The Original Moultrie Golf Towel

Nowadays, when you see a flag titled 'Fort Moultrie Flag', you may expect to see the word 'LIBERTY' emblazoned on it, either inside the crescent, or along the bottom of the flag. However, 'LIBERTY' is most likely a recent addition and in reality, the original Fort Moultrie flag was pretty simple: A blue flag with a white crescent in the top left corner. The design originates from Colonel William Moultrie, who was tasked with designing a flag to display at the captured Fort Johnson to signal to the British that they were in command of the Fort. In describing his role of designing the flag, Colonel Moultrie wrote the following: "A little time after we were in possession of Fort Johnson, it was thought necessary to have a flag for the purpose of signals: I was desired by the Council of Safety to have one made, upon which, as the state troops were clothed in blue, and the fort was garrisoned by the first and second regiments, who wore a silver crescent on the front of their caps; I had a large blue flag made with a crescent in the dexter corner, to be in uniform with the troops: This was the first American flag which was displayed in South Carolina.” The next year, the flag was used in battle again as Moultrie and his men successfully defended Fort Sullivan (later renamed to 'Fort Moultrie'), and with it, the entrance to Charleston Harbor.