As the people of South Carolina see it, you can read about history in a book or, even better, you can experience it firsthand. And for military history, there is no better place to visit than the Palmetto State, where America�s Armed Forces first took root and, centuries later, continue to thrive on historic soil.

From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, South Carolina and its people have played a vital role in every military conflict of our nation. Physically, the Palmetto State is small, ranking 40th among the states in size. But within its 31,000 square miles lies an enormous vault of living history, meticulously preserved by a people who cherish the past and its lessons.

�Few states can claim to have affected American military history to the extent that South Carolina has,� said Dr. Andrew Myers, a professor of American studies at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg and an expert on S.C. military institutions. �Battles fought on its soil shaped the colonies, contributed to independence and began the Civil War. The state has served as a staging area and training ground for U.S. ventures abroad. It has produced people who distinguished themselves on the battlefield as well as those who helped to win wars by taking leading roles in government and business."

In a single, well-planned trip to South Carolina, visitors can explore Revolutionary War battle sites, cruise by boat to the fort where the Civil War began, examine a Confederate submarine and a World War II aircraft carrier, and tour more than a dozen historic battle sites. South Carolina is also home to some of our nation�s finest military bases, representing all branches of the American Armed Forces, where visitors can see the proud culmination of more than two centuries of military excellence at work. (Although, please take note that some bases are continuing to limit civilian access at this time because of increased security during the War on Terror.)

Here�s a quick guide to South Carolina�s military history, divided by region and designed to give an overview of what awaits you on a military history tour of the state.

THE COAST

The Lowcountry of South Carolina � and Charleston in particular --- is arguably the most history-rich region of the South. Here, pivotal battles of the Revolutionary and Civil wars took place, and military history was made in buildings that still stand.

Begin your journey on the beach at Sullivan�s Island, where FORT MOULTRIE is operated by the National Park Service. Here, the colonists drove back British forces with a crudely built palmetto-log fort that looked vulnerable, but easily absorbed the cannons of the British, leading to their speedy retreat. This victory over a fleet of nine British warships, which occurred in June 1776, led to South Carolina�s adoption of the sturdy Palmetto as its state tree (and enduring emblem on its state flag), and Colonel William Moultrie became the namesake for the fort.

Fort Moultrie, occupied by the Confederates, also played an important role in the Civil War, withstanding Federal bombardments over a 20-month period in 1863.

The fort was officially deactivated in 1947 and became a National Park Site in 1961. For a $2 adult admission ($1 for children), visitors can see the fort�s original walls and powder magazines, as well as weapons and fortifications that date from the 1820s through World War II. Fort Moultrie is at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan�s Island; call (843) 883-3123.

FORT SUMTER, also a National Monument, is renowned as the site of the first shot of the Civil War. The mortar shell that was launched from Fort Johnson (on what is now known as James Island) ignited a 34-hour battle between Confederate and Union soldiers in 1861. From that seminal battle, Fort Sumter became a Confederate stronghold throughout the war and was evacuated only when General William Sherman�s army captured Columbia in 1865.

Fort Sumter is located in Charleston Harbor and reached only by boat. Tour boats leave from the City Marina on Lockwood Drive or from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. For schedules, call (843) 722-1691. Adult tickets are $11; children 6 to 11 are $6; the excursion takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. For departure times, call (843) 881-7337 or 1-800-789-3678. From Fort Sumter, it�s a natural progression to visit THE HUNLEY, the Confederate submarine that was the first sub to sink an enemy ship in battle. The Hunley, which has been called the most significant maritime find of the century, disappeared in the waters off of Charleston Harbor 138 years ago, just after firing the shot that sank that USS Housatonic. The sub was discovered intact and raised in August 2000 and is now studied at the old Naval Base in North Charleston, awaiting its permanent home, while scientists explore its secrets. The Hunley was found almost perfectly preserved, and the remains of its eight-member crew have been recovered and are being readied for burial in Charleston�s Magnolia Cemetery. Archaeologists and conservators continue to work on the Hunley, hoping to learn why it sank, so tours are only offered on weekends at this time. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. For information, call the Friends of the Hunley at (843) 722-2333 or visit www.hunley.org.

