On 1 July 1776 she presented a stand of colors (two flags) to the 2nd SC Regiment. One flag was captured by the British as the siege of Savannah, 9 Oct 1779, Lt Bush and Sgt Jasper losing their lives trying to save it. The other flag was captured by the British at that fall of Charles Town, 12 May 1780.
Bio written in 1975 book "The Women of the American Revolution" by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Susannah nee Smith Elliott featured on pg. 31-32 :
"Susannah Smith Elliott
Colonel William Moultrie's second South Carolina infantry regiment had been working desperately through the heat of mid-June to fortify the island in Charleston Harbor in preparation for an expected British attack. There was no stone available on the sandy island, so the guns were mounted behind earthen parapets which were 16 feet thick and sheathed with palmetto logs. The fort was not quite finished when the British bombardment began - at 11 am on June 28, 1776. The enemy fire did not stop until 9:30 that night, and although about 40 patriots were killed or wounded, the palmetto and sand fortifications withstood the bombardment. The patriots repelled the British attack.
Just three days later, Susannah Elliot presented two military banners to the regiment in commemoration of their bravery during the attack on Fort Sullivan. The colors were very elegant - one of blue silk, the other of red - richly embroidered by Mrs. Elliott. These pennants were extremely important in the 18th century, when they were often used as a means of communication. At the presentation ceremony, Colonel Moultrie vowed that Mrs. Elliott's handsome banners would be "honorably supported and never tarnished" by the second regiment.
Susannah Smith Elliott was an orphan who had been brought up by her aunt, Rebecca Motte - a lady of staunch patriotic sympathies - and had lived with Mrs. Motte until her marriage to Colonel Barnard Elliott. Colonel Elliott was known to have raised and maintained a patriot regiment at his own expense.
The beautiful Mrs. Elliott was also quick-witted and resourceful. On one occasion, when three American officers were guests at her plantation, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of the British. She calmly showed her guests into a closet which contained a secret door. This disclosed a large hiding place in the back of the chimney. Two of the men entered, but the third attempted to escape through the woods. He was overtaken and cut down, but though the British searched the house thoroughly, the other two remained safely hidden.
The British officers then demanded to know if Mrs. Elliott's silver were buried in some nearby mounds of earth. She replied that the mounds were the graves of British soldiers who had died at her house. When the disbelieving officers ordered the mounds dug up, they found, to their chagrin, that she had been telling the truth. The silver, which they never discovered, was buried in a marsh not far away.
True to Colonel Moultrie's vow, the colors presented to the second regiment were never dishonored. In 1779 a sergeant carrying the colors was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savannah. Moments before his death he said "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to my regiment." Captured later by the British at Charleston, the colors were taken to England where they were deposited in the Tower of London."
Bio written in 1975 book "The Women of the American Revolution" by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Susannah nee Smith Elliott featured on pg. 31-32 :
"Susannah Smith Elliott
Colonel William Moultrie's second South Carolina infantry regiment had been working desperately through the heat of mid-June to fortify the island in Charleston Harbor in preparation for an expected British attack. There was no stone available on the sandy island, so the guns were mounted behind earthen parapets which were 16 feet thick and sheathed with palmetto logs. The fort was not quite finished when the British bombardment began - at 11 am on June 28, 1776. The enemy fire did not stop until 9:30 that night, and although about 40 patriots were killed or wounded, the palmetto and sand fortifications withstood the bombardment. The patriots repelled the British attack.
Just three days later, Susannah Elliot presented two military banners to the regiment in commemoration of their bravery during the attack on Fort Sullivan. The colors were very elegant - one of blue silk, the other of red - richly embroidered by Mrs. Elliott. These pennants were extremely important in the 18th century, when they were often used as a means of communication. At the presentation ceremony, Colonel Moultrie vowed that Mrs. Elliott's handsome banners would be "honorably supported and never tarnished" by the second regiment.
Susannah Smith Elliott was an orphan who had been brought up by her aunt, Rebecca Motte - a lady of staunch patriotic sympathies - and had lived with Mrs. Motte until her marriage to Colonel Barnard Elliott. Colonel Elliott was known to have raised and maintained a patriot regiment at his own expense.
The beautiful Mrs. Elliott was also quick-witted and resourceful. On one occasion, when three American officers were guests at her plantation, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of the British. She calmly showed her guests into a closet which contained a secret door. This disclosed a large hiding place in the back of the chimney. Two of the men entered, but the third attempted to escape through the woods. He was overtaken and cut down, but though the British searched the house thoroughly, the other two remained safely hidden.
The British officers then demanded to know if Mrs. Elliott's silver were buried in some nearby mounds of earth. She replied that the mounds were the graves of British soldiers who had died at her house. When the disbelieving officers ordered the mounds dug up, they found, to their chagrin, that she had been telling the truth. The silver, which they never discovered, was buried in a marsh not far away.
True to Colonel Moultrie's vow, the colors presented to the second regiment were never dishonored. In 1779 a sergeant carrying the colors was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savannah. Moments before his death he said "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to my regiment." Captured later by the British at Charleston, the colors were taken to England where they were deposited in the Tower of London."
