At the beginning of the war, the British tried unsuccessfully to capture Charleston, South Carolina, the primary port in the southern colonies. They hoped its fall would turn the South in its favor. London publisher William Faden issued these three views illustrating the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, which occurred at the entrance to Charleston’s harbor on June 28, 1776. The top and bottom left scenes depict the rebel encampments and fort, hastily constructed of spongy palmetto logs and sand. The use of these absorbent materials helped the fort withstand the attack by British cannons. The bottom right view shows Charleston after the ten-hour battle.