Jump ahead to the 20th century with a visit to PATRIOTS POINT NAVAL AND MARITIME MUESEUM, just across the Cooper River Bridge in Mount Pleasant. This is the home of the World War II aircraft carrier, The Yorktown. This vessel participated in numerous battles in World War II, patrolled the western Pacific during the Cold War years and recovered the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft to circle the moon.

Visitors can also see the destroyer Laffey, the submarine Clamagore and the Coast Guard cutter Ingham, along with vintage military aircraft and weaponry. You can also take a five-minute ride on a Navy Flight simulator via an F/A-18 whose mission is to seek and destroy Scud missile launchers in Iraq. Tours are self-guided, or arranged with a volunteer guide. Patriots Point is located at 40 Patriots Point Road, off Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Admission is $11 for adults; $5 for children 6 to 12. Call (843) 884-2727 for details.

Also of interest in the Charleston area: The renowned military school, THE CITADEL, was established in 1842 and is one of the last two military state colleges in the nation. The Citadel Museum offers a history of the school from 1842 to today, with military artifacts and equipment. During the school year, visitors are welcome at a colorful dress parade held each Friday at 3:45 p.m. Call (843) 953-3294 for details. And downtown, on the Charleston peninsula, you�ll find the historic EXCHANGE BUILDING, where South Carolina Patriots held protest meetings and elected delegates to the Continental Congress. The building, which includes a dungeon where Patriots were imprisoned during British occupation, is now a museum with wax figures and is open to the public. It�s at 122 East Bay Street; phone toll-free (888) 763-0448, or visit www.oldexchange@infoave.net.

Further down the South Carolina coast, PARRIS ISLAND is the renowned Marine Corp training base, located in Beaufort, near the site of 16th century French and Spanish settlements. Remains of two Spanish forts are still visible here, but the Parris Island Museum is the real draw for visitors who aren�t arriving for two weeks of boot camp. The 10,000-square-foot museum is open to the public at no charge and features exhibits on the Revolutionary and Civil wars, the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. It also offers a theater and archives. For information, call (843) 525-2951 or visit www.parrisisland.com.

THE MIDLANDS

The small city of Camden is a haven for horse lovers and those who enjoy gracious southern living, but 200 years ago, the land there wasn�t so peaceful and serene. No fewer than 14 battles of the Revolutionary War were fought here, and they are remembered today at the HISTORIC CAMDEN REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITE, 90 acres of history where visitors can view General Charles Cornwallis� headquarters, reconstructed military quarters and other historic buildings.

Re-enactments are frequently held to bring the history to life, the biggest of which is the Battle of Camden Remembrance Weekend, which features encampments and skits focusing on the punishment of American soldiers after the battle. For information, contact the site at (803) 432-9841; the address is 222 Broad Street, Camden; website, www.historic-camden.org.

Top guns train at Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter, and close by, you�ll find the POINSETT COMBAT WEAPONS RANGE COMPLEX, the only weapons range in the United States that allows the public to view the bombing maneuvers of our nation�s pilots. The complex consists of an air-to-ground gunnery range and an electronic combat range. It includes nearly 12,500 acres, 427 of which are actual impact areas. The complex is located south of Shaw AFB, on Hwy. 261 in Wedgefield, and is accessible from I-95, U.S. 76/378 and Hwy. 15. Call (800) 688-4748 or (803) 666-4272.

In 1865, General William Sherman and his troops arrived in Columbia and started fires that burned much of the city and its historic buildings. Still, there�s plenty in South Carolina�s Capital to see:

FORT JACKSON, named for President Andrew Jackson, is the Army�s largest training camp for soldiers in the United States. While security is tight at this time, visitors are welcome at the Fort Jackson Museum, with displays and exhibits recounting the history of training the American soldier. Admission is free. The museum is at 4442 Jackson Blvd.; call (803) 751-7419.

