MOULTRIE, NVILLIAll (1731-18051. An American soldier, prominent in the 11evolutionary \ r. 11e was born in `oath Carolina. received an ordinary education. and in the Cherokee troubles, of 1761 was a military vaplain. Though closely eonnected with Inn ny of the loyalists, lie early tot.]: sides with the Patriot Party. In 1775 he was the representative of Saint Helena Parish in the Smith Carolina Provincial Congress. and later in the Sil Ole year was chosen colonel of a South f'arolina regiment. For some time there after he was busily in providing for the defense of Charleston, and to this end placed a battery al Iladdrell's Point and ( \larch. 17711) began the ereet ion of a rude forl of palmetto logs on IS1:11141. This fort commanded the entrance to the harbor. and on .Tune 2Stli was fiercely but unsuccessfully attacked by Admiral Sir Peter Parker. who was finally forced to withdraw. 'Moultrie had undertaken the de fense against the advice and wish of his superior ollieer, General Charles Lee. For his success he received the thanks of Congress, and in his honor the fort was named Fort Moul trie. In September of the same year he
was made a brigadier-general and was put in command of the Department of Georgia and South Carolina. Ile defeated the British under General Gardner at Beaufort in February, 1779, and, by obstructing the advance of Prevost in May. enabled Charleston to prepare for its de fense, finally entering the city and holding chief command until the arrival of General Lincoln. On the surrender of Charleston in May, 1780, he became a prisoner, but in February, 1782, he, with several others, was exchanged for Burgoyne. He was made a major-general in October of that year, and subsequently was twice (in 1785 and in 1794) elected Governor of South Carolina. Ile retired to private life after his second term and died at Charleston. September 27, 1805. Ilis Memoirs of the Berolution as far as it related to the States of North and. South Carolina (2 yob.,., 1802) was written in part while he was a prisoner, and was finished in later years.