JFK+50: Volume 5, No. 1947
CHARLESTON SURRENDERED 236 YEARS AGO TODAYCharleston, South Carolina (JFK+50) Two centuries and thirty-six years ago today, May 12, 1780, the city of Charleston, which had been under siege since April 1st, surrendered to British forces.
The Battle of Charleston marked the greatest loss suffered by the American army in the Revolutionary War. Also, the 42 day siege was the longest of the war. Patriot forces, numbering 5466, lost 92 killed, 148 wounded and 5266 captured.
The British Navy sailed into Charleston Harbor on April 1, 1780 sporting 260 guns with an additional 40 set up at Fort Moultrie. It became increasingly clear that the Americans could not defend the harbor.
On May 11th, British cannon balls lit up the city burning several Charleston homes and General Benjamin Lincoln asked General Charles Cornwallis for terms of surrender. The Patriots gave up their weapons, ammunition and supplies.
British forces moved further into South Carolina setting up bases at Camden, Cheraw, and Fort 96 near Greenwood.
SOURCES
"The Battle of Charleston," www.myrevolutionarywar.com/
"The British Take Charleston, May 12, 1780," www.hobart.k12.in.us/
The Siege of Charleston State Marker
Marion Square
Charleston, SC
May 7, 2013
Photo by John White