The local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy established the S.C. CONFEDERATE RELIC ROOM AND MUSEUM as a memorial to the state�s residents who fought in the Civil War. The museum is part of the WORLD WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING, built in 1935 to honor South Carolinians who fought in the first World War. The exhibits focus on the state�s military heritage from the colonial era to the present. Visit both at 920 Sumter Street; call (803) 898-8095. Also: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, at 1306 Hampton Street, was the site of the first Secession Convention, held in December 1860. The pulpit furnishings, slave gallery and portico are as they were then. Call (803) 256-4251.

THE UPSTATE

Anyone who watched �The Patriot,� Mel Gibson�s epic film about the Revolutionary War, remembers the cruel British leader based on the real-life general Banastre Tarleton. Tarleton�s troops met their match here in 1781, as the Battle of Cowpens marked a turning point in the Revolution. Today, the COWPENS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD celebrates the victory of Continentals, militia and Calvary over the British regulars. Visitors can examine authentic Revolutionary War weapons, including a full-sized replica of a British �Grasshopper� cannon. �Daybreak at Cowpens,� a multi-media presentation, provides a fascinating look at the battle and is shown daily on the hour at the Visitor Center. The battle site is located at the junction of S.C. 11 and S.C. 110, two miles easy of Chesnee. Call (864) 461-2828; or visit www.nps.gov./cowp.

A short drive away, KINGS MOUNTAIN MILITARY PARK in Blacksburg is another site of a key victory of the Patriots over the British. Here, visitors can watch an 18-minute film detailing the battle, then walk the one and one/half mile battlefield trail, which includes a burial site, U.S. monument and other markers. The National Park Service manages the site, which also includes a museum. Call (864) 936-7921.

One of the best preserved battle sites of the Revolution is NINETY SIX NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, where the first land battle of the war took place in 1775. Five years later, Ninety Six fell into the hands of the British, who converted it into one of their major outposts until the war was over. Today, re-enactors from all over the Southeast come to Ninety Six to recreate the clashes between the Patriots and Loyalists. The program, which includes living history demonstrations, cannons and encampments, is held in April on alternate years; the next one is scheduled for 2003.

The grounds of the Ninety Six National Historic Site feature the Star Redoubt, a star-shaped earthen fortification that has survived intact for 200 years, a restored 19th century log cabin, and the stockade fort. The site also includes a one-mile trail, a museum and visitor�s center. It is located on S.C. 248, south of the town of Ninety-Six. Call (864) 543-4068, or visit www.nps.gov/nisi.

If you saw �The Patriot,� you�ve seen parts of HISTORIC BRATTONSVILLE, where much of the Mel Gibson blockbuster movie was filmed. Brattonsville was the site of the Battle of Williamson�s Plantation, also called the Battle of Huck�s Defeat, in which the Patriots defeated the British in July of 1780. Today, the battlefield is preserved within Historic Brattonsville, 720 acres of living history that showcases life in Carolina from the Revolution through the mid-19th century. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, Brattonsville is one of the largest restoration and living history sites in the Southeast. Living history programs are scheduled the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Self-guided tours take visitors through 29 historic structures and programs, including an award-winning farm with rare breeds of farm animals. Historic Brattonsville is at 1444 Brattonsville Road in McConnells; call (803) 684-2327.

Also of note: The 16th SC Volunteers MUSEUM OF CONFEDERATE HISTORY houses a collection of Confederate relics and artifacts, both military and personal, along with a research library. The museum is at 15 Boyce Avenue in Greenville, in the city�s Pettigru Historic District; call (864) 421-9039. ###

Media Contact: Melissa Williams +1 803-734-0193 mwilliams@scprt.com