On 1 July 1776 she presented a stand of colors (two flags) to the 2nd SC Regiment. One flag was captured by the British as the siege of Savannah, 9 Oct 1779, Lt Bush and Sgt Jasper losing their lives trying to save it. The other flag was captured by the British at that fall of Charles Town, 12 May 1780.
Bio written in 1975 book "The Women of the American Revolution" by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Susannah nee Smith Elliott featured on pg. 31-32 :
"Susannah Smith Elliott
Colonel William Moultrie's second South Carolina infantry regiment had been working desperately through the heat of mid-June to fortify the island in Charleston Harbor in preparation for an expected British attack. There was no stone available on the sandy island, so the guns were mounted behind earthen parapets which were 16 feet thick and sheathed with palmetto logs. The fort was not quite finished when the British bombardment began - at 11 am on June 28, 1776. The enemy fire did not stop until 9:30 that night, and although about 40 patriots were killed or wounded, the palmetto and sand fortifications withstood the bombardment. The patriots repelled the British attack.
Just three days later, Susannah Elliot presented two military banners to the regiment in commemoration of their bravery during the attack on Fort Sullivan. The colors were very elegant - one of blue silk, the other of red - richly embroidered by Mrs. Elliott. These pennants were extremely important in the 18th century, when they were often used as a means of communication. At the presentation ceremony, Colonel Moultrie vowed that Mrs. Elliott's handsome banners would be "honorably supported and never tarnished" by the second regiment.
Susannah Smith Elliott was an orphan who had been brought up by her aunt, Rebecca Motte - a lady of staunch patriotic sympathies - and had lived with Mrs. Motte until her marriage to Colonel Barnard Elliott. Colonel Elliott was known to have raised and maintained a patriot regiment at his own expense.
The beautiful Mrs. Elliott was also quick-witted and resourceful. On one occasion, when three American officers were guests at her plantation, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of the British. She calmly showed her guests into a closet which contained a secret door. This disclosed a large hiding place in the back of the chimney. Two of the men entered, but the third attempted to escape through the woods. He was overtaken and cut down, but though the British searched the house thoroughly, the other two remained safely hidden.
The British officers then demanded to know if Mrs. Elliott's silver were buried in some nearby mounds of earth. She replied that the mounds were the graves of British soldiers who had died at her house. When the disbelieving officers ordered the mounds dug up, they found, to their chagrin, that she had been telling the truth. The silver, which they never discovered, was buried in a marsh not far away.
True to Colonel Moultrie's vow, the colors presented to the second regiment were never dishonored. In 1779 a sergeant carrying the colors was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savannah. Moments before his death he said "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to my regiment." Captured later by the British at Charleston, the colors were taken to England where they were deposited in the Tower of London."
Bio written in 1975 book "The Women of the American Revolution" by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Susannah nee Smith Elliott featured on pg. 31-32 :
"Susannah Smith Elliott
Colonel William Moultrie's second South Carolina infantry regiment had been working desperately through the heat of mid-June to fortify the island in Charleston Harbor in preparation for an expected British attack. There was no stone available on the sandy island, so the guns were mounted behind earthen parapets which were 16 feet thick and sheathed with palmetto logs. The fort was not quite finished when the British bombardment began - at 11 am on June 28, 1776. The enemy fire did not stop until 9:30 that night, and although about 40 patriots were killed or wounded, the palmetto and sand fortifications withstood the bombardment. The patriots repelled the British attack.
Just three days later, Susannah Elliot presented two military banners to the regiment in commemoration of their bravery during the attack on Fort Sullivan. The colors were very elegant - one of blue silk, the other of red - richly embroidered by Mrs. Elliott. These pennants were extremely important in the 18th century, when they were often used as a means of communication. At the presentation ceremony, Colonel Moultrie vowed that Mrs. Elliott's handsome banners would be "honorably supported and never tarnished" by the second regiment.
Susannah Smith Elliott was an orphan who had been brought up by her aunt, Rebecca Motte - a lady of staunch patriotic sympathies - and had lived with Mrs. Motte until her marriage to Colonel Barnard Elliott. Colonel Elliott was known to have raised and maintained a patriot regiment at his own expense.
The beautiful Mrs. Elliott was also quick-witted and resourceful. On one occasion, when three American officers were guests at her plantation, they were surprised by the sudden appearance of the British. She calmly showed her guests into a closet which contained a secret door. This disclosed a large hiding place in the back of the chimney. Two of the men entered, but the third attempted to escape through the woods. He was overtaken and cut down, but though the British searched the house thoroughly, the other two remained safely hidden.
The British officers then demanded to know if Mrs. Elliott's silver were buried in some nearby mounds of earth. She replied that the mounds were the graves of British soldiers who had died at her house. When the disbelieving officers ordered the mounds dug up, they found, to their chagrin, that she had been telling the truth. The silver, which they never discovered, was buried in a marsh not far away.
True to Colonel Moultrie's vow, the colors presented to the second regiment were never dishonored. In 1779 a sergeant carrying the colors was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savannah. Moments before his death he said "Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life supporting the colors she presented to my regiment." Captured later by the British at Charleston, the colors were taken to England where they were deposited in the Tower of London."
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