?
_______________________________________________
Key Figures Profile
worksheet
Research template for Revolutionary figures
# Revolutionary Figure Profile
## Basic Information
- Name: _________________
- Birth/Death Years: _________________
- Occupation(s): _________________
## Role in the Revolution
### Colonel William Moultrie
South Carolina colonel who commanded the garrison at Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776. His calm conduct during the British bombardment and his effective direction of the fort's artillery made the victory possible. The fort was renamed Fort Moultrie in his honor.
My questions about this person:
1.
2.
### Commodore Sir Peter Parker
Royal Navy commodore who commanded the British fleet during the June 28, 1776 bombardment of Fort Sullivan. His flagship HMS Bristol was hit more than 70 times. Parker himself was wounded when a fragment tore away part of his clothing. The fleet withdrew having failed completely.
My questions about this person:
1.
2.
## Reflection
Which figure interests you most and why?
_______________________________________________
Fort Moultrie in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
1. What makes Fort Moultrie significant in Revolutionary history?
2. Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
3. Name one event that occurred in Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
Answer:
4. Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?
5. Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.
Answer:
Fort Moultrie in the American Revolution
Fort Moultrie 1776: The War's First Southern Victory — Fort Moultrie, SC
- 1.What makes Fort Moultrie significant in Revolutionary history?Answer:A
Fort Moultrie played a significant role in the American Revolution as evidenced by the events we studied.
- 2.Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.Answer:True
Primary sources provide firsthand evidence about historical events.
- 3.Name one event that occurred in Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate event with reasonable explanation]
Students should identify a specific event and connect it to broader Revolutionary themes.
- 4.Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?Answer:A
Multiple perspectives help us understand the full complexity of historical events.
- 5.Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate connection]
Students should demonstrate understanding of the interconnected nature of Revolutionary events.