The Wiregrass Chapter of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the New China Restaurant at 7:00 p.m. with President Wilder Smith presiding. There were 21 people in attendance including six guests.
President Smith called on Registrar Dess Smith III, to present the Wiregrass Chapter with the National Society Sons of the American Revolution President General's Education Outreach Streamer & Certificate. This Award was for surpassing the required number of new colonial era historic or educational programs that are presented annually. Compatriot Steve Burke represented the Wiregrass Chapter during the Elijah Clarke Hornet Nest's event at the Elijah Clarke State Park in February 2022 by displaying four tables of his relics that were viewed by over 200 attendees.
Compatriot Burke also displayed four tables of relics at the vendor section of the Pine Tree Festival, this year. His display was viewed by thousands, and he talked with hundreds of attendees.
The program for the evening was presented by Mike Lisenby, whose presentation was on the Battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. This battle was successfully won by Charleston's recruit artillerymen against a powerful British Royal Navy Squadron on the 28th of June 1776. The Royal Navy had 274 cannons and two mortars mounted on 10 British warships and 30 transports carrying their 2,500 troops. The British Navy was commanded by Commodore Sir Peter Parker and the British troops were commanded by Major-General Sir Henry Clinton. The American forces had 6,500 troops that were commanded by Colonel William Moultrie. During the battle, the fort was struck by several thousand cannon balls, but the palmetto trunks used in the structure absorbed the shock of the strikes which helped the fort's structure remain intact. The American gunners were protected by the sixteen-foot-thick sand and timber walls and suffered few casualties. American's casualties were 17 dead and 20 wounded. 7,000 British cannon balls were collected on Sullivan's Island after the battle